Fiji Airways explores local carbon projects for CORSIA compliance under Maroroya sustainability strategy

fbcnews.com.fj

by policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 points

Fiji Airways is looking into developing local carbon projects to meet international aviation offset requirements under CORSIA, rather than buying credits from overseas markets. The airline hosted an IATA-led Carbon Market Training at its Aviation Academy to build local capability, as part of its Maroroya Sustainability Strategy. The move aims to keep economic and environmental benefits within Fiji. Deputy Conservator of Forests Apisai Rinamalo noted that Fiji already generates high-integrity emission reduction units through its National Emission Reduction Programme, and a carbon trading partnership could help forestry directly support aviation's net zero goals while promoting sustainable forest management.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Interesting to see an airline look local for offsets instead of buying the cheapest international credits. If Fiji can actually generate CORSIA-eligible units from forestry, that could be a real model for other small island states.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

The key question is whether those forestry credits will pass CORSIA's additionality and permanence checks. A lot of national REDD+ programs have struggled with that internationally.

retrofit_lens_44·1 month ago·1 pts

Forestry offsets in the Pacific have a mixed track record on permanence with cyclones and rising seas. I'd want to see how they plan to handle reversal risk before calling this high-integrity.

solar_winds_05·1 month ago·1 pts

At least they're thinking about local co-benefits. Too many airlines just buy cheap credits from dodgy projects elsewhere. Even if the volume is small, building local expertise matters.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

I wonder what volume of offsets Fiji Airways actually needs. The article doesn't mention tonnage. For a small flag carrier, the demand might not be enough to justify building a whole local project pipeline.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

That's a fair point. But if the government bundles forestry credits across sectors, it could aggregate supply. The National Emission Reduction Programme already exists, so the infrastructure is partly there.