Challenges to Data Sovereignty Under CBAM and China’s Legal Response

The EU's Carbon Boundary Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) poses a significant challenge to data sovereignty, especially for China and other developing countries. This paper systematically explores the legal nature of data sovereignty, the implementation process of CBAM and the data sovereignty conflicts it has triggered. It analyses how CBAM's requirements for emissions data disclosure affect China's legal and regulatory framework. In addition, the paper examines how other countries have responded to similar challenges and extracts valuable lessons for China's response. By assessing the international experience and the specific challenges faced by China, this study proposes a Chinese response strategy to strengthen China's data sovereignty while ensuring the necessary co-operation in the global carbon trading mechanism. The findings emphasise the need for China to improve its legal framework, strengthen cross-border carbon data regulation, and actively participate in international co-operation to mitigate the risks to data sovereignty under CBAM.