A new analysis finds that Southeast Asian nations could generate up to $8.5 billion over the next decade by supplying carbon credits to the UN-backed CORSIA program for international aviation. The scheme requires airlines to offset emissions growth above 85% of 2019 levels using eligible credits. ASEAN currently provides about 7% of global supply, mostly from forest projects in Cambodia and Laos, but the report says that volume could grow nearly eightfold if governments issue Letters of Authorization for 54 more projects that already meet CORSIA technical criteria. These projects are spread across Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and other member states. The report, backed by Boeing, GenZero, and Abatable, highlights a window for ASEAN to become a major source of high-integrity offsets while channeling climate finance into the region. Airlines face rising compliance costs as the market for CORSIA-eligible credits tightens, and a larger supply from Southeast Asia could help ease price pressure. However, the opportunity depends on governments moving quickly to authorize projects and build institutional capacity under Article 6 rules. Without timely action, the region risks leaving billions in potential revenue on the table while airlines scramble for fewer, more expensive credits elsewhere.
