Summary
Updated 10/2026. Read Time 7 min.
Three Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) are operational in Europe (EU, UK, and Swiss). In parallel, ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) has the same aim: reduce emissions. Once you cross certain emissions thresholds, emissions credits are due.
EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) - European Commission
Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)
Aircraft under 5,700 kg (about 12,566 lbs) maximum takeoff weight are exempt, and the thresholds will exclude most others, except for large operators heavy on international travel. The lowest threshold amounts to burning about 104,000 gallons of Jet A annually (1,000 tonnes of CO2, the ETS level for private operations) - and this only applies when flying to and from participating countries. The cost of credits fluctuates. As of October 2026, an EU credit is about €86 per tonne, or about €0.83 per gallon, and will likely increase over time.
Before you glaze over, keep this topic on your radar. Unless you are exempt, you still need to report your ETS operations in participating territories even if you do not cross the threshold required to pay. US participation in CORSIA has been voluntary, and there is no US rule making it mandatory; any mandatory step has only been talk so far. ICAO's second phase starts in 2027, and States decide whether they participate. Furthermore, several states within the US are planning to roll out emission reporting requirements in the future.
QTA Hush Kit
Details
ETS
Aviation is a small subset of ETS. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme includes heat, power, industry, boats, and aircraft emissions. So much emission is allowed, and then, to continue operations, emissions credits must be purchased. The allowances available reduce over time, driving the incentive to reduce emissions through technology improvements or reduced operations.
Due to jurisdiction, the EU, UK, and Switzerland's ETS are independent emissions schemes but linked arrangements. The ETS focuses on operations to, from, and in EU countries, the UK, and Switzerland. Other international operations outside these territories are covered under CORSIA.
The first step is to determine if ETS is even applicable to you. Aircraft under 5,700 kg (about 12,566 lbs) maximum takeoff weight, and medical, humanitarian, and firefighting operations are exempt. Then you calculate how much you're emitting, and if you cross a threshold, emissions credits must be purchased.
Commercial operators have a threshold of emitting 10,000 tonnes/ yr (metric tonnes) of CO2 or more than 243 flights/ yr. Private operations have an allowance of 1,000 tonnes of CO2/ yr.
It would be nice to know the number of gallons of Jet A needed to reach 1,000 tonnes, but this goes back to the earlier point. ETS also covers factories burning coal, natural gas, and diesel fuel, so we have some converting to do. If math is not your forte, skip down to the Bottom Line.
Assuming a factor of 3.16kg of CO2 to 1 kg of Jet A and a density of 6.7 lbs/ gal of Jet A (3.04 kg/gal, so 9.6kg of CO2 per gallon):
1,000 tonnes CO2 = 1,000,000kg CO2
1,000,000kg CO2 / 3.16 CO2/kg = 316,456kg of Jet A
316,456kg × 2.20462 = 697,665lbs of Jet A
697,665lbs / 6.7 lbs/gal = 104,129 gallons (about 394,100 liters) Jet A. Call it 104,100 gallons.
Shortcut: tonnes of CO2 = gallons × 0.009603. Gallons = tonnes × 104.1. So 10,000 tonnes is about 1,041,300 gallons.
The gallons only apply when flying around the EU/UK/Switzerland and do not include fuel from the US (or any non-participating country) to Europe or vice versa. Most operators will likely not have to worry about it unless you do a heavy amount of European operations. Even a G600, for example, would need roughly 210 to 250 hours a year flying around Europe to reach the threshold (at 500 down to 420 gallons per hour), but the threshold is for an operation, not an aircraft, so fleet operators beware.
European Economic Area
Let's say you've exceeded the limit. The million-dollar question is: How much will it cost? Unfortunately, it's not a straightforward answer, but we can get close. EU Emissions Credits or EU Carbon Permits are tradable commodities on carbon markets and auctions. Any company can purchase, essentially, the rights to continue operations. More demand = higher prices. Also, a planned reduced supply of credits over the coming years will increase future prices.
As of this writing (October 2026), a credit is about €86 per 1 tonne of CO2. Over the last year, the market price has ranged from about €62 to €92 per tonne. Planned supply reductions should push prices up over time.
Using 3.16 CO2/kg again:
3.16kg CO₂/kg fuel = 9.603kg CO₂/gal
9.603kg CO2/gal / 1000 = 0.009603 metric tons/gal
0.009603metric tons/gal × €86/metric ton = €0.83/gal
€0.83 is roughly $0.90 to $1.00 per gallon, depending on the exchange rate (another fluctuating price)
Bottom Line
That's a long-winded way to say that you will pay for emissions credits if you burn over about 104,000 gallons of Jet A in Europe yearly (private operations). For quick math: the cost of a credit (per tonne) in Euros is roughly how many US cents per gallon it will cost.
€86 per tonne = about 90 to 100 US cents per gallon.
