There are many ways to achieve CO2 reductions that can be used as offsets, many of which bring other social, environmental or economic benefits. Such offsets can be sourced from a range of activities including wind energy, energy-efficient cooking stoves, methane capture, forestry and other emissions reduction or avoidance projects.
The type of offsets that are eligible under CORSIA is important in determining the effectiveness of the scheme. All stakeholders of CORSIA – governments, the aviation industry and environmental groups – want to ensure that offsets purchased under CORSIA deliver real environmental benefits.
To ensure the environmental integrity of CORSIA, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) technical groups developed the Emissions Unit Eligibility Criteria that must form an integral part of offset projects and related carbon offsets under CORSIA. The criteria stipulate that offset credit programmes should deliver credits that represent emissions reductions, avoidance, or sequestration that:
- are additional
- are based on a realistic and credible baseline
- are quantified, monitored, reported, and verified
- have a clear and transparent chain of custody
- represent permanent emissions reductions
- assess and mitigate against any potential increase in emissions elsewhere
- are only counted once towards a mitigation obligation
- do no net harm.
Aircraft operators are entitled to claim emissions reductions from the use of sustainable aviation fuels, provided they deliver at least 10% in greenhouse gas savings and are not made from biomass obtained from land with high carbon stock.