Carbon pricing's next chapter

A three-part series unpacking how Europe’s changing carbon market is shaping costs, competition, and strategy for industries around the world.

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Why carbon pricing matters

Carbon pricing makes polluting activities more expensive, giving companies a clear financial incentive to cut emissions. By putting a price on carbon, governments encourage cleaner energy, smarter resource use, and more sustainable business practices. This isn’t just a “green” idea anymore, it’s now a central part of global markets.

Understanding how carbon costs can shift, and how they ripple across industries and borders, is essential for any business looking to stay competitive and resilient.

Part 1: Carbon costs are coming, ready or not

The European Union’s carbon market is entering a new phase of uncertainty and volatility. What happens in Europe now shapes costs, risks, and decisions for companies around the world.

This first piece breaks down:

  • Why the future cost of emitting carbon in Europe is so unpredictable
  • The range of possible outcomes for carbon prices by 2030
  • Why businesses outside Europe need a plan

Read Part 1 to get a clear picture of how carbon pricing is shifting and why it’s becoming a global issue.

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Part 2: What EU-based companies should do to prepare for carbon pricing

For companies operating in Europe, rising carbon costs are not a distant possibility; they’re already reshaping costs and investment decisions. With significant uncertainty about where prices will go, the next few years will be critical for planning.

This blog looks at:

  • How companies can monitor the right signals to stay ahead
  • Why preparing for multiple scenarios makes more sense than predicting one outcome
  • What to do over the next 12 months to stay flexible and competitive

Read Part 2 for guidance on how to manage risks and build a resilient carbon price strategy.

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What’s next in Part 3

Part 3 highlights how the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is already affecting US and global firms. We outline which sectors face new costs and reporting in 2026, and the steps exporters and manufacturers need now to stay competitive under growing carbon regulations.

Coming soon

Get in touch with the experts

Philip Daus
Philip W. Daus
Partner
Houston, USA
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Jan Haemer
Jan Haemer
Partner
Frankfurt, Germany
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Michael Einstein
Senior Director
Silicon Valley, USA
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