ICAO Aviation Climate Week wraps up with focus on carbon neutral growth

ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is essential to achieving aviation’s carbon-neutral growth goal. The third and final day of ICAO Aviation Climate Week focused on how to strengthen CORSIA’s contributions to this priority.

ICAO Member States shared examples of successful implementation to show how States can overcome early barriers. These included a nationwide digital platform for the monitoring, reporting, and the verification (MRV) of CO2 emissions, and an example of a collaborative model.

Panelists discussed how different States are now starting to align each other’s methods and results for verifying and accrediting aviation emissions data. This means that if a system or verification process is approved in one country, it can be recognized by others, harmonizing compliance for airlines that operate internationally.

They described a growing global community that benefits from harmonized standards and from an increasing number of recognized certifiers and accreditors. Peer learning pathways such as templates, model documents, and virtual training provide ways for new participants to move quickly from design to implementation. They also looked at how that organizations like ICAO, IATA, and international accreditation bodies play a key role in providing a common framework and capacity building assistance.

Speakers recognized the significant opportunities that are emerging as airline demand and investment continue to increase. Billions in new financing are now paired with regulatory momentum, which is supporting efforts to expand the market for SAF and emissions units, as well as driving innovation across the supply chain.

However, they also described a widening gap between the urgent need for CORSIA-certified sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and lower carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) as well as CORSIA eligible emissions units, and the still-limited current global supply and regulatory approvals. 

Meeting demand for sustainable fuels and carbon offsets 

Speakers focused on strategies to address the supply challenges. They encouraged action to resolve bottlenecks and called for collaborative efforts to boost supply of both sustainable fuels and certified offsetting units. Practical tools and outcome-based technical support, including sample reports and step-by-step guidance, were cited as priorities for capacity building in the next phase.

Discussion highlighted that sustained growth will require expanded regional training opportunities and the development of expert networks capable of maintaining verification and accreditation quality. Participants emphasized the need to simplify documentation and ensure information is clear and accessible for newcomers and decision-makers.

Panelists also called for stronger networks and increased sharing of knowledge, encouraging the use of successful case studies and best practices. Ongoing collaboration  between ICAO, the UNFCCC, and national authorities will also remain vital for keeping momentum strong as frameworks evolve. 

Avoiding contradictions 

Later in the day, panelists highlighted how the implementation of national or regional aviation taxes in addition to CORSIA results in unnecessary complexity, policy fragmentation, and extra costs for airlines and regulators.  They referred to ICAO’s policy leadership and guidance on minimizing international air transport taxes, and cautioned that imposing further taxes could undermine internationally harmonized climate policy and duplicate established standards.

Underscoring how CORSIA provides a single, internationally agreed approach for  carbon offsetting in aviation, speakers noted that fragmented taxes absorb resources and attention that could otherwise support global decarbonization. They found that aviation tax revenues rarely fund emission reduction in the sector and are almost always directed into general budgets. Panelists gave examples of States where aviation green taxes were later withdrawn or reduced after proving ineffective in reducing emissions or supporting sustainable aviation.

Speakers underlined the critical importance of air connectivity, particularly for developing counties and Small Island Developing States, and warned that additional taxes risk undermining economic and social resilience in vulnerable regions by increasing travel and operating costs.

The discussion concluded with a call for greater advocacy on these issues, by raising greater awareness of CORSIA’s design, transparency, and ongoing improvements. 

Financing for aviation decarbonization 

Recognizing that meeting decarbonization goals will require unprecedented investment, participants explored how ICAO’s Finvest platform is supporting the flow of capital to sustainable aviation fuel and emissions reduction projects.

Finvest offers a global hub to connect project developers, investors, airlines, and policymakers, particularly at the early and most challenging stages of project development. Rather than acting as a fund or lender itself, Finvest focuses on building a transparent pipeline of bankable projects, supporting knowledge exchange, and clarifying sustainability standards.

Speakers outlined practical strategies and tools enabled by Finvest, such as providing a repository of investment-ready projects, convening diverse stakeholders, and facilitating partnerships across the finance and aviation sectors. The platform plays a catalytic role by promoting models for long-term offtake contracts, supporting collaboration among public and private investors, and advancing capacity building for project developers. By highlighting the value of recognized certification schemes and pre-investment technical support, Finvest helps build investor confidence and accelerates project readiness.

They also reviewed how Finvest can help overcome the persistent barriers to scaling up project investment. These include the lack of long-term purchase agreements (crucial for project bankability), policy and regulatory uncertainty, and early-stage funding gaps. These issues are especially acute in emerging and developing markets. The session also underlined that perceptions of risk in these markets are often greater than the reality, which can unnecessarily limit the flow of private capital.

The session concluded that Finvest’s value lies in its convening power and ecosystem approach, which lowers barriers to finance, shares best practice, and ensures that promising projects have a clear pathway to investment. As demand for CORSIA-eligible fuels and emissions units grows, Finvest is positioned to help aviation scale up solutions and meet climate commitments through stronger connections, clearer standards, and more effective use of global capital.

ICAO Climate Aviation Week (Day 3) – 4 June 2026