Evaluating voluntary offset programs of major airlines

The document examines the role of offsetting in the aviation sector, specifically within the context of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) goal to limit net emissions growth to 2020 levels. It highlights the establishment of the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), noting that due to exemptions and non-participation by certain states, it is expected to cover only about three quarters of emissions above 2020 levels. The report aims to analyze the offsetting practices of over 30 air carriers to provide insights into industry trends and the quality of offsets used, which is critical given that cumulative demand for offsets through 2040 could reach nearly eight billion tonnes.

• The Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), adopted at the 39th ICAO Assembly in 2016, is projected to cover approximately 75% of emissions exceeding 2020 levels because of exemptions and the decision of some states with rapidly growing aviation hubs not to participate.
• There is a significant potential demand for carbon offsets in the aviation sector, with one study estimating a cumulative need for nearly eight billion tonnes of offsets by 2040.
• Policy makers generally agree that for offsets to maintain environmental integrity and effectiveness, they must be real, permanent, additional, measurable, and only counted once.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (2016). Evaluating voluntary offset programs of major airlines. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/ecologic-report-offsetting-in-the-aviation-sector/

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Evaluating voluntary offset programs of major airlines. 2016. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/ecologic-report-offsetting-in-the-aviation-sector/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Evaluating voluntary offset programs of major airlines |date=25 October 2016 |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/ecologic-report-offsetting-in-the-aviation-sector/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{carbonmarketwatch2016evaluating, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Evaluating voluntary offset programs of major airlines}}, institution = {Carbon Market Watch}, year = {2016}, month = oct, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/ecologic-report-offsetting-in-the-aviation-sector/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }