DelAgua’s Chief Financial Officer, Rory McDougall, attended the Argus Europe Carbon conference last week in Nice, joining a panel discussion titled ‘CORSIA Supply, Authorisations and Environmental Integrity’. The session brought together key voices from across the carbon and aviation sectors, including Juan Carlos Arredondo Brun (Member of Technical Advisory Body, ICAO) and Vincent Verweij (Co-head of Carbon Markets, Valitera), to assess the condition and outlook of the CORSIA market.
Airlines: The Time to Act Is Now
A clear message echoed throughout the conference – one that has been building across recent industry events: airlines need to start purchasing carbon credits now rather than waiting until next year. With compliance deadlines approaching and supply dynamics still evolving, panellists and delegates alike emphasised that early movers will be better positioned to secure high-quality units at competitive prices. Delaying procurement carries real risk in a market where demand is set to ramp up significantly.
EU Concept Note Draws Criticism
A significant topic of discussion was the EU’s approach to CORSIA. There was a widely shared view that the EU’s Concept Note was published too late and, rather than supporting the development of a functional CORSIA market, has introduced unnecessary uncertainty. Many participants felt the timing and framing of the note were not constructive, and that clearer, earlier engagement from the EU would have better served all market participants.
An Optimistic Outlook
Despite these challenges, the overarching mood at the conference was one of optimism. There is a genuine sense that the CORSIA scheme, while still being refined, is heading in the right direction. Stakeholders across the carbon chain are engaging seriously with the mechanisms needed to deliver environmental integrity, and the conversations in the room reflected a market that is maturing and gaining momentum.
DelAgua remains actively engaged in these discussions as part of our commitment to delivering high-quality carbon credits that meet the highest standards of environmental integrity. We look forward to continuing to play our part as the CORSIA market develops.
