Delving into CORSIA and LTAG

• The ICAO is entrusted with the responsibility of curbing carbon emissions from international civil aviation as a key focus area.
  • To combat the carbon emissions from aviation and its effect on climate change, the ICAO has adopted several aspirational goals. These include: improving fuel efficiency by 2% annually until 2050, achieving carbon-neutral growth, and aiming for net zero by 2050.
  • These goals are incorporated under CORSIA and LTAG by the ICAO.
• LTAG:
  • The 41st ICAO Assembly adopted the LTAG for international aviation with the aim of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in alignment with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement’s temperature goal.
  • The LTAG does not impose specific obligations or commitments in terms of emissions reduction goals on individual States. Rather, it acknowledges each State’s unique circumstances and respective capabilities such as the level of development, and maturity of aviation markets.
• CORSIA:
  • CORSIA is a global scheme devised by the ICAO to tackle the rise in CO2 emissions from international aviation.
  • CORSIA is applicable only to flights that travel from one country to another.
  • CORSIA's objective is to stabilize net CO2 emissions at 2020 levels through a combination of measures including carbon offsetting, carbon credits , and sustainable aviation fuel.
  • CORSIA complements these measures by offsetting the amount of CO2 emissions that can't be reduced through technological improvements, operational improvements, and sustainable aviation fuels with emissions units from the carbon market.
  • It provides a unified method to decrease emissions from international aviation, minimizing market distortion, while respecting the special circumstances and respective capabilities of ICAO Member States.
  • The CORSIA Scheme is designed in 3 phases: The pilot (2021-2023) and first phases (2024-2026) are voluntary, whereas the second phase (2027-2035) is mandatory for all member States.
  • India has chosen not to participate in the voluntary phases of CORSIA.

Key Initiatives by the MoCA to Lower Carbon Emissions:

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Efforts to promote the use of SAF have been made to foster sustainable development and lower carbon emissions at airports.
• National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016: The NCAP 2016 includes a goal to create a sustainable aviation framework that encourages the use of alternative fuels, energy-efficient aircraft, and infrastructure, among others. For more details on the National Civil Aviation Policy , refer to the linked article.
• Green Airports: A green airport is an airport that adopts sustainable practices to lower its environmental impact and promote sustainable development. Green airports aim to reduce their carbon footprint, conserve energy and water resources, and minimize waste and emissions.

How Does the Aviation Sector Impact Climate?

• Cirrus Clouds: Similar to contrails, cirrus clouds also form from aircraft emissions. These clouds can cause a warming effect on the planet, as they trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Contrails: Contrails are the white, streaky lines that aircraft leave in the sky. They consist of ice crystals that form when water vapour in the aircraft’s exhaust condenses in the cold, high-altitude atmosphere. Contrails can cause a warming effect on the planet by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Aviation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide. The combustion of fossil fuels in aircraft engines produces carbon dioxide, water vapour, nitrogen oxides, and other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Potential Benefits of Joining Such Initiatives:

• Enhancing Sustainability: CORSIA and the LTAG encourage airlines to adopt more sustainable practices, such as using more efficient aircraft, reducing fuel consumption, and investing in renewable energy.
• Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Joining CORSIA and striving towards the LTAG will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation. This is crucial for combating climate change and protecting the environment.
• India has also set an ambitious target of achieving Net Zero by 2070.
• India has also pledged to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 45% by 2030.