As the global energy transition accelerates, the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and renewable hydrogen (ReH₂) certification schemes are emerging as foundational instruments to align trade with climate ambition. On March 25, 2025, the MED-GEM Network convened stakeholders from across the Mediterranean region for its second monthly info session—a high-resolution snapshot of how regulatory design, market incentives, and cross-border cooperation are reshaping the trade-energy-climate nexus.
Convened virtually and moderated by Toufic Rizkallah, MED-GEM Network coordinator, the session gathered National Focal Points, Country Correspondants and European Commission representatives from DG MENA, DG ENER and DG TAXUD, focused on three pillars: Helpdesk feedback from March, the implications of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal for CBAM, and a strategic e-learning offer on hydrogen certification by the International PtX Hub.
As **Toufic Rizkallah, MED-GEM Network Coordinator**, emphasized in closing, **regional collaboration is the cornerstone of success**. While March saw participation from Morocco, Palestine, and Lebanon, broader involvement from other partner countries is essential. One participant suggested creating a shared repository of helpdesk Q&As. Rizkallah confirmed that **MED-GEM is preparing a consolidated knowledge report, to be disseminated at the end of the semester** – a promising step toward institutional learning.
**The session offered a synthesis of regulatory detail and market foresight. What emerged was a vision of the Mediterranean as a co-architect—not merely a passive recipient—of Europe’s decarbonized trade framework. With CBAM and ReH₂ certification gaining granularity, now is the time for exporters, governments, and investors to master the rules of engagement.**