Vietnamese airlines to purchase carbon credits from 2026
VOV.VN - Vietnam is set to participate in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) programme, starting January 1, 2026, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
The decision follows a request submitted by the CAAV to the Ministry of Construction, seeking approval to notify the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) of Vietnam’s intention to join the scheme in line with ICAO guidelines.
This move underscores Vietnam’s commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its aviation industry and aligns with the directive of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding sustainable aviation fuel policies within the European Union. It marks an important step toward integrating Vietnam into the global effort to combat climate change in the aviation industry.
Over the past years, the CAAV has actively laid the groundwork for CORSIA compliance, by issuing regulations on fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions management for civil aircraft, implementing monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for international flight emissions during the 2019–2024 period, and regularly submitting emissions data to ICAO.
It has proactively studied global and regional sustainability policies, particularly those of the EU, and worked closely with other ministries to identify regulatory obstacles and propose actionable solutions.
The CORSIA, adopted by the ICAO General Assembly in 2016, aims to achieve carbon-neutral growth in international aviation through market-based measures. The programme entered a voluntary phase from 2021 to 2026, before transitioning to a mandatory stage from 2027 to 2035.
Countries joining during the voluntary phase must notify ICAO by June 30 of the preceding year. Vietnam’s formal participation affirms its growing role in international climate initiatives and signals a stronger commitment to sustainable aviation practices.