As the world accelerates efforts to decarbonise aviation, two major frameworks are shaping the path forward: the European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation (EU 2023/2405) and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
While both aim to reduce aviation’s climate impact, they take very different approaches. Airlines operating in Europe and globally must understand how these schemes overlap, diverge, and interact.
What is ReFuelEU Aviation?
ReFuelEU is the EU’s regional regulation, entering into force in 2025, designed to:
- Mandate the gradual use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) at EU airports.
- Require 90% refuelling at departure airports to avoid fuel tankering.
- Introduce strict reporting and verification requirements for fuel suppliers and airlines.
- Impose penalties for non-compliance, with revenues channelled into SAF development.
It is essentially a supply-and-demand regulation that forces the aviation sector to scale up SAF production and use, with a clear trajectory to 70% SAF by 2050.
What is CORSIA?
CORSIA is a global market-based measure adopted by ICAO to stabilise CO₂ emissions from international aviation at 2019 levels. It works by requiring airlines to:
- Offset emissions above the 2019 baseline through carbon credits.
- Report verified emissions data to ICAO.
- Use eligible SAFs to reduce offsetting obligations, provided they meet sustainability and lifecycle emissions criteria.
Unlike ReFuelEU, CORSIA does not mandate fuel blending. Instead, it provides a flexible, global framework that relies on offsets to balance growth in aviation emissions.
Key Differences Between ReFuelEU and CORSIA
| Aspect | ReFuelEU (EU Regulation) | CORSIA (ICAO Global Scheme) |
| Scope | EU airports & operators | International aviation worldwide |
| Approach | Mandatory SAF blending targets | Offsetting emissions growth with credits |
| Timeline | Starts 2025 → 70% SAF by 2050 | Pilot phase 2021–2023; mandatory from 2027 |
| Enforcement | Fines & penalties via EU states | Compliance coordinated by ICAO |
| SAF Role | Central, mandated targets | Optional, reduces offset needs |
How the Two Systems Interact
Airlines operating in the EU will face dual obligations:
- ReFuelEU compliance for SAF use and refuelling at EU airports.
- CORSIA reporting for international flights crossing EU and non-EU territories.
One important safeguard: double-counting is prohibited. The same batch of SAF cannot be claimed under both the EU ETS/ReFuelEU and CORSIA
Airlines must carefully track and verify their SAF usage to avoid compliance risks.
Why This Matters for Global Climate Goals
Together, these frameworks reflect two complementary strategies:
- ReFuelEU pushes airlines toward actual fuel decarbonisation through mandatory SAF uptake.
- CORSIA ensures that, globally, aviation emissions growth is at least balanced, even in regions without strong SAF mandates.
By combining regional regulation (EU) with global market measures (ICAO), the aviation sector has a more complete pathway to align with the Paris Agreement and ICAO’s Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of net-zero emissions by 2050.
VURDHAAN’s Expertise in ReFuelEU and CORSIA
At VURDHAAN, we support airlines, airports, and fuel suppliers in understanding and complying with overlapping sustainability frameworks like ReFuelEU and CORSIA. Our services include:
- Comparative compliance planning to align EU regulations with ICAO obligations.
- SAF strategy development, ensuring supply contracts meet both regional and global standards.
- Carbon market insights to help airlines manage offsetting obligations under CORSIA effectively.
- Policy foresight on how future EU and ICAO revisions may reshape the regulatory landscape.
By combining regulatory expertise with market intelligence, VURDHAAN helps aviation stakeholders meet today’s obligations while preparing for tomorrow’s climate goals.