The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife has rejected claims that Zimbabwean carbon credits are ineligible under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), describing the assertions as “demonstrably and categorically false” and “a direct attack on Africa’s development and climate ambitions.”
In a statement released recently, the Ministry said the units in question meet all applicable CORSIA eligibility requirements, including recent changes adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council. The response follows a decision by the Gold Standard Foundation to delay recognition of the credits’ eligibility.
The Ministry argued that the delay stems not from a lack of environmental integrity, but from a systemic regulatory misalignment between ICAO’s technical interpretations and the sovereign tracking mechanisms required by the Paris Agreement. It said this misalignment unfairly penalises developing nations for building robust national tracking infrastructure.
The Ministry outlined that units issued on the Gold Standard Impact Registry following a corresponding adjustment by Zimbabwe are new, legally distinct units. It emphasised that no questions have been raised about the underlying environmental integrity of the credits.
Zimbabwe reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to ensure fair treatment of its carbon credits in global markets. The Ministry expressed confidence that ongoing efforts will lead to a swift resolution, delivering crucial climate finance to communities that need it most.