The college of European commissioners has adopted a Council proposal for a decision on the common position to be defended by the EU in response to a letter received from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on the CORSIA system (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), the European institution said on Monday 5 November. The letter concerns the global market measure aimed at stabilising CO2 emissions from the aviation sector through an offsetting mechanism by 2020.
The 36 members of the ICAO, including the 28 EU member states, must respond to this letter to say: - whether they agree, or not, on the CORSIA system, at least for the part already endorsed in 2016 by a political agreement of all IACO members, and in June this year, on the rules for implementation being developed; - whether they plan in their legislation and at environmental level to comply with the international rules once these are in force.
In June this year, the Council of the IACO had agreed on a binding standard for the monitoring and reporting of emissions – the SARP (Standards and Recommended Practices) standard – applicable from 1 January 2019. They had postponed the finalisation of detailed rules on the eligibility of credit to offset aviation emissions, and on sustainability criteria for biofuels (see EUROPE 12051). In November, the Council of the IACO is to adopt rules to offset the increase in emissions from the aviation sector by projects for the reduction of emissions in other sectors. And finally, in May 2019, the rules on fuel sustainability will be settled (see EUROPE 12046).
The response from all member states to the IACO letter is expected by 1 December. The proposal for a decision is intended to guide them in reaching a single EU position, as the European Commission is not itself a member of the IACO.
The text to be scrutinised by a Council working group underlines that, on the EU side, there are two approaches to be followed. The EU must implement the emissions surveillance, reporting and verification system. “This will require some adjustments to the EU legislation (Ed.: the ETS directive) to which we shall proceed via delegated act”, a senior official has said.
The EU must also prepare for an offsetting scheme that will begin in 2021. The Commission points out that it will report to the Parliament and Council on the analysis regarding CORSIA, to see how to implement the system. This will require several legal changes in 2020.
We recall that the EU stated it was ready to take part in CORSIA from the outset and the co-decision agreement on the ETS directive provided for implementation by the EU as soon as it is finalised. “The mandate was very clear. The co-legislators were requesting to be informed about decisions on CORSIA and asking for the Commission to return to them with an analysis of the CORSIA system. This will be done in good time”, the same source said. It will also be appropriate to remain consistent with the 2030 objectives set out in the Paris Agreement on climate.
The source went on to say: “Seventy-five countries have decided to take part in this voluntary phase of the CORSIA system. We hope that, by 20 June, there will be still more”.
The first results of the international offsetting exercise are expected in 2024. The compulsory phase of the CORSIA system will not begin until 2027. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)