Kasymaliev: Carbon regulation is becoming a factor in foreign trade

Differences in national rules on carbon emissions accounting could create new barriers to trade within the EAEU. Adylbek Kasymaliev, the Prime Minister, warned of this during his address at the latest meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in expanded format.

According to him, carbon regulation in some countries is already shifting from being an environmental tool to a factor in foreign trade. Companies may face additional requirements and costs when supplying products to foreign markets.

“Kyrgyzstan supports the harmonisation of climate policies within the EAEU. However, the national methodologies of the union’s member states must not restrict the free movement of goods or fragment the single market,” says Kasymaliev.

In effect, the EAEU must agree on how to account for the carbon footprint of products so that environmental standards do not become internal trade barriers.