CORSIA is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, established through the International Civil Aviation Organization. It addresses growth in emissions from covered international flights through a combination of monitoring, eligible fuels and emissions units.
How obligations are calculated
Airlines monitor fuel use and report emissions from covered routes. The scheme determines an offsetting requirement based on sector growth and the applicable phase rules. Domestic aviation is not covered by CORSIA because it falls within national climate accounting.
Eligible emissions units
ICAO assesses carbon programmes and defines eligibility conditions for each compliance period. A credit must meet the programme, methodology, vintage and other restrictions in force for the airline's obligation.
This means a unit from an approved registry is not automatically eligible. Buyers need to check the exact category and any host-country authorisation or double-counting requirements.
Sustainable aviation fuel and credits
Airlines can reduce obligations through qualifying CORSIA eligible fuels. Carbon credits address remaining requirements but do not replace fleet efficiency, operational improvements and low-carbon fuel deployment.
Procurement risk
Airlines should monitor rule changes, forecast route-level obligations and contract for units with clear eligibility warranties. Delivery timing, replacement rights and registry evidence are central to procurement.
Sentinel Earth supports aviation buyers with eligibility analysis and high-integrity sourcing through our corporate carbon credit service.
