Address the demands of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), an ICAO-led initiative requiring robust emissions monitoring, reporting, and offsetting. Leverage advanced life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling to accurately track and reduce your aviation-related carbon footprint—protecting operational continuity and reputation in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. 

Whether you’re an airline, aircraft operator, aircraft manufacturer, or supplier of renewable, waste-derived or fossil-based aviation fuels, operating in the international aviation space, CORSIA demands credible, auditable data to validate emissions reductions and offset strategies. Proactive alignment helps you stay competitive and build stakeholder confidence in your sustainability commitments. 

An Overview of CORSIA

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is a global framework established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It aims to cap net aviation CO₂ emissions at 2020 levels, offsetting any growth in emissions through the purchase of carbon credits or deployment of cleaner technologies. 

Key Objectives: 

  • Stabilize aviation’s net emissions growth. 
  • Encourage sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), lower carbon aviation fuels (LCAF),and technological innovations. 
  • Maintain international market-based measures for carbon offsetting. 

CORSIA applies to international flights between participating ICAO member states. Airlines, charter operators, and other stakeholders are responsible for tracking and reporting their CO₂ emissions. 

Why It Matters: 

  • Permit Security: Non-compliance can lead to flight restrictions, grounding of certain routes, or increased offset obligations. 
  • Brand & Stakeholder Expectations: Passengers, investors, and governments increasingly demand low-carbon air travel and transparent sustainability practices. 
  • Monitoring, Reporting & Verification (MRV)
    Airlines must monitor annual CO₂ emissions from international routes, providing data that meets rigorous verification standards. 
  • Offset Obligations
    Emissions growth above a baseline (set around 2020 levels) must be offset through approved carbon credits or other recognized mitigation measures. 
  • Phased Implementation
    Early pilot and voluntary phases lead into mandatory participation for most ICAO member states, ensuring a gradual global rollout of compliance obligations. 

Sphera’s LCA for Experts provides a scientifically grounded, comprehensive approach to aviation-related GHG emissions tracking, analysis, and reporting. Designed to address international standards, it’s the ideal companion for organizations striving to comply with CORSIA’s offsetting and reduction mandates. 

Key Features: 

  • Precise Emissions Modeling: Evaluate CO₂ from flight routes, aircraft types, or specific operational changes, ensuring credible data for MRV. 
  • Scenario Analysis: Test the impact of introducing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and lower carbon aviation fuels (LCAF), optimizing flight paths, or upgrading fleets—see real-time how each scenario affects net emissions. 
  • Audit-Ready Documentation: Produce comprehensive reports aligned with ICAO standards, streamlining offset verification and stakeholder communications. 
  • Integration with Sphera Tools: For broader insight, connect to Sphera’s database and analytics platforms, assessing full supply chain impacts and potential improvements. 
  • Integration with Sphera Tools: Link seamlessly to Sphera’s Database Server or Portfolio Analyzer for broader sustainability management across your entire enterprise. 
  • Regulatory Assurance
    Minimize the risk of fines, grounded routes, or lost flight permissions by leveraging data-driven LCA outputs that demonstrate clear compliance. 
  • Cost Optimization
    Identify the most efficient ways to reduce or offset emissions, minimizing the purchase of carbon credits and focusing on operational improvements. 
  • Sustainability Differentiation
    Position your brand as a forward-looking aviation leader, appealing to eco-conscious travelers, investors, and policymakers. 
  • Scalability
    Whether you’re a regional airline, a global carrier or supplier of aviation fuels, LCA for Experts adapts to your operational scope and integrates with other Sphera solutions for enterprise-wide sustainability. 

Key points about the Regulation

Global Baseline

CORSIA uses a 2020 CO₂ baseline—any emissions growth above this line requires offsetting. 

Market-Based Offsets

Airlines must purchase verified carbon credits or invest in recognized projects (e.g., reforestation, renewable energy) to balance excess emissions.

Technical & Operational Innovations

Adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and lower carbon aviation fuels (LCAF), route optimizations, or cutting-edge aircraft designs can reduce offset liabilities and carbon footprint.

Talk to an expert