European Commission Issues Regulation on Aviation Emissions Monitoring

Strategic Insights -

The European Commission has issued a regulation on (31 July 2025) to implement a global market-based measure for the monitoring, reporting, and verification of aviation emissions as part of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The regulation replaces Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/1603 and aims to ensure alignment with the relevant instruments adopted at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Key Takeaways:

  • The regulation applies to aircraft operators that fulfil the conditions set out in Article 12(6), third and fourth subparagraphs, of Directive 2003/87/EC.
  • The regulation covers international flights as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1879, performed by the aircraft operator during the reporting period and for which the aircraft operator is responsible.
  • The regulation requires aircraft operators to report their emissions to their administering Member State, which shall submit a list of aircraft operators to the ICAO Secretariat by 30 November each year.
  • The regulation aims to ensure transparency by requiring Member States to transmit relevant data to the ICAO Secretariat, including the list of aircraft operators and their emissions units.
  • The regulation applies to CORSIA eligible fuels that have occurred since 1 January 2024, and it replaces Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/1603.
  • Notably, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 introduced the principle of proportionality for the reporting rules for the use of alternative aviation fuels.
  • The regulation ensures that the rules laid down are applied in a timely manner, and it shall enter into force without delay.

Statistics:

  • The regulation applies to international flights that are performed by aircraft operators during the reporting period and for which the aircraft operator is responsible.
  • The majority of international flights covered by the regulation are flights which depart from or arrive in an aerodrome situated in one of the overseas countries and territories listed in Annex II to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
  • The regulation requires Member States to submit relevant data to the ICAO Secretariat, including verified emissions data concerning all international flights of aircraft operators they administer.
  • The regulation aims to promote transparency and ensure that the rules laid down are applied in a timely manner.

Sources:

  • EU official journal, C 211, 01-08-2025, pp 001-014 (COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2025/927)
  • Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2067
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1879
  • Council Decision (EU) 2020/954
  • Annex I to the Convention on International Civil Aviation signed on 7 December 1944