Staff Writer
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has joined the Supporting Alliance for Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Eligible Emissions Units (EEU) Supply, in a move aimed at increasing the availability of carbon credits needed to meet international aviation emissions targets.
The announcement was made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during its World Sustainability Symposium in Brussels on October 13, 2026.The Alliance brings together more than 80 stakeholders involved in CORSIA to address bottlenecks limiting the supply of Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs), which airlines use to meet their carbon offsetting obligations under the international aviation emissions framework.
Its work focuses on providing practical implementation support, including helping countries navigate the processes required to authorise emissions units for use under CORSIA while preventing double counting.
The initiative also supports countries in aligning their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement with the requirements for authorising emissions units for international aviation.
Through access to technical expertise and practical resources, the Alliance seeks to help countries participate effectively in carbon markets and implement Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, which provides a framework for international cooperation in achieving climate targets.
Despite progress in issuing eligible emissions units ahead of the 2027 CORSIA compliance deadline, IATA said significant work remained to ensure adequate supply.
As of August 2026, 42 CORSIA-compatible Letters of Authorization covered 72 million EEUs, up from 40 million at the beginning of the year.
However, the available supply remains considerably below the estimated 200 million to 250 million EEUs required for the scheme’s initial compliance cycle.
IATA Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen said the growth in supply was encouraging but needed to accelerate to meet the sector’s requirements.
“The growth in EEU supply is encouraging, but the pace must accelerate. ICAO’s participation strengthens the cooperation needed among all stakeholders to unlock the needed supply,” she said.
Thomsen said ensuring adequate supply was essential for CORSIA to fulfil its objectives, describing it as the only globally agreed framework for addressing emissions from international air transport.
ICAO Deputy Director for Environment Tetsuya Tanaka said the organisation was working to ensure the successful implementation of CORSIA by governments, the aviation industry and carbon market stakeholders.
“Through close collaboration, we are ensuring that sufficient CORSIA EEUs will be available, and our participation in the CORSIA Supporting Alliance will strengthen the pathway to carbon-neutral growth,” Tanaka said.
CORSIA is designed to address the growth in international aviation emissions through a global framework that requires participating airlines to offset eligible emissions in accordance with the scheme’s rules.
ICAO’s participation in the Alliance is expected to strengthen cooperation among governments, airlines and carbon market stakeholders as the aviation industry prepares for the 2027 compliance deadline.
The development comes as the sector seeks to expand access to credible carbon credits while ensuring that emissions reductions are properly authorised and not counted more than once.