The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has marked a decade since the adoption of the ICAO resolution that established the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). This scheme, launched in 2016, aims to reduce aviation's carbon footprint through a global market-based mechanism and has seen participation from over 130 countries. By the end of this year, CORSIA is expected to have mitigated approximately 200 million tonnes of CO2, covering roughly 85% of international aviation emissions from 2027 onward.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability, highlighted the significance of CORSIA as a landmark in international climate cooperation. She stated, "As the first global, sector-wide climate agreement for aviation, CORSIA showcases the best of international collaboration: a global solution to a global challenge. It preserves a level playing field for aviation while channeling climate finance to support emissions reductions around the world."
The tenth anniversary coincides with the European Union's review of its Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The EU considers expanding the scope to destinations within 5,000km and creating mechanisms for equitable international carbon pricing. Industry experts warn that unless these measures reinforce rather than overlap with CORSIA, they could undermine its effectiveness. Recommendations include ensuring full implementation of CORSIA for international aviation and resisting extraterritorial expansion of the EU ETS.
There is also a focus on accelerating sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) development, with calls to strengthen support systems and remove geographic restrictions. Ensuring revenues generated from aviation ETS are dedicated to SAF infrastructure and emerging technologies is vital for Europe's competitiveness and climate goals.
Overall, stakeholders emphasize the importance of coordinated policies to maximize aviation emissions reductions, reinforcing international cooperation to ensure sustainable growth and climate responsibility in the sector.
