Air cargo operators are anticipated to face compliance costs under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) earlier than their passenger airline counterparts. This accelerated exposure stems from many air cargo companies having already surpassed their 2019 emissions baseline, a critical threshold for CORSIA obligations. As a result, these operators will likely need to acquire more eligible carbon credits to offset their emissions.
While the global supply of CORSIA-eligible carbon credits has expanded to approximately 32 million tonnes, a notable challenge remains: only 78.5 percent of these issued units are supported by corresponding government adjustments. This discrepancy could impact the long-term integrity and availability of truly compliant credits.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development signals a potential increase in operational costs for airfreight services. Carriers may pass on these rising carbon credit expenses through surcharges or higher base rates, affecting overall shipping budgets. Forwarders should monitor these regulatory developments closely and consider their implications for air cargo capacity planning and pricing strategies. Understanding the availability and validity of carbon credits will be crucial for managing future airfreight costs.