Ministers have launched a consultation on how to implement emissions trading, asking airlines and other interested parties how the UK can implement the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (Corsia), which requires airlines to offset their emissions for international flights.
Corsia is a global scheme, but the UK is already committed to the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) and wants to prevent flights from the UK to Europe being subject to both Corsia and the ETS.
The Department for Transport has made suggestions “to avoid unnecessary price increases for passengers, ensuring the UK’s decarbonisation efforts do not negatively impact those who rely on air travel”.
As the rules currently apply, flights from the UK to the EU, as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, would fall under both Corsia and the UK ETS, “resulting in operators being charged twice for the same emissions”.
The consultation puts forward two options:
- Having only the ETS apply to flights from the UK to the EU, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland; or
- Implementing a "price-based hybrid" scheme where both Corsia and the ETS would apply to UK flights to these destinations, with airlines compensated for the costs of Corsia offsetting on these flights.
Corsia stipulates that any growth in emissions from the aviation industry, which accounts for around 3% of global emissions, must be offset at 85% of 2019 levels from 2024 onwards. A total of 126 states are involved in Corsia, which are responsible for more than 75% of international aviation.
Under Corsia, airlines must monitor and report emissions on international flights. Any growth above the baseline must be offset by purchasing programmes that reduce emissions in other sectors such as renewable energy.
Airlines can reduce their offsetting by using alternative fuels, but both measures are likely to mean increased fares regardless of how the Corsia/ETS situation is resolved.
The industry and other interested parties have until 10 February to make their views known.
