Verra has achieved a major milestone as the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has approved its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Programme for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). This endorsement, extending VCS eligibility from CORSIA’s Pilot Phase (2021–2023) to its First Phase (2024–2026), marks significant progress for Verra and the voluntary carbon market.
The ICAO’s endorsement highlights the integrity of the VCS Programme, making Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) eligible for airlines to meet CORSIA obligations. This recognition further solidifies Verra’s leadership in high-integrity climate solutions, enhancing confidence in carbon markets as a financing mechanism for emission reduction projects.
This decision provides airlines with credible pathways to meet emission targets using units from impactful VCS projects, opening a new supply channel for CORSIA-compliant credits. As demand for compliance credits grows, Verra’s expanded eligibility creates additional opportunities for scaling up VCS projects’ environmental impact.
Airlines will soon be able to confidently source Verra’s CORSIA-compliant credits, assured they meet stringent environmental and sustainable development standards. Under Article 6, projects will also need host country authorizations to align with CORSIA obligations, ensuring collaboration with host governments.
Verra will finalise label guidance this month to streamline ICAO’s approval within the VCS Programme, enabling the aviation sector and voluntary carbon market to drive effective climate action.
