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The policy brief examines the climate impact of aviation, which contributes between 5% and 14% of global climate emissions. It critiques the reliance on offsetting, arguing that only a cap-and-trade system with a strict cap can deliver real in-sector reductions. The document analyzes ICAO's proposed measures, including a 'basket of measures' and various market-based options, while warning that low-quality offsets from mechanisms like the CDM and JI undermine environmental integrity. It also details the EU's attempt to include international flights in the EU-ETS and the subsequent 'stop the clock' derogation to allow ICAO to find a global solution.

The document examines the environmental and social challenges of international aviation, highlighting that the sector may be responsible for up to 14% of man-made climate change. It criticizes the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for a lack of binding measures and analyzes the European Union's attempts to unilaterally regulate aviation emissions via the EU-ETS. The brief argues that offsetting is not a long-term solution and warns against the use of low-quality credits from mechanisms like Joint Implementation (JI) or oversupplied cap-and-trade systems. It recommends that any global aviation scheme must prioritize in-sector reductions and generate finance for climate action in developing countries.

The document critiques the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) progress toward a market-based measure (MBM) for international aviation emissions. It argues that the industry's preference for 100% offsetting fails to incentivize actual emission reductions within the sector and warns that low-quality offsets could exacerbate climate impacts. The author advocates for a cap-and-trade scheme with a stringent cap and strict quality restrictions on eligible offset credits to ensure environmental integrity.

The document consists of open letters sent to major European airlines, specifically exemplified by a letter to Lufthansa, requesting that they avoid using industrial gas credits from HFC-23 and adipic acid projects. The authors argue that these credits lack environmental integrity, do not represent real emissions reductions, and undermine the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and the Montreal Protocol.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organizations call on Iberia to avoid using industrial gas offset credits, arguing that such credits lack environmental integrity and undermine the EU ETS and the Montreal Protocol.

Carbon Market Watch and several partner organizations sent an open letter to Air Berlin requesting that the airline avoid using industrial gas offset credits from HFC-23 and adipic acid projects. The authors argue that these credits lack environmental integrity, do not represent real emissions reductions, and undermine the EU ETS and the Montreal Protocol.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of NGOs call on Air France to protect the integrity of the EU ETS by avoiding industrial gas offsets, arguing that HFC-23 and adipic acid projects lack environmental integrity and undermine climate objectives.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organisations wrote an open letter to Alitalia on 12 April 2013, requesting that the airline avoid using industrial gas offset credits for its 2012 emission reduction targets. The letter highlights that a ban on HFC-23 and N2O from adipic acid abatement projects in the EU ETS takes effect on 1 May 2013. The authors argue that these specific credits lack sustainable development benefits, undermine the Montreal Protocol, and often do not represent real emissions reductions, thereby threatening the EU's climate objectives.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organizations call on Austrian Airlines AG to reject industrial gas offset credits, arguing that such credits lack environmental integrity and undermine the EU ETS.

Carbon Market Watch and other NGOs call on British Airways to avoid using industrial gas offset credits, arguing that such credits lack environmental integrity and undermine the EU ETS.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organizations call on Brussels Airlines to protect the integrity of the EU ETS by avoiding industrial gas offset credits. The authors argue that credits from HFC-23 and adipic acid projects lack environmental integrity, do not represent real emissions reductions, and undermine international climate objectives.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organizations call on Easyjet Airline to avoid using industrial gas offset credits (HFC-23 and N2O from adipic acid) for its 2012 EU ETS emission reduction targets. The letter argues that these credits lack environmental integrity, do not represent real emissions reductions, and undermine both the Montreal Protocol and EU climate objectives.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of NGOs urge Finnair to avoid using industrial gas offset credits (HFC-23 and N2O from adipic acid) for EU ETS compliance, arguing that such credits lack environmental integrity and undermine climate objectives.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organizations call on Germanwings to avoid using industrial gas offset credits, arguing that such credits lack environmental integrity and undermine EU climate objectives.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of NGOs call on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to avoid using industrial gas offset credits, specifically HFC-23 and N2O from adipic acid projects, to meet its 2012 emission reduction targets. The letter argues that these credits lack environmental integrity, do not represent real emissions reductions, and undermine both the Montreal Protocol and EU climate objectives.

An open letter from Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organizations requesting that Deutsche Lufthansa AG avoid using industrial gas offset credits (HFC-23 and N2O from adipic acid) for its 2012 EU ETS emission reduction targets, arguing that such credits lack environmental integrity and undermine climate objectives.

Carbon Market Watch and other organizations call on Ryanair to avoid using industrial gas offset credits, arguing that HFC-23 and adipic acid projects lack environmental integrity and undermine climate objectives.

An open letter from Carbon Market Watch and other NGOs to Scandinavian Airlines arguing that industrial gas offset credits, specifically HFC-23 and N2O from adipic acid projects, lack environmental integrity and undermine EU climate objectives. The authors highlight that a ban on these credits in the EU ETS takes effect on 1 May 2013 and argue that airline operators should not benefit from the postponement of this ban given the known environmental issues associated with these projects.

Carbon Market Watch and a coalition of environmental organisations call on Vueling Airlines to reject industrial gas offset credits, arguing that such credits lack environmental integrity and undermine the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The letter highlights a January 2011 decision by EU Member States to ban HFC-23 and N2O from adipic acid abatement projects from the EU ETS, effective 1 May 2013. The authors contend that these credits do not represent real emissions reductions, offer no sustainable development benefits, and undermine the Montreal Protocol and EU climate objectives.

The document discusses the tension between the EU's unilateral inclusion of international aviation in its Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and the need for a global agreement via ICAO. It warns against the use of low-quality offset credits, specifically industrial gas offsets and non-additional CDM credits, arguing that any global mechanism must prioritize real, permanent, and verified emissions reductions over supplementary offsets.