The CBAM carbon border mechanism now brings more than €1 billion in additional revenue per year to the EU budget.

Omissions

• The claimed €1 billion+ is a Commission projection/estimate of future CBAM revenue, not money already being collected; the CBAM own resource is proposed to accrue to the EU budget only from 2028, so the 'now' (2026) framing is imprecise.
• The definitive CBAM regime began in 2026, but the first surrender of CBAM certificates takes place in 2027 (covering 2026 imports), meaning actual cash flow to the EU budget is limited or nil in 2026.
• Estimates vary: about €1 billion/year on average over 2026-2030 (KPMG citing the Commission) versus about €1.5 billion/year from 2028 (European Commission).

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Press corner Q&A 'An adjusted package for the next generation of own resources'It is estimated that the CBAM own resource will generate about €1.5 billion (2018 prices) per year as of 2028.
• SecondaryKPMG Meijburg — 'Revenues EU ETS and CBAM for the EU?'Revenues for the EU budget are estimated at around EUR 1 billion per year on average over 2026-2030. CBAM is not expected to generate...
• SecondaryBruegel — 'Broader border taxes: a new option for European Union budget resources'The Commission estimates that €1.5 billion from CBAM would accrue annually to the EU budget from 2028.
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament — EPRS briefing 'Mapping of existing, proposed and potential own resources' (BUDG_BRI(2026)783556)proposes to direct 75% of the revenues collected from CBAM to the EU budget, and estimates EUR 1.4 billion of annual revenue.
• SecondaryOne Click LCA — 'EU CBAM guide: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism'The first surrender of CBAM certificates will take place in 2027, covering emissions from goods imported in 2026. It must be completed by September 30, 2027.