How nature-based solutions support CORSIA and responsible airline offsetting

The aviation industry is

responsible for about 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions

, has contributed around 4% to global warming and is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gases. While technological advancements such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and fuel-efficient aircraft can help reduce these emissions, they are insufficient to achieve the aviation sector’s long-term climate goals. SAF production remains limited, with high costs and scalability challenges preventing widespread adoption. Additionally, even the most fuel-efficient aircraft still produce significant emissions, and fleet turnover takes decades. 

Given that

global air traffic is projected to double by 2050

, reliance on in-sector solutions alone is unlikely to curb aviation’s growing carbon footprint. This shows the urgent need for additional strategies to bridge the emissions gap and ensure the industry aligns with international climate commitments.

The

Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)

is a global carbon offsetting initiative by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) designed to help the aviation sector achieve carbon-neutral growth. The scheme requires airlines to offset any increase in CO₂ emissions above 2020 levels.

It also mandates that airline operators emitting more than 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually monitor, report, and verify their emissions every year while complementing other aviation emission reduction efforts, such as:

These rules apply primarily to international flights (domestic flights and operators below the threshold are excluded) and aim to reduce aviation’s climate impact through carbon offsetting rather than emission reduction alone.

The scheme is being implemented in three phases:

Under CORSIA, airlines are required to purchase carbon credits from approved methodologies and standards that reduce or remove emissions. These projects can range from renewable energy and industrial carbon capture to nature-based solutions like

grasslands

protection,

forest

conservation and

mangrove

and

peatlands

restoration.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are among the most effective tools for addressing climate change, providing a triple benefit of carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration. Research suggests that

natural climate solutions could deliver over 30% of the global emission reductions needed by 2030

, making them indispensable in aviation’s path to sustainability.

Natural ecosystems act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing atmospheric CO₂ at an unparalleled scale. Forests alone sequester around 7.6 billion metric tonnes of CO₂ annually, significantly slowing global warming. Mangroves are also particularly efficient, capturing up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests while simultaneously protecting coastal communities from storm surges and rising sea levels. Even more striking, peatlands, though covering just 3% of Earth’s land,

store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined

.

Unlike technological carbon removal solutions such as Direct Air Capture (DAC), which remain expensive and require decades to scale, NBS are ready for deployment. Restoring degraded forests, protecting wetlands, and improving soil health are solutions that already exist and are already making a measurable impact. This immediate scalability makes NBS an attractive option for aviation offsetting under CORSIA, where airlines need to act fast to meet their emission reduction commitments.

While DAC and other industrial carbon capture solutions can cost upwards of $600 per tonne of CO₂ removed, high-quality NBS offsets typically range between

$10–$50 per tonne per carbon credit

. This cost advantage enables airlines to offset emissions more efficiently while supporting environmental restoration projects that have long-term benefits.

Beyond their role in carbon sequestration, NBS also offer environmental and social benefits. Healthy ecosystems support biodiversity by providing critical habitats for wildlife, many of which are under threat due to deforestation and land degradation.

 Additionally, NBS initiatives enhance water security by stabilising watersheds, preventing soil erosion, and improving water filtration. These projects often create jobs and empower local communities, making them a holistic investment for people and the planet.

The ICAO-approved offset programs focus on additionality, permanence, and leakage prevention, ensuring that the carbon reductions are real and lasting. NbS are a verifiable, trustworthy, and scalable solution that aligns seamlessly with these sustainability goals.

With global aviation decarbonisation policies evolving, airlines must ensure their sustainability strategies remain aligned with new regulatory requirements and market expectations. The aviation industry is increasingly moving toward

science-based climate targets

, and high-integrity NbS projects are recognised as a key tool for achieving net-zero aviation goals. 

Airlines that proactively integrate NbS into their offsetting strategies will be better positioned to comply with stricter carbon reduction mandates, attract sustainability-conscious investors, and maintain a competitive advantage.

While Nature-based Solutions are highly effective in addressing carbon emissions, not all projects have the same results. Some projects may overstate their carbon sequestration potential or lack adequate safeguards to prevent issues like leakage, impermanence, or inaccurate carbon accounting.

To ensure that offsetting efforts genuinely contribute to climate mitigation, airlines should prioritise:

For carbon offset projects to be effective under CORSIA, they must meet stringent eligibility standards set by the ICAO. These standards ensure that projects provide real, measurable, and lasting emission reductions, making them a credible part of an airline’s sustainability strategy.

To ensure transparency and build trust, airlines invest in carbon credits that are developed using established methodologies and registered with approved organizations such as Verra, the Climate Action Reserve, or the American Carbon Registry. Additionally, all projects must be verified by reputable third-party organizations. These independent entities assess and certify the projects to confirm that the carbon credits purchased by the airlines are legitimate, high-quality, and aligned with global climate goals.

