ETS aviation/CORSIA: updated notification rules under international scheme
MEPs agreed to amend ETS rules on member states’ notification to EU-based airlines of their 2021 offsetting under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee adopted today, with 81 votes in favour, one against and six abstentions, the Commission proposal to introduce an amendment to aviation rules in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The updated text implements member states’ notification to EU-based airlines of the offsetting for the year 2021 under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
MEPs underline that this decision is intended to be a temporary measure. The notification would be done in a manner that minimises the administrative burden of national authorities and airline operators, and provides legal certainty while waiting for the main elements of the CORSIA scheme to be implemented in the revision of the EU ETS for aviation (part of the “Fit for 55” package).
Next steps
The proposal is scheduled to be adopted during Parliament’s plenary session in June, before negotiations with member states can begin.
Background
ICAO’s CORSIA is in operation since 2019 as regards the monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions and is intended to be a globally-applied market-based measure aiming to offset international aviation carbon dioxide emissions since 1 January 2021 above a fixed emissions level with certain offset credits.
As foreseen in the CORSIA standards and recommended practices, EU member states should calculate and inform airlines of their offsetting in respect of 2021 emissions by 30 November 2022.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air traffic and the decrease in emissions in 2021 compared to 2019, aircraft operators’ additional offsetting is expected to be zero for the year 2021. The Commission proposal foresees that once this situation is confirmed, member states shall, during the course of 2022, communicate this to airlines.