The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that the Supporting Alliance for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Eligible Emissions Unit (EEU) Supplyhas grown to 50 participating organisations, marking another step in efforts to increase the availability of high-quality carbon credits for the aviation sector.
The expansion comes as airlines prepare for the next phase of CORSIA, the global carbon offsetting scheme developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to help international aviation reduce its net carbon emissions. IATA confirmed the latest developments as part of its ongoing work to strengthen the carbon market supporting CORSIA.
Five more governments join the alliance
One of the alliance’s biggest developments is the addition of five national governments.
Guyana, Madagascar, the United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe have signed the Aviation Carbon Market Compact, officially joining the Supporting Alliance. IATA also said several other countries, including Peru, have expressed interest in participating.
The alliance was established to help increase the supply of CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) by supporting governments and carbon market participants in bringing high-integrity carbon credits to market more quickly.
Industry estimates suggest demand could reach 225 million to 250 million CORSIA-eligible emissions units by spring 2027, making additional supply essential as airlines work towards their compliance obligations.
New organisations strengthen technical expertise
The alliance has also welcomed several organisations from across the carbon market ecosystem.
The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA), the Verified Carbon Market Collaborative, carbon data company Sylvera, and aircraft manufacturer Airbus have joined the initiative, providing technical expertise and financial support for its activities.
Together, these organisations will help countries develop the policies, processes and technical frameworks needed to issue carbon credits that meet CORSIA’s eligibility requirements.
Helping countries participate in carbon markets
A key objective of the alliance is to help governments navigate the increasingly complex relationship between their national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and the requirements for making carbon credits available for use under CORSIA.
The initiative also aims to improve countries’ access to international carbon markets and climate finance while providing practical guidance on implementing carbon credit programmes.
By pooling expertise and resources, the alliance hopes to accelerate the supply of eligible carbon credits without compromising environmental integrity.
Building confidence in CORSIA
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist, said the growing number of participants reflects strong support for developing a robust carbon market for international aviation.
“The engagement of the governments of Guyana, Madagascar, the United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe, together with the support of partners from across the carbon market value chain, demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening the policy frameworks needed to expand the supply of CORSIA-eligible emissions units,” she said.
She added that cooperation across governments, airlines and carbon market participants will be essential to ensuring enough credits are available to meet future demand.
Supporting aviation’s climate goals
The aviation industry views CORSIA as one of the key mechanisms supporting its broader commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
As the scheme enters a new phase of implementation, ensuring a sufficient supply of high-quality carbon credits has become an increasingly important priority.
Alexia Kelly, Director of the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative at the High Tide Foundation, representing the Verified Carbon Market Collaborative, said CORSIA presents a significant opportunity to direct investment towards credible climate projects.
She said the alliance’s work to help countries authorise eligible carbon credits and improve access to carbon markets comes at an important stage in the programme’s development.
Collaboration across the carbon market
The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) also highlighted the importance of cooperation across the aviation and carbon market sectors.
Dirk Forrister, President and Chief Executive Officer of IETA, said the organisation supports the alliance’s efforts to bring together airlines, governments and carbon market specialists to develop a reliable and effective CORSIA market.
He added that unlocking the potential of international carbon trading mechanisms, including those established under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, will play an important role in supporting aviation’s long-term decarbonisation efforts.
Preparing for growing demand
As CORSIA moves further into its implementation phase, demand for eligible carbon credits is expected to increase significantly over the next two years.
The Supporting Alliance aims to help ensure that governments, project developers and market participants are prepared to meet that demand by improving access to high-quality emissions units while maintaining transparency, environmental integrity and confidence in the global carbon market.
For airlines, the initiative is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting compliance with CORSIA while contributing to the industry’s broader sustainability objectives.
