Aviation Activities Under ICAO CORSIA Verification Services
QSI Belgelendirme Muayene ve Test Hizmetleri Ltd. Şti.
| ACCREDITATION NO AB-0001-DK | ACCREDITATION BODY TURKAK | REVISION DATE 04.09.2024 | PROGRAMME ICAO CORSIA |
| Applicable Standards: ISO/IEC 17029:2019 • ISO 14065:2020 • ISO 14064-3:2019 |
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) is a global climate programme adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its 39th Assembly in 2016. The scheme aims to stabilise international aviation CO₂ emissions at 2020 levels by applying a carbon-neutral growth framework from 2020 onwards.
CORSIA requires aircraft operators to monitor, report, and have independently verified (MRV) the CO₂ emissions arising from their international flights. Where emissions exceed a defined baseline, operators must purchase approved carbon credits (Eligible Emission Units — EEUs) to offset the surplus, enabling the aviation sector to continue growing while contributing to global carbon balance.
Turkey declared its intent to voluntarily participate in CORSIA through the Bratislava Declaration of the European Civil Aviation Conference on 3 September 2016. The competent authority responsible for implementing CORSIA in Turkey is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM).
CORSIA Implementation Phases
| BASELINE PERIOD 2019 – 2020 Emissions Baseline | PILOT PHASE 2021 – 2023 Voluntary Participation | FIRST PHASE 2024 – 2026 Voluntary Participation | SECOND PHASE 2027 – 2035 Mandatory Participation |
SCOPE
CORSIA applies exclusively to international (cross-border) flights; domestic flights are addressed separately under national regulations. All aircraft operators of ICAO member states are required to monitor, report, and have independently verified their CO₂ emissions from international flights starting from 2019.
| EXEMPTIONS FROM SCOPE • Aircraft operators emitting less than 10,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ per year • Aircraft with a Maximum Take-Off Mass (MTOM) of less than 5,700 kg • Aircraft used for humanitarian, medical, or firefighting purposes • Least Developed Countries (unless voluntarily participating) |
OUR ACCREDITATION SCOPES
QSI Belgelendirme is an independent Validation and Verification Body (VVB) accredited by TURKAK under ISO/IEC 17029:2019, ISO 14065:2020, and ISO 14064-3:2019. The company provides services under the following three accredited scopes.
| 1 | Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from International Flights Aviation / Under the ICAO CORSIA scheme |
| This scope covers the independent verification of annual CO₂ emission reports for international flights operated between ICAO member states. Aircraft operators are required to have their emission reports verified by an accredited body before submission to SHGM. Legal & Technical References: • SARPS Version 2 – International Standards and Recommended Practices, Environmental Protection – CORSIA (Annex 16, Vol. IV) • ETM Doc 9501, Vol. IV – Environmental Technical Manual • SHY-16.4 – Regulation on Monitoring of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Aviation Activities (SHGM) • SHT-CORSIA – Civil Aviation Instruction | |
| 2 | Verification of Emission Unit Cancellation Reports for International Flights Aviation / Under the ICAO CORSIA scheme |
| This scope covers the independent verification of reports confirming the cancellation of carbon credits (Eligible Emission Units — EEUs) purchased by aircraft operators under their offsetting obligations. This ensures transparency and fulfillment of requirements. Legal & Technical References: • SARPS Version 2 – Annex 16, Vol. IV • ETM Doc 9501, Vol. IV – Environmental Technical Manual: Procedures for CORSIA compliance | |
| 3 | Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Domestic Flights Aviation / Under SHGM Regulation (SHY-16.4) |
| This scope covers the verification of CO₂ emissions from flights operated within Turkey, carried out within the national regulatory framework. Only TURKAK-accredited bodies authorised by SHGM may conduct this verification. Legal & Technical References: • SHY-16.4 – Regulation on Monitoring of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (SHGM) • SHT-CORSIA – Civil Aviation Instruction | |
| Why QSI Belgelendirme? QSI Belgelendirme is the first organisation authorised by the Ministry of Environment regarding the National MRV System and the first to receive TURKAK accreditation under ISO 14065. In terms of verified annual emission volumes and number of clients, QSI is the largest greenhouse gas verification body in both Turkey and the European Union. Backed by the assurance of an accredited, independent body, QSI delivers reliable, timely, and comprehensive verification services. |
