For the first time, the certification body Gold Standard has designated a carbon credit project as eligible under the aviation industry’s offset scheme, marking a pivotal advance for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
The project in question—a clean cooking program in Malawi that distributes energy efficient cookstoves to rural households—has earned more than 1.5 million credits that now qualify for use by airlines under CORSIA’s Phase One compliance period.
The project developer, Hestian, implemented the cookstoves initiative with support from local communities, reducing fuel consumption, indoor pollution, and freeing up time for women and children to engage in education and work.
The Government of Malawi has applied corresponding adjustments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to ensure the credits are counted only once, signaling stronger compliance with the Paris Agreement.
Relevant: Aviation Sector Pushes For Host Authorization Under CORSIA Ahead Of 2027 Deadline
“This milestone demonstrates how climate policy can deliver tangible benefits for people and the planet,” Margaret Kim, Gold Standard’s chief executive, said in a comment on Wednesday.
Gold Standard also announced the approval of a new insurance policy from Artio for project developers seeking eligibility for Gold Standard Verified Reductions under Phase One of CORSIA.
Artio’s CORSIA Adjustment Cover, assessed by Howden, joins policies from Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company, and CFC Underwriting in helping safeguard against double counting and uphold the integrity of Gold Standard credits.
Read more: Gold Standard Adds CFC, Oka Carbon Credit Insurance Policies For CORSIA Compliance
The move comes as the aviation sector under CORSIA seeks more high-integrity carbon credits that align with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and ensure environmental credibility.
The landmark labelling could open new carbon credit supply channels for airlines and heighten competition among standards.
However, developers must still secure host country authorizations and meet strict eligibility criteria to participate in the first compliance phase from 2024 to 2026.
