A Sectoral Application of the Polluter Pays Principle: Lessons Learned from the Aviation Sector

The search for a global market-based measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international civil aviation has faced legal obstacles. One of these is linked to the basis of such a measure: the polluter pays principle. The application of the principle in the aviation legal regime has resulted in a conflict of norms. As a solution, the International Civil Aviation Organization, in 2016, adopted a market-based measure in the form of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (corsia). This article will address the following two questions: By adopting corsia, and by negotiating its implementation, has icao produced a successful integration of the polluter pays principle in a sectoral legal regime of norms and institutions? If yes, could icao’s success provide arguments for a sectoral application of the polluter pays principle more broadly in public international law?