Geneva: CORSIA, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, has reached its tenth anniversary, prompting the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to call on governments to strengthen the global framework for reducing aviation emissions. Adopted at the 2016 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly, the scheme established the first global market-based measure for an industrial sector.
The anniversary comes as policymakers consider the future of aviation climate policy, including the European Union’s review of its Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). IATA is urging governments to maintain a coordinated international approach, arguing that consistent implementation of CORSIA can support emissions reduction while preserving fair competition across the aviation industry.
According to IATA, more than 130 countries now participate in CORSIA. By the end of 2026, the scheme is expected to have mitigated approximately 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂). From 2027, it is estimated to cover around 85% of global aviation emissions. Over the scheme’s lifetime, up to $120 billion could be mobilised in climate finance for emissions reduction and carbon removal projects worldwide.
CORSIA Marks a Decade of International Aviation Climate Action
CORSIA was adopted in 2016, following the Paris Agreement a year earlier, to establish a coordinated framework for addressing emissions from international aviation. Its global approach distinguishes it from individual national or regional policies that may apply different requirements to airlines operating across borders.
For IATA, the scheme demonstrates how international cooperation can address a shared environmental challenge while supporting a level playing field for airlines. Its participation across more than 130 countries also highlights the importance of governments working together to implement common climate measures.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, described CORSIA as a landmark example of international collaboration. She emphasised that broad participation, consistent implementation and continued government support would be important to its long-term effectiveness.
The scheme’s potential climate finance contribution is another important element. IATA estimates that up to $120 billion could be mobilised through CORSIA by the end of the scheme, supporting emissions reduction and carbon removal initiatives around the world.
These projections underline the importance of maintaining a functioning global framework as aviation continues to address its decarbonisation challenges.
IATA Raises Concerns Over the EU ETS Review
CORSIA’s tenth anniversary coincides with the European Union’s review of the EU Emissions Trading System, which includes proposals that could affect international aviation routes.
According to IATA, the EU is considering extending the EU ETS to destinations within 5,000 kilometres of the EU, using Frankfurt as the geographical centre. The proposals also include a mechanism through which comparable carbon-pricing systems could be developed with third countries.
IATA argues that these changes could create overlapping regional or bilateral arrangements alongside CORSIA, potentially complicating the international framework for aviation emissions.
Thomas Reynaert, IATA’s Senior Vice President External Affairs, said the EU ETS review should reinforce CORSIA rather than encourage parallel systems. He also called for aviation-related revenues to support sustainable aviation fuels, infrastructure and emerging technologies instead of adding carbon costs that do not directly address the sector’s underlying energy constraints.
The association has also highlighted the absence of an impact assessment examining the proposed expansion’s potential effects on third countries, international connectivity, competitiveness and CORSIA’s operation.
IATA estimates that the proposed expansion could increase EU ETS compliance costs by 40%, reaching €280 billion over the 2027–2040 period. This is an estimate presented by the association rather than a confirmed outcome of the legislative process.
IATA’s Recommendations for Aviation Decarbonisation
IATA has shared recommendations with European policymakers as part of the ongoing EU ETS review. Its proposals focus on maintaining international coordination, accelerating sustainable aviation fuel production and directing aviation-related revenues towards measures that support long-term emissions reduction.
1. Strengthen CORSIA as the global framework
IATA wants the EU to support full and unified implementation of CORSIA for international aviation without extending the EU ETS extraterritorially. It also recommends removing the proposed “EU ETS as a Service” mechanism, which it believes could encourage parallel regional or bilateral carbon-pricing systems.
The association argues that a consistent international framework would reduce fragmentation and help maintain a common approach to aviation emissions.
2. Increase support for sustainable aviation fuels
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an important part of the industry’s efforts to reduce emissions. IATA recommends strengthening the EU’s SAF allowances mechanism so that greater support becomes available immediately rather than only from 2029.
It also calls for the removal of geographical production restrictions and additional conditions that could limit support for sustainability-compliant SAF pathways.
These recommendations reflect IATA’s position that accelerating fuel production and availability is essential to aviation’s longer-term decarbonisation efforts.
3. Direct aviation revenues towards cleaner technologies
IATA also recommends ringfencing aviation-generated EU ETS revenues for investment in SAF production, infrastructure and emerging aviation technologies.
Under this approach, revenues generated through aviation-related emissions policies would help fund measures intended to support the industry’s transition. The association argues that directing investment towards these areas could strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and long-term energy security.
Why the CORSIA Anniversary Matters for Aviation’s Future
The tenth anniversary of CORSIA comes at a significant point for international aviation climate policy. Governments face the challenge of reducing emissions while maintaining connectivity, managing compliance requirements and supporting the technologies needed for a lower-carbon aviation sector.
CORSIA’s international structure provides a common framework for participating countries, while the EU ETS review raises questions about how regional climate policies should interact with global arrangements.
For IATA, the priority is to strengthen the existing international mechanism and avoid overlapping systems that could create additional complexity for airlines and other countries. The association also wants policy measures to support practical emissions reduction through sustainable aviation fuels, infrastructure and emerging technologies.
Its recommendations have been submitted to European policymakers as the legislative review continues. The eventual direction of the EU ETS will influence how the region’s aviation emissions policies interact with the wider international framework.
As CORSIA enters its next phase, continued government participation and coordinated implementation will remain central to its effectiveness. The anniversary therefore serves not only as a milestone for international cooperation but also as an opportunity to consider how aviation climate policies can support measurable emissions reduction.
For further details, readers can consult IATA’s updated position on the EU ETS review and the organisation’s assessment of the proposed changes.
CORSIA and the Path Towards Global Aviation Decarbonisation
CORSIA’s first decade demonstrates the role of international cooperation in shaping aviation climate policy. With more than 130 participating countries and significant projected climate finance, the scheme remains an important part of the industry’s approach to addressing emissions from international flights.
IATA is calling for governments to reinforce that framework as the EU reviews its emissions trading rules. Its recommendations centre on unified implementation, greater support for sustainable aviation fuels and investment in infrastructure and emerging technologies.
The challenge ahead is to ensure that climate measures deliver meaningful emissions reductions while supporting international connectivity and industry competitiveness. For IATA, strengthening CORSIA and maintaining a coordinated global approach are essential steps towards that goal.
