UN Aviation Body Approves Environmental Provisions for Airline Climate Program
Statement from EDF International Counsel Annie Petsonk
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s governing Council today took a key step to stand up its emission offsetting program to help airlines reduce climate pollution, even as the aviation sector reels from the economic fallout of the coronavirus. The Council’s decision on the program, known as CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reductions Scheme for International Aviation), was based on recommendations from its Technical Advisory Body, which sought to weed out old emission credits that had questionable accounting and environmental provisions.
“We applaud the ICAO Council for listening to its experts and focusing on science in its decision to adopt robust environmental provisions in its market-based system to reduce climate pollution from airlines.
“At a time of extreme stress for the industry, aviation has stood by its commitment to grapple with the climate crisis even as it deals with the immediate tragedy of COVID-19. That is a demonstration of real leadership.
“The Council’s decision today sends a signal that when we get to the other side of the gut-punch that COVID-19 is delivering to families, communities and the whole travel sector, nations will move forward to meet the climate challenge.
Much more work remains to be done, but today’s Council decision provides one hopeful step in the right direction – and shows a path forward for the global climate talks, too.”
- Annie Petsonk, International Counsel
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
House Takes Unprecedented Step to Undermine California’s Clean Air Act Authority
April 30, 2025 -
New Map Shows Hundreds of Facilities Across the U.S. That Might Get a Pollution Pass from Trump Administration
April 30, 2025 -
Dismissal of National Climate Assessment Authors
April 29, 2025 -
Americans Want More Opportunity and Safer, Healthier Communities. The Trump Administration Has Only Delivered Less.
April 29, 2025 -
New Report Finds Disadvantaged Communities Bear the Brunt of Massive Warehouse Expansion Through New York State
April 28, 2025 -
EDF Files Lawsuit for Documents Related to Trump EPA’s Offer to Help Provide Polluter Passes
April 25, 2025