The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has approved Isometric to issue carbon credits under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), allowing airlines to use Isometric-verified carbon removal credits to meet their emissions offset requirements.
CORSIA, a United Nations-backed framework, mandates airlines to offset emissions from international flights that exceed 2019 levels using approved carbon credits. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines will need about 500 million tonnes of carbon removals annually by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions.
ICAO’s approval follows a detailed review of Isometric’s methodologies, confirming compliance with standards for transparency, scientific rigour, and environmental integrity. The decision broadens the supply of high-quality carbon removal credits available under CORSIA, supporting a broader shift away from lower-quality offsets.
Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, said: “Expanding the global carbon removals market is essential for aviation to achieve net zero emissions. ICAO’s recognition of Isometric for CORSIA compliance is a significant step, providing a credible pathway towards setting a long-term net zero goal. This move also creates a strong demand signal for carbon removal project developers and supports airlines in meeting their CORSIA obligations with credible carbon removals.”
British Airways, the UK’s largest purchaser of carbon removals and the biggest airline buyer globally, voluntarily acquired a portfolio of innovative carbon removal credits in 2024. The airline expects around one-third of its total emissions reductions by 2050 to come from carbon removals.
The approval builds on the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s (ICVCM) recent decision to endorse six Isometric protocols under its Core Carbon Principles (CCP) framework, making Isometric the first registry to secure approval for five of these pathways. The recognition further consolidates Isometric’s position in the emerging market for scientifically verified carbon removals.
