The European Energy Exchange (EEX) has introduced the CBAM Reference Price, a new weekly index designed to provide greater transparency around carbon pricing ahead of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) coming into full effect in 2026.

The index, first published on 29 August, will be released every Friday at 13:00 CET. It reflects the average price of EU Allowance (EUA) auctions conducted by EEX on behalf of EU member states and will be available in 31 currencies.

EEX said the new benchmark is intended to help companies assess the embedded cost of carbon in imports of goods such as electricity, hydrogen, and steel, providing a reference point to manage risk exposure and prepare for the EU’s post-transitional CBAM framework.

“The launch of the EEX CBAM Reference Price reflects our commitment to providing transparent market data for evolving carbon markets,” said Peter Reitz, CEO of EEX. “By publishing the reference price at the end of the trading week, we offer timely and valuable guidance to businesses globally as they prepare for CBAM.”

Alongside the weekly publication, EEX plans to release quarterly averages of auction prices starting in 2026, with historical weekly data from 2024 also available.