Det er et vigtigt aspekt af EU's klimapolitik at nedbringe risikoen for udflytning af CO2-emissionskilder (dvs. øget udledning af drivhusgasser i tredjelande, hvor der ikke er tilsvarende begrænsninger for drivhusgasemissioner) og undgå at pålægge visse energiintensive sektorer og delsektorer i EU, der er udsat for international konkurrence, et økonomisk pres.
Reducing the risk of carbon leakage (an increase in greenhouse gas emissions in third countries where industry would not be subject to comparable carbon constraints) and avoiding putting certain energy-intensive sectors and subsectors in the EU which are subject to international competition at an economic disadvantage, is an important consideration in EU climate policy.