IBAC has welcomed a decision by ICAO to remove 2020 emissions levels from the calculation of the baseline of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), avoiding an undue burden on participating operators due to the effects of COVID-19 on air transport.

CORSIA is an offsetting scheme developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as part of the basket of measures to reduce carbon emissions from international civil aviation and an important mechanism toward achieving carbon-neutral growth from 2020. Business aircraft operators that emit annually more than 10,000 tonnes of CO2 in international flying are included in the scheme.

The decision applies only to the pilot phase of CORSIA, running from 2021 to 2023. ICAO will take into consideration at its 2022 assembly further analysis of the effects of the pandemic on air transport in 2020, deciding then on the need for any adjustments for the following phases.

Through the Business Aviation Commitment on Climate Change, IBAC favours a fair, equitable global market-based measure that complements the overall set of measures in aviation's four-pillar approach to reducing carbon emissions. Business aircraft have led for years the introduction of new, more fuel-efficient technologies, including more aerodynamic structures such as winglets, lighter materials and modern avionics. Moreover, the global business aviation community has undertaken a wide-ranging education and demonstration programme to promote the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels. These initiatives hold great promise for reducing emissions combined with reductions from CORSIA.

IBAC director Kurt Edwards says: “The council decision to remove 2020 emissions levels from the CORSIA is a solid first step for the pilot phase. We hope that ICAO's considerations for the next phases will fully recognise the exceptional circumstances caused by the pandemic. It is important that ICAO safeguard air transport from inappropriate economic burden as it pursues its mission to ensure the safe, secure, and sustainable development of the international aviation sector.”