The draft relates to a global market-based measure that is aimed at retaining global net CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels. Change is very much in the air, for this latest step will see the abandoning of a mandatory scheme. In its place will be a voluntary plan that is aimed at covering years 2021 to 2026, with a subsequent (mandatory) phase that is intended to run from 2027 to 2035. If these plans go ahead, the least developed countries, as well as those with a minor share of international aviation activity, would be declared exempt. All ICAO members have been encouraged to participate on a voluntary basis as early as possible and indeed, some countries have already announced their participation.
If adopted by ICAO’s member states, the scheme dubbed CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) would represent the first ever global agreement to cover international emissions from an entire industry sector. By offering a phased approach, it is hoped that the scheme will become more accessible and narrow the differentiation that currently exists between developed and developing countries.
At present, the purpose of the pilot phase is somewhat unclear, although it is understood that this would allow participants to determine whether their aircraft operators’ offsetting requirements should be based on its emissions in a given year or in 2020.
