The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently made a groundbreaking agreement to address CO2 emissions from aviation. This agreement, known as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), is a significant step towards reducing the impact of aviation on the environment.

CORSIA was established in 2016 and is set to begin in 2021. The scheme aims to offset the growth of CO2 emissions from international flights by requiring airlines to purchase carbon credits. These credits, which represent reductions in CO2 emissions elsewhere, can be bought and sold on the global carbon market.

The goal of CORSIA is to stabilize CO2 emissions from international aviation at 2020 levels. Over time, the scheme will expand to cover more and more flights until it applies to all international routes. The scheme is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 2.5 billion tonnes between 2021 and 2040.

The agreement is a significant milestone for the aviation industry, which has historically been one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Air Transport Action Group, aviation currently accounts for around 2% of global CO2 emissions. However, this figure is expected to increase significantly over the coming decades as the number of people traveling by air continues to rise.

CORSIA is not without its critics, however. Some environmental groups argue that the scheme does not go far enough to address the impact of aviation on the environment. They argue that the offsetting of emissions is not a true reduction in CO2 emissions and that more drastic measures are needed to combat climate change.

Despite these criticisms, the agreement represents a significant step towards reducing the impact of aviation on the environment. It demonstrates that the aviation industry is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously and is committed to working towards a more sustainable future.

As the aviation industry continues to grow, it will be more important than ever to address the impact of aviation on the environment. CORSIA is a positive development in this regard, and it is hoped that it will pave the way for further progress in the future.