RuAviation

Starting September 1, 2026, Russian airlines must record fuel consumption and report CO2 emissions on all international flights. Amendments to Russia’s Air Code and federal greenhouse gas emission restrictions law, prepared by the Ministry of Economic Development in coordination with the Ministry of Transport, mandate compliance and establish the implementation timeline.

The amendments implement Russia’s integration into ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Under the new rules, carriers must log fuel burn for each international sector, prepare CO2 emissions reports and submit them to the Ministry of Economic Development. The legislation establishes a system for accrediting independent verification bodies to confirm report accuracy. Specific monitoring methodologies and the accreditation procedure will be defined in secondary regulations.

CORSIA requires mandatory reporting and offsetting of emissions growth above an established baseline. If emissions exceed that baseline, an operator must either acquire carbon credits or use recognized low‑carbon fuels, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or CORSIA‑eligible fuel (CEF).

Operationally, carriers will need to deploy software and automated data‑collection systems, and train staff for monitoring and reporting tasks. Verification of reports will become a recurrent operational expense, and any increase in emissions will generate additional costs for purchasing offsets. According to industry estimates, Russian airlines’ cumulative compliance costs between 2027 and 2035 will range from RUB 61–258 billion.

Authorities are developing measures to reduce these expenses. The Ministry of Economic Development is exploring the accreditation of Russian domestic carbon credits for use under CORSIA. Projects to scale up production of sustainable aviation fuel are underway. Should Russian climate initiatives and carbon credits gain international recognition, operators could use domestic offsets and reduce foreign‑currency outlays.

CORSIA has been in operation since 2019 and applies to carriers whose international emissions exceed 10,000 metric tonnes of CO2 annually. From 2026 the scheme moves into a phase of mandatory participation for most ICAO member states. Russia has been an ICAO member since the organization’s founding, but its participation in CORSIA has been voluntary until now. This regulatory framework enables Russian airlines to meet international standards and avoid operational restrictions in overseas markets.

Joining CORSIA also aligns with Russia’s declared strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Establishing legal monitoring and offsetting frameworks provides the foundation for a transparent carbon trading system and integrates Russian aviation into global climate policy.