CBAM Savings Calculator: How Much Do You Save by Documenting Your Actual Embedded Carbon?
Enter your sector, export volume, and actual embedded carbon intensity. The calculator shows your exact annual saving versus EU default values — and the return on investment from verification and storage.
Calculate Your CBAM Saving
Your Results
These calculations use EU Commission CBAM default emission values from Implementing Regulation 2023/1570 and the current EU ETS auction clearing price. Actual savings depend on your verified embedded carbon intensity. Verification cost range EUR 5,000–50,000 is indicative; obtain quotes from listed verifiers.
CBAM Savings by Sector — All Sectors at a Glance
Savings calculated at EUR 65.42/tCO₂ (current EU ETS price). Default values from CBAM Implementing Regulation 2023/1570 Annex III.
| Sector | Default tCO₂/t | Realistic Actual tCO₂/t | Saving/tonne | Annual saving on 10,000t | Annual saving on 50,000t |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel — BF-BOF (blast furnace) | 2.18 | 1.80 | EUR 24.86 | EUR 248,600 | EUR 1,243,000 |
| Steel — EAF (electric arc furnace) | 2.18 | 0.60 | EUR 103.36 | EUR 1,033,600 | EUR 5,168,000 |
| Primary Aluminium | 12.40 | 8.00 | EUR 287.85 | EUR 2,878,500 | EUR 14,392,500 |
| Secondary Aluminium (scrap-based) | 12.40 | 0.50 | EUR 778.50 | EUR 7,785,000 | EUR 38,925,000 |
| Cement | 0.81 | 0.65 | EUR 10.47 | EUR 104,700 | EUR 523,500 |
| Ammonia / Fertilisers | 2.326 | 1.80 | EUR 34.51 | EUR 345,100 | EUR 1,725,500 |
| Hydrogen (SMR) | 5.28 | 2.00 | EUR 214.58 | EUR 2,145,800 | EUR 10,729,000 |
Source: CBAM Implementing Regulation 2023/1570 Annex III. ETS price EUR 65.42/tCO₂. Realistic actual values based on modern facility benchmarks. Individual facility performance will vary.
Three-Year Projection — EAF Steel, 10,000 Tonnes
As the EU phases out free ETS allowances and the carbon price rises, the gap between default and actual values widens. Conservative ETS price assumptions: 2026 EUR 65.42, 2027 EUR 75.00, 2028 EUR 85.00.
| Year | EU ETS Price | Default cost — EAF steel 10,000t | Actual cost — EAF steel 10,000t | Annual saving | Cumulative saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | EUR 65.42/tCO₂ | EUR 1,422,148 | EUR 393,000 | EUR 1,029,148 | EUR 1,029,148 |
| 2027 | EUR 75.00/tCO₂ | EUR 1,635,000 | EUR 450,000 | EUR 1,185,000 | EUR 2,214,148 |
| 2028 | EUR 85.00/tCO₂ | EUR 1,853,000 | EUR 510,000 | EUR 1,343,000 | EUR 3,557,148 |
| 3-year total | — | EUR 4,910,148 | EUR 1,353,000 | EUR 3,557,148 | EUR 3,557,148 |
The Total Cost of Action vs Inaction
| Action (document actual emissions) | Inaction (use default values) |
|---|---|
| Verification: EUR 5,000–50,000 (one-off annual) | Pay default CBAM rates every year, compounding as ETS price rises |
| Storage: $499/year | For a primary aluminium producer at 10,000t: EUR 2,860,000/year in excess CBAM costs |
| Total cost of action: under EUR 55,000 | Cost of inaction: EUR 2,860,000+ per year, growing annually |
| That is a 52× return in Year 1 alone. This is not a compliance cost. It is a financial decision. | |
Why Default Values Are Set So High
The EU Commission deliberately set defaults at the 90th percentile of EU production emissions — meaning they assume your facility is dirtier than 90% of European facilities. For most non-EU manufacturers using modern equipment, actual emissions are significantly lower. The default is not a neutral starting point. It is a financial penalty for failing to document.
Source: CBAM Implementing Regulation 2023/1570 Annex III.
The Three Steps to Capture This Saving
- Step 1: Appoint an ISO 14065 accredited verifier. Find one in your country →
- Step 2: Verifier conducts site visit, reviews production data, issues verification statement.
- Step 3: Upload verification statement to embeddedcarbonrecord.com — permanent URL generated, share with your EU buyer. Total annual cost: EUR 5,000–50,000 verification + $499–4,999 storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't know my actual embedded carbon?
Leave the actual embedded carbon field blank. The calculator uses a realistic typical value for your sector. To capture the full saving, appoint an ISO 14065 accredited verifier to calculate and certify your actual figure.
Can I use this calculator for a real CBAM submission?
No. This calculator is for indicative financial planning only. CBAM submissions require verified actual emission values from an ISO 14065 accredited third-party verifier, or EU default values from Implementing Regulation 2023/1570.
Why are EU default emission values so high?
EU default values are set at the 90th percentile of EU production emissions — assuming your facility is dirtier than 90% of European facilities. For most non-EU manufacturers using modern equipment, actual emissions are significantly lower. Source: CBAM Implementing Regulation 2023/1570 Annex III.
How quickly can I get verified?
Verification typically takes 4–12 weeks depending on the verifier, sector complexity, and availability of production data. Find an accredited verifier in your country at the directory.
What does embeddedcarbonrecord.com charge for storage?
Annual fees: Starter $499/year (1 commodity line), Business $1,499/year (up to 5 commodity lines), Industrial $4,999/year (unlimited commodity lines + priority URL resolution SLA).
What if my actual emissions are higher than the default?
If your actual embedded carbon exceeds the EU default value, using default values is financially advantageous. This is rare for most modern non-EU facilities. A verifier can confirm your actual figure before you commit to a calculation method.
How often do I need to recalculate?
CBAM requires annual reporting. Each reporting year requires a new verified embedded carbon calculation. Annual renewal at embeddedcarbonrecord.com generates a new hash and updated verification URL.
Can my EU buyer use this page to calculate their liability?
Yes. EU importers can use this calculator to estimate the difference in their CBAM certificate cost using your default versus actual embedded carbon values. Share this page with your EU buyer alongside your verification URL.
Ready to Capture Your CBAM Saving?
Find an accredited verifier in your country, then store your verified calculation permanently. Your EU buyer's compliance depends on it.