ICAO statement on proposed expanded scope of EU Emission Trading System

ICAO statement on proposed expanded scope of EU Emission Trading System

Montréal, 17 July 2026 - The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) expressed concern today that the proposal to expand the scope of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for aviation from 2029 would undermine the only globally harmonized measure applying to CO2 emissions from international aviation and result in duplicative measures.

While ICAO recognizes the efforts made by the EU to support the ICAO Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a unilateral expansion of the EU ETS for aviation, as proposed by the European Commission on 17 July 2026, would be inconsistent with CORSIA's objective. CORSIA is the only global market-based measure applying to CO2 emissions from international aviation. It has been approved by ICAO Member States since 2016, with the European Union and its Member States playing an instrumental role in building consensus towards this globally harmonized solution.

Expanding the EU ETS for aviation would introduce the potential for double charging for CO₂ emissions from international aviation, with implications for the effective implementation of CORSIA. The proposal also risks fragmenting global aviation decarbonization efforts and jeopardizing the achievement of ICAO's collective global aspirational goals for the international aviation sector.

These concerns were highlighted at the 42nd Session of the ICAO Assembly in 2025, where Member States unanimously provided ICAO with a clear and reinforced mandate to advance its environmental protection agenda. This includes advancing CORSIA, which was designed to give aviation the certainty needed to move forward on its path to net-zero carbon emissions by delivering direct environmental benefits and by ensuring a level playing field, transparency and cost-effectiveness.

ICAO is encouraging all Member States to continue their strong support for CORSIA. Member States must maintain their collaborative engagement with ICAO to advance aviation environmental protection in a pragmatic and harmonized manner, grounded in cooperation and multilateralism. In this way, Member States will accelerate progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions from international aviation, in line with ICAO's strategic vision for 2050.

About ICAO
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is the United Nations specialized agency that enables safe, secure and sustainable air transport for all. ICAO brings together 193 Member States to develop and adopt the Standards and Recommended Practices that serve as the global framework for international civil aviation. Through technical guidance and implementation support, ICAO leads progress towards global connectivity, with zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions.

Media Contact
William Raillant-Clark
ICAO Communications Officer
media.relations [at] icao.int (media[dot]relations[at]icao[dot]int)

General Contact
icaohq [at] icao.int
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