For an offset project to be credible, it must demonstrate additionality, meaning that the emission reductions would not have occurred in the absence of the project. This ensures that carbon credits represent a true net reduction rather than an action that would have happened anyway. Equally important is permanence, the guarantee that carbon stored in forests, wetlands, or soil remains sequestered for the long term. 

ICAO and certification bodies require that projects secure carbon storage for

at least 100 years

, preventing the risk of re-release due to deforestation, land-use changes, or poor management.

To ensure the effectiveness of carbon offset projects,

continuous monitoring and verification

are essential. Advanced technologies such as remote sensing,  or in-depth on-the-ground field assessments, help track forest health, carbon sequestration rates, and land-use changes. 

Additionally, emerging innovations like blockchain technology are being explored to create transparent and tamper-proof records of carbon credit transactions. These tools help eliminate fraud, enhance credibility, and provide real-time data on emission reductions, ensuring that airlines meet their sustainability commitments with integrity.

Airlines should adopt a balanced portfolio of nature-based solutions. A well-rounded strategy should include reforestation, soil restoration, and blue carbon projects (such as mangrove and seagrass conservation), each of which offers unique advantages in carbon sequestration and climate adaptation. 

This can be done by linking ticket purchases to projects and developing branded carbon offset programs. For example, they can offer passengers the option to support reforestation, mangrove restoration, or peatland conservation at checkout, while also creating custom offset bundles tied to frequent flyer programs, business-class upgrades, or corporate travel packages.. 

By diversifying their offset portfolios, airlines can reduce climate-related financial risks while ensuring a more resilient and adaptive approach to emissions reduction.

Rather than purchasing secondary market carbon credits, airlines can make direct investments in origination projects. By working with trusted partners like Earthly, airlines can help fund new, high-integrity NBS initiatives that actively restore degraded ecosystems and provide long-term climate benefits. 

Supporting origination projects

ensures that offset investments lead to real, additional carbon sequestration rather than merely financing past reductions. Furthermore, by investing directly in projects, airlines can tailor their offsetting strategy to align with their broader sustainability objectives.

Origination projects also provide a cost-effective approach to carbon offsetting in the long run. While secondary market credits can become more expensive over time due to increasing demand and limited supply, directly investing in project development allows airlines to secure carbon credits at a lower cost per tonne, ensuring greater financial predictability and stability in the future.

To go beyond mere emissions offsetting, airlines should embrace

regenerative business models

that actively restore ecosystems rather than just compensating for carbon output. Unlike traditional carbon offsetting, which focuses on neutralising emissions, regenerative approaches prioritise long-term ecosystem health and resilience. 

Airlines can integrate regenerative models by investing in projects that continuously improve natural ecosystems over time, ensuring that their sustainability efforts contribute to net-positive environmental impacts rather than simply achieving carbon neutrality.

As global aviation accelerates its transition toward net-zero emissions, ICAO is reviewing offset methodologies, emphasising permanence, additionality, and transparency to prevent

greenwashing

. This means that future iterations of CORSIA will likely feature stricter eligibility criteria, making it essential for airlines to invest in projects that demonstrate verifiable, long-term carbon sequestration.

Meanwhile, the voluntary carbon market is on a steep growth trajectory, projected to reach $50 billion by 2030,

according to McKinsey

. This expansion shows the urgency for airlines to secure high-quality carbon credits now, before increasing demand leads to supply constraints.

Beyond regulatory developments, major airlines are setting ambitious net-zero targets, further driving demand for reliable offsetting solutions. For instance,

International Airlines Group (IAG)

, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with a short-term goal to reduce emissions by 10% per passenger kilometre by 2025. Similarly, Lufthansa Group has launched a

green fares program

, integrating carbon offsetting into ticket prices, with a significant portion directed toward high-quality NBS projects. These commitments indicate a paradigm shift in the industry, where sustainability is no longer a side initiative but a core strategic priority.

As CORSIA tightens its framework and the aviation sector races toward net zero, airlines that proactively integrate NBS into their offsetting strategies will be best positioned to navigate future regulations, build consumer trust, and ensure long-term resilience.

As the aviation industry moves toward net-zero emissions, it must leverage technological advancements and natural carbon sinks to meet sustainability goals. CORSIA provides a structured framework for airlines to offset emissions, and nature-based solutions offer a cost-effective, scalable, and high-integrity way to achieve compliance.

At Earthly

, we go beyond carbon; our projects not only remove CO₂ but also restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support local communities. Our rigorous project assessment framework, covering 106 data points, ensures that every investment delivers real, measurable, and lasting climate benefits. Unlike traditional offsetting, our high-integrity NBS projects help companies offset 110 -150% of their emissions, going beyond neutrality to create a positive impact on the planet.

With Earthly, you can

invest in science-backed, high-quality NBS projects

that align with your aviation sustainability strategy.

Talk to us

to explore tailored solutions that make your offsets credible, impactful, and future-proof.