The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has officially registered to participate in CORSIA — the global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation — starting January 1, 2026. This marks a significant milestone in the green transition roadmap of Vietnam’s aviation industry and underscores the country’s commitment to tackling climate change.
CORSIA, initiated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), aims to achieve carbon-neutral growth in international aviation from 2020 onwards. Participating countries must monitor, report, and offset CO₂ emissions from international flights by purchasing carbon credits — a globally recognized financial mechanism.
Vietnam will voluntarily participate in the first phase of CORSIA (2024–2026). This move follows CAAV’s rigorous preparations, including the completion of a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, submission of international emissions data for the 2019–2024 period to ICAO, in-depth study of relevant regulations from ICAO and the EU, and consultations with airlines on a practical participation roadmap.
According to a CAAV representative, joining CORSIA will enable Vietnam’s aviation sector to integrate more deeply with global environmental standards. It also provides leverage to prepare for increasingly stringent climate regulations from major import-export markets, particularly in Europe. This is a strategic step as the global aviation industry faces mounting pressure for a comprehensive green transition.
However, CAAV also cautions about considerable challenges — especially financial ones. During the voluntary phase, Vietnamese airlines may need to spend between USD 13 million and 92 million on carbon credits, depending on emission levels and market prices (estimated at USD 6–40 per credit). This places a significant financial burden on the industry.
As such, Vietnam aims to proactively engage with CORSIA while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation to share experience, provide technical assistance, and enhance access to carbon finance. CAAV will work closely with domestic and international partners in the coming period to propose support mechanisms for businesses, ensuring that the green transition delivers sustainable and equitable outcomes.