Japan Airlines Sets New Green Aviation Milestone With CORSIA Carbon Removal Partnership
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Japan Airlines has announced that it has entered into a Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credit purchase agreement with Climeworks Solutions. It is the first of its kind, and has been developed to satisfy the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
The agreement marks a significant development for the global aviation industry by demonstrating growing demand for high-quality carbon removal solutions within international compliance frameworks. By creating a pathway for CORSIA-compliant carbon removal credits, JAL and Climeworks Solutions are helping establish a new market mechanism that could support aviation’s long-term journey towards net-zero emissions.
The partnership highlights JAL’s continued commitment to supporting CORSIA and advancing the use of high-integrity carbon removal technologies. While airlines are accelerating efforts to reduce emissions through cleaner fuels, fleet improvements and operational efficiency, carbon removal is expected to become increasingly important in addressing unavoidable emissions that remain after reduction measures are implemented.
Through this initiative, JAL is exploring the role of advanced carbon removal solutions, including Direct Air Capture (DAC), as part of the aviation sector’s wider climate strategy. The move reflects the airline’s efforts to support emerging technologies and strengthen the availability of credible carbon removal options for future decarbonisation needs.
The agreement builds on JAL’s wider sustainability programme, which includes fleet modernisation, operational improvements and the increased adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The airline has also been among the early aviation companies supporting CORSIA, previously retiring large volumes of eligible carbon credits under the scheme.
With this latest partnership, JAL is expanding its climate action strategy by supporting a new generation of high-quality carbon removal credits specifically aligned with international aviation requirements.
The carbon removal portfolio provided through Climeworks Solutions will include multiple removal approaches selected to comply with ICAO’s CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units (EEUs) standards. These solutions will include nature-based and technology-driven methods such as soil carbon sequestration and biochar.
Alongside CORSIA-compliant removal credits, JAL will also purchase Climeworks Direct Air Capture credits. This approach reflects the airline’s commitment to supporting both currently available carbon removal solutions and the continued development of future engineered technologies capable of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at scale.
“As the first airline to secure CORSIA-compliant carbon removals, we are proud to lead the industry toward net-zero emissions,” said Noriko Ogawa, Executive Officer and Chairperson, Sustainability Promotion Committee, Japan Airlines. “While reducing emissions through aircraft renewal, operational innovations and the use of SAF remains our top priority, high-integrity carbon removals are essential to address residual emissions. Through this pioneering partnership with Climeworks, we aim to accelerate the adoption of high-quality solutions across international aviation and contribute to a sustainable future for air travel.”
“This agreement with JAL represents an important milestone not only for aviation, but for the wider carbon removal industry,” said Adrian Siegrist, Chief Commercial Officer at Climeworks. “Earlier this year, Climeworks Solutions expanded its offering to help organizations procure carbon removal portfolios aligned with emerging compliance frameworks, including CORSIA. This agreement demonstrates how carbon removal is increasingly moving from voluntary climate action into compliance markets.”
