CORSIA, ICAO's carbon offsetting and reduction scheme
which launched in 2016, has moved from its Pilot Phase into its
First Phase at the start of 2024. In this article, we look at how
the scheme works, its controversies and some of the latest
developments.
Background
In 2022 ICAO announced its long-term aspirational goal for
international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The
goal relies heavily on SAF – sustainable aviation fuel
– but, according to IATA, the aviation sector will not be
able to completely eliminate emissions at source and will have to
mitigate the remainder through offsetting – the process by
which emissions are offset by financing an emission reduction
elsewhere. Under CORSIA, ICAO's offsetting scheme for
aviation, aircraft operators on certain international flights will
be required to offset any increase in their emissions above a 2019
baseline level by purchasing CORSIA-compliant carbon credits.
