The Global Carbon Council (GCC) is proud to share that it has received full approval under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Phase 1, following a recent decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council at its 233rd session in October 2024. Initially conditionally approved in December 2023, GCC has now achieved full approval, allowing international airlines committed to carbon-neutral growth to utilize GCC-issued carbon credits to meet their offset obligations under CORSIA Phase 1.
As the only carbon offsetting program from the Global South to be approved under the CORSIA Pilot and Phase 1, this unique positioning highlights GCC’s commitment to environmental integrity and sustainable development across all regions.
Dr. Yousef M. Alhorr, Founding Chairman of the Global Carbon Council, commented on the achievement: “CORSIA’s Technical Advisory Body’s (TAB) much-awaited decision will help transform the international aviation sector. As the only standard from the Global South recognized under CORSIA, GCC is uniquely positioned to offer high-integrity carbon credits that empower airlines worldwide to meet their carbon-neutral growth targets. This milestone not only strengthens our collective journey toward net-zero emissions but also amplifies the role of Other International Mitigation Purposes (OIMP) under Article 6.2 in fueling the demand that is necessary for vibrant global markets.”
CORSIA, the first global market-based measure for any industry sector, supports international aviation in achieving carbon-neutral growth beyond the baseline levels set in 2019 and 2020. With three implementation phases, CORSIA establishes a cooperative, standardized approach that avoids fragmented national or regional regulatory efforts, reducing emissions while considering the unique capacities of ICAO Member States. Airlines use credits from recognized programs like GCC to offset emissions that cannot be reduced through technology, operational improvements, or sustainable aviation fuels.
As a CORSIA-approved standard from the Global South, GCC is positioned to meet the growing demand for compliance-grade carbon credits. These credits, categorized as OIMP (Other International Mitigation Purposes) under Article 6.2, are authorized by host countries, determining their status for compliance markets. Such approval will drive significant demand for high-quality carbon credits, enhancing market value, expanding opportunities for global emissions reductions, and making necessary climate finance available to meet host countries’ targets of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
