On 6 October 2016, the ICAO Assembly adopted the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, or CORSIA. It became the world’s first global market-based measure in any industry designed to address and reduce sector-wide carbon emissions.
Through CORSIA, Member States agreed that carbon-neutral growth would take effect in 2020 and that ICAO would urgently create and implement the technical framework needed to achieve that ambition. ICAO describes the agreement as an example of what multilateral cooperation and shared purpose can achieve when responding to global challenges.
From carbon-neutral growth to net zero by 2050
Since its inception, CORSIA has been designed to provide environmental integrity and regulatory certainty while supporting a level playing field and taking into account the special circumstances of individual States.
The scheme remains a core part of ICAO’s approach not only to carbon-neutral growth, but also to its longer-term aspiration of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from international civil aviation by 2050.
Both CORSIA and the net-zero aspiration received unanimous support from 192 ICAO Member States at last year’s ICAO Assembly.
Toshiyuki Onuma, President of the ICAO Council, said:
“ICAO Member States have recognized CORSIA’s strength in responding to the climate emergency through their unanimous Resolution at the ICAO Assembly,” remarked ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma. “This consensus reflects CORSIA’s central and leading role in providing the international solution to the global carbon emissions of an entire sector and confirms Member States’ collective will to maintain a globally harmonized approach, avoiding fragmented or duplicative measures.”
SAF and lower-carbon aviation fuels remain central
CORSIA is intended to complement advances in aircraft technology, operational improvements and the adoption of cleaner aviation fuels. According to ICAO, it also creates incentives for the development and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Lower Carbon Aviation Fuels (LCAF), allowing airlines to reduce emissions directly.
The harmonised sustainability framework established under CORSIA is also designed to support greater investment in and adoption of these fuels.
Over the past ten years, ICAO has worked to increase the number of eligible carbon credit programmes. At the same time, the volume of CORSIA-certified sustainable and lower-carbon aviation fuels used by the sector has more than doubled during the past two years.
ICAO also points to the continued fulfilment of CORSIA obligations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence of the scheme’s resilience and the aviation sector’s ongoing commitment.
ICAO calls for continued implementation and cooperation
As CORSIA moves into its next phase, ICAO says the scheme will bring new responsibilities for States and industry partners, together with further opportunities. The organisation will continue its capacity-building work to help Member States participate effectively and is calling for greater support for these activities.
Juan Carlos Salazar, Secretary General of ICAO, said:
“The continued success of CORSIA will rely on sustained cooperation, technical progress, robust implementation, and the ongoing review and inclusion of eligible carbon credit programmes and fuels,” remarked ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar. “ICAO is calling on all Member States and stakeholders to continue to stand together in enhancing CORSIA as the sole global measure addressing emissions from international aviation.”
Marking the tenth anniversary of the scheme, Onuma added:
“On this tenth anniversary, we urge all ICAO Member States and stakeholders to renew and strengthen their commitment to CORSIA, to lead the way in innovation, implementation, and ambition,” declared President Onuma.
Coming years seen as decisive for international aviation
ICAO says the next several years will be critical to the effectiveness of CORSIA. Priorities include accelerating the scale-up of sustainable aviation fuels, maintaining broad participation and ensuring robust compliance with the common international framework.
Salazar said:
“The coming years will be decisive: by working together, accelerating the scale-up of sustainable aviation fuels, and ensuring robust participation and compliance, we can deliver real and lasting emissions reductions across the global aviation sector,” remarked Secretary General Salazar. “Let us seize this opportunity to fulfill the promise of CORSIA and achieve a safe, prosperous, and truly sustainable future for international civil aviation and generations to come.”
Ten years after its adoption, CORSIA remains central to ICAO’s globally harmonised approach to emissions from international aviation, operating alongside technological progress, operational improvements and the increasing use of cleaner aviation fuels.
Is this conversation helpful so far?
