ICAO Urges Greater Member State CORSIA Cooperation

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has reiterated its belief that member states need to “maintain a globally harmonized approach” to strengthen the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Notably, as member states “move from planning to implementing concrete action” to reduce international aviation emissions, ICAO believes it is “critical that these efforts remain aligned within [its] global framework.”

CORSIA is currently the only approved global system under which carbon credits—which can also help facilitate the adoption of SAF at scale—can be applied to emissions from international flights. The scheme is in its first phase, running from 2024 to 2026, during which participation is voluntary. Currently, 126 ICAO member states are participating. A mandatory second phase, set to run from 2027 to 2035, will apply to almost all international flights among ICAO’s member states.

At the 42nd ICAO Assembly, held in late 2025, the organization said CORSIA has been “supported unanimously,” ensuring that airlines around the world operate “under the same fair and consistent rules.” ICAO believes that cooperation between member states will “maintain a level playing field for all, ensure transparency, and strengthen trust among all [participating] countries.”