ClearBlue Markets has launched Basecamp Aviation, an informational dashboard that offers curated insights to assist with strategic decision-making for aviation companies navigating compliance with CORSIA. Leveraging the power of the ClearBlue Vantage carbon intelligence platform, Basecamp Aviation provides accessible, up-to-date information tailored specifically for the aviation industry, simplifying carbon compliance.
Read our press release here.
Request a demo of ClearBlue’s Basecamp Aviation solution here.
For aviation companies, staying attuned to the dynamic nature of carbon markets requires accurate, timely information. Understanding which credits are eligible under evolving ICAO criteria, tracking regulatory changes across multiple schemes (CORSIA, EU ETS, UK ETS), monitoring market prices and volatility, and planning procurement strategies amidst evolving supply constraints and market dynamics is a daunting task. Existing tools often fall short – they can be too complex, expensive, or not specifically tailored to the unique compliance needs of the aviation sector. Airlines and aviation businesses needed a clear, accessible way to navigate these complexities, make informed decisions about carbon compliance, and develop effective market strategies.
Basecamp Aviation offers a clear path forward for these companies with an all-in-one place to improve their understanding of carbon markets and prepare for future obligations from regulations.
The dashboard provides insights specifically tailored to help aviation players understand markets, price trends, and determine optimal times to transact. It offers a curated view of both the voluntary and compliance carbon markets, consolidating up-to-date information and expert analysis in one place.
Key features include:
Basecamp Aviation is designed to support a range of stakeholders in the aviation sector. This includes airlines and aviation-related businesses preparing for carbon compliance obligations under CORSIA, EU ETS, and UK ETS. It also serves corporate sustainability and strategy teams within airlines, corporations, or investors exploring voluntary carbon markets, brokers or advisors assisting the aviation segment, and cargo operators.
In a market shaped by evolving ICAO regulations, stricter eligibility criteria, supply constraints, and increasing demand, having a centralized, intuitive tool is essential. Basecamp Aviation is built to address these challenges head-on, transforming complex regulatory requirements and market signals into actionable insights.
As the aviation industry navigates the mandatory phases of CORSIA and the broader carbon market landscape, Basecamp Aviation provides the clarity and support needed to manage compliance effectively, optimize carbon credit strategies, and contribute meaningfully to global climate action.
About CORSIA
The international aviation sector faces a significant challenge: balancing growth with the urgent need to address its environmental impact. At the heart of the regulatory response is the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2016. CORSIA is a market-based measure designed specifically to curb emissions from international flights. Under this scheme, airlines operating flights between participating states are required to offset emissions that exceed a set baseline by purchasing Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs). As CORSIA transitions from its voluntary phases to mandatory participation for most states, the complexity for airlines and aviation businesses is rapidly increasing.
CORSIA operates in distinct phases. The Pilot Phase ran from 2021 to 2023, with participation being voluntary. The First Phase, covering the 2024-2026 compliance cycle, is also voluntary, though 126 states participated in 2024. Looking ahead, the Second Phase, from 2027 to 2035, introduces mandatory participation, with exceptions for flights to and from states with under 0.5% of global revenue tonne kilometers. Offsetting obligations under CORSIA began in 2021, and participants must demonstrate compliance by meeting their offsetting requirements at the end of each 3-year compliance period. It's worth noting that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the aviation industry, there were no compliance obligations for the Pilot Phase. The pandemic also led to 2020 being excluded from baseline calculations, and the current baselines are expected to be reviewed in September 2025.
The journey through CORSIA's phases involves more than just tracking emissions; it requires navigating the intricate world of carbon credits. Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) used for CORSIA compliance can include carbon credits originating from voluntary carbon market (VCM) standards, Article 6.4 mechanisms, or national and subnational standards. These credits are eligible provided they are authorized by the host country with a corresponding adjustment (CA) to prevent double counting. These credits are also known as Corresponding Adjusted Credits (CACs). CACs may be used for various purposes, including Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) for NDCs, EEUs under CORSIA, or for voluntary use by companies seeking additional assurance. The diverse pricing mechanisms, ranging from market-driven benchmarks to regulated fixed prices, underscore the complexity and variability of this emerging market.
Recent updates from ICAO have added further layers of detail and complexity to CORSIA compliance. On December 6, 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) released a series of documents specifying eligibility and exclusion criteria for crediting programs as part of Phase 1 for CORSIA. These documents include a detailed Technical Advisory Body (TAB) Recommendations Report, a CORSIA EEUs Summary for approved crediting programs, and Public Comments on CORSIA Updates. This update establishes detailed eligibility requirements for carbon credits supplied by six approved registries and introduces stricter exclusions and attestation requirements. The six approved Carbon Crediting Programs (CCPs) eligible for Phase 1 currently are ACR, ART TREES, CAR, Gold Standard, Verra’s VCS, and GCC. These changes significantly impact the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), where CORSIA is expected to drive substantial demand for high-integrity credits.
Beyond CORSIA, aviation companies may also face obligations under other carbon pricing mechanisms, such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the UK Emissions Trading System (UK ETS). The EU ETS is undergoing revisions with the introduction of EU ETS 2 for fuel combustion in buildings, road transport, and small industrial sectors. The UK ETS is facing potential regulatory reforms and the possibility of linking with the EU ETS. Global carbon markets are showing increasing integration, with price movements in one market, such as a crash in WCI and RGGI prices, potentially triggering spillover selling in EUAs. This interconnectedness adds another layer of complexity for companies operating internationally.
To learn more about ClearBlue’s Basecamp Aviation offering, and how your strategy can benefit, please book time with our colleague Natalie Giglio.