High-carbon goods imported to UK should be subject to new tariffs, say MPs

Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station. The government is being urged by MPs to establish a ‘carbon border’ to prevent the UK's drive for net zero emissions being undermined by cheap foreign imports. Photograph: David Davies/PA

High-carbon goods imported into the UK should be subject to new tariffs, to help ensure other countries are fulfilling their obligations to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions as well as the UK, an influential committee of MPs has said.

A carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) would penalise companies and countries trying to evade responsibility for cutting emissions, the MPs said, and provide an incentive for certain industrial sectors to move away from environmentally damaging practices.