+20 Industry & Civil Society Organisations Call on the EU to Include All Departing Flights in the EU Carbon Market

More than twenty industry and civil society organisations have jointly called on the European Commission to expand the scope of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to cover all flights departing from Europe. This appeal comes ahead of the 2026 revision of the EU ETS, which currently excludes most emissions from extra-European Economic Area (EEA) flights, relying instead on the international offsetting scheme CORSIA. The coalition argues that this gap significantly undermines Europe’s climate targets by allowing approximately 70% of EU aviation CO2 emissions to escape the carbon market’s reach. Since its inclusion in the EU ETS in 2012, aviation emissions have paradoxically increased by over 30%, while emissions from other sectors have fallen. The current system also creates competitive imbalances, as non-European carriers such as Emirates and United Airlines face lower carbon costs due to the limited ETS coverage. Despite the phasing out of free allowances, airlines paid an effective carbon price of only around €22 per tonne of CO2 in 2025, far below the average ETS price of €73, weakening incentives to curb emissions and allowing aviation growth to continue unchecked. The reliance on CORSIA to address the majority of aviation emissions linked to Europe is heavily criticised by the signatories. They highlight that CORSIA depends on carbon offsetting credits with questionable environmental integrity and covers only a fraction of emissions, with key global markets like Russia, China, and the United States not fully participating. The scheme is therefore seen as insufficient to drive genuine decarbonisation within the sector, and the recent ICAO General Assembly failed to strengthen its provisions, undermining its effectiveness. Extending the EU ETS to all departing flights would not only close a major loophole but also generate significant revenue to support the decarbonisation of transport and broader economic sectors. The organisations estimate that such an extension could yield nearly €14 billion by 2030 for member states, fostering investment in low-carbon technologies and alternatives like rail. This move is framed as both a climate necessity and an industrial opportunity, reinforcing the EU’s leadership in climate policy and the polluter pays principle. The coalition urges the European Commission to seize the 2026 ETS review as a decisive moment to ensure aviation contributes fairly and credibly to Europe’s climate goals. By addressing the current shortcomings and expanding the ETS scope, the EU can strengthen its carbon pricing mechanism, promote sustainable aviation, and support global climate finance efforts. This call reflects growing pressure to align aviation policy with the urgency of the climate crisis and the EU’s broader environmental commitments.