Russia's application for CORSIA accreditation under final ICAO review, decision expected in Aug - Economic Development Minister

ASTANA. May 29 (Interfax) - Russia's application for accreditation of its voluntary system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is now in the final stage of review by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said.

"So far we've successfully passed everything possible there. Then there will be [the decision] in August, the last stage of assessments is now underway. [...] Even if they suddenly decline us - they already can't reject it - the application just goes for revision, but for next year. Our application is fairly strong," Reshetnikov said.

CORSIA, a set of market-based measures aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in the aviation industry, began to be introduced in 2019. The main reduction measures are purchase of carbon units to offset emissions in excess of the base level and use of fuel that meets sustainability criteria.

The mandatory stage of the system's implementation, which will apply to most ICAO member countries, including Russia, will begin in 2027. This will require Russian airlines to monitor fuel consumption on international flights, annually compile and verify carbon reporting and, starting in 2031, offset CO2 emissions that exceed the base level calculated by the ICAO.

The ICAO registered Russia's application for CORSIA accreditation in March 2026. It is expected that accreditation in this system will give an additional push to the development of Russia's voluntary carbon market, because airlines will be able to acquire carbon units issued as a result of the implementation of climate projects in Russia.

Russia earlier amended legislation on restrictions of greenhouse gas emissions to allow for participation in the scheme, expanding government accounting of emissions, creating a system to accredit verifiers for airlines' reporting, clarifying requirements for climate projects and introducing mechanisms to prevent double counting of carbon units.

Compliance with CORSIA standards starting in 2027 could cost Russian airlines tens of billions of rubles annually, industry experts said earlier.