Note: The burn figures are straight Jet-A. Using blended Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) reduces emissions and affects the calculations.
Remember, you must report even if you don't cross the 104,000-gallon (1,000-tonne) threshold. Register with the ETS where you emit the most gas. It takes about 8 weeks to get onboarded.
Depending on the ETS, reports may be due in February or April. You can DIY it or outsource the tracking/reporting process using a third-party vendor. Here are several to begin your search:
CORSIA
ICAO's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is a broader program than ETS. It applies when conducting international operations between participating countries. The EU, UK, and Swiss ETS are separate regional schemes, not part of CORSIA. Flights already covered by an ETS, such as flights within the European Economic Area, are left out of CORSIA offsetting so you are not charged twice.
The threshold for CORSIA is even higher than ETS, to the tune of 10,000 tonnes of CO2 a year (about 1,041,300 gallons of Jet A) on international flights between participating States, for aeroplanes over 5,700 kg. Under that, CORSIA offsetting does not apply to you. US participation has been voluntary, and there is no US rule making it mandatory; any mandatory step has only been talk so far. The FAA's Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) program is voluntary and open to smaller operators too.
The same exemptions as ETS apply, such as aircraft under 5,700 kg (about 12,566 lbs), and humanitarian, medical, and firefighting flights. CORSIA does not include domestic operations (KTEB - KLAX, for example)- only international ops involving CORSIA member states are applicable. Like ETS, there is also a distinction between what is required to report and what is required to report and offset (once exceeding emission limits).
CORSIA Participating States
Any international flight, including flights between a CORSIA and a non-CORSIA state, is reported. Any international flights between CORSIA participating states, not counting intra-ETS flights, are reported AND subject to offsets (once exceeding emission limits).
Annual CORSIA reports are due to your State by April 30 (the FAA program asks for May 31), verified by an accredited verifier, and unless you emit over 25,000 tonnes of CO2, you submit the "simplified" CERT report. It's a massive Excel file updated annually where you detail your operation and provide flight log information. The output is your CO2 estimate.
Offsetting math: the sector growth factor
Crossing 10,000 tonnes does not mean you offset everything you burn. Your offset is your covered CO2 (international flights between participating States) times the Sector Growth Factor (SGF), one number ICAO publishes each year for the whole industry. The SGF is the share of the sector's CO2 that sits above a baseline of 85% of 2019 emissions. ICAO's 2024 SGF is 0.15405257 (revised December 2025). The 2025 number is due by October 31, 2026, and there is no 2026 number yet.
Example: you burn 1,562,000 gallons of Jet A on covered international flights in 2024. That is about 15,000 tonnes (1,562,000 × 0.009603). 15,000 × 0.15405257 = about 2,311 tonnes to offset, roughly 15% of what you emitted. The whole 15,000 counts, not just the part over 10,000. In round numbers that is about $0.17 per gallon if you offset everything, and about $0.03 per gallon with the SGF (0.009603 tonnes per gallon × $18 × 0.154). At about $18 per tonne for CORSIA Phase 1 units (a moving price), that is roughly $42,000.
What it takes: a monitoring plan, an annual emissions report checked by an accredited verifier (the simplified CERT works under 25,000 tonnes), then cancelling eligible units for 2024-2026 by January 31, 2028. Under 10,000 tonnes there is no CORSIA offsetting; the FAA program is open to you voluntarily.
If offsets are required, you buy and cancel vetted CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units (one unit equals one tonne of CO2). For 2024-2026 they must be cancelled by January 31, 2028. A CORSIA Technical Advisory Board (TAB) updates a list of eligible unit providers. Look for their linked Summary Table on this webpage.
Note: CORSIA units and ETS credits differ and do not cross over.
Advice: Outsource and get back to flying; you don't want the smoke. The previously mentioned vendors could reduce the compliance burden.
SAF
Sustainable Aviation Fuels are rising, and production volume is increasing. Only four producers exist: Neste, World Energy, Montana Renewables, and LanzaJet. These biofuels are blended with Jet A, usually 25-30%. On the molecular level, SAF is equivalent to straight Jet A. Check with your OEM; some approve SAF fuels up to 50% blend.
If you fly in California, you may already use it without knowing, as some FBOs sell it exclusively. Regarding ETS and CORSIA, your calculations will adjust as the CO2 per kg of Jet A is reduced. How much? That depends on the blend.
Check out 4air.aero for monitoring developments in SAF and coming reporting requirements in the states.
Aviate
If you are a non-exempt European operator, research these vendors:
If you want to DIY it:
Register on the ETS where you fly the most.
Register for CORSIA. CORSIA Central Registry Materials
Download the CORSIA simplified CERT report. ICAO CORSIA CO₂ Estimation and Reporting Tool (CERT)
Abandon hope and talk to an above vendor.
Navigate
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