Lumiere Says Congo Registry Can Help Fill CORSIA Carbon Shortfall

Lumiere, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereign carbon registry, said in Bangkok that it has CORSIA-eligible emissions units available and is talking with airlines, financiers and aviation specialists ahead of the scheme’s first compliance period. The move targets a reported gap of about 150 million units that airlines may need to close by January 2028.

Why it matters: - Airlines are facing a tight market for CORSIA-eligible emissions units ahead of the first compliance period, with demand estimated at 200 million to 250 million units by January 2028. - Industry reporting in September 2026 put the pool of units covered by CORSIA-compatible Letters of Authorisation at about 72 million as of August 2026. - That leaves a shortfall of roughly 150 million units, creating pressure on buyers to secure supply from credible, eligible sources.

What happened: - Lumiere, the sovereign carbon registry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said it has CORSIA-eligible emissions units available to the aviation sector. - The registry said it is in discussions with airlines, climate finance institutions and aviation sector specialists in Bangkok. - The talks are taking place around the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, held in Bangkok from Oct. 12 to 18, 2026. - Ivano Iannelli, Project Director at Lumiere SAS, is representing the registry at the meetings.

The details: - Lumiere said the registry is designed to give Congo’s environmental assets a sovereign, publicly visible system of record. - The registry aims to track, authorize and transact assets under internationally recognized frameworks rather than through opaque private arrangements. - Lumiere said the registry is accessible at lumiere.gouv.cd. - Lumiere said it is not disclosing exact volumes, vintages or pricing yet. - The registry is benchmarking a few lots of 3 million to 5 million units each. - Lumiere said it intends to engage with a limited number of counterparties first. - Discussions with interested aviation-sector buyers will proceed directly in the run-up to COP31. - Further lots will be launched at a dedicated event at COP31. - Lumiere said it expects interest from carriers, fuel suppliers, brokers and compliance intermediaries. - The registry said it will prioritize counterparties able to engage directly with Lumiere and its operating team.

Between the lines: - The pitch is as much about market trust as supply. - Airlines have said the bigger problem has been finding units that meet both CORSIA rules and internal scrutiny, especially from host countries with the capacity to authorize them properly. - A sovereign registry in a country with large forest assets could become a key source of supply if buyers view the credits as credible and easy to verify. - Iannelli framed the effort as a response to years of promises about future supply, saying the market now needs units that can actually be delivered.

What's next: - Interested airlines, aviation groups, financial institutions and other buyers are being invited to contact Lumiere directly or visit the registry. - Lumiere said it will continue direct discussions with selected counterparties before COP31. - The registry plans to unveil additional lots at COP31. - The broader market will be watching whether the Congo registry can move from announcement to actual supply fast enough to matter for airlines' 2028 compliance deadline.

The bottom line: - Lumiere is trying to position the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereign registry as a source of trusted CORSIA supply in a market that still looks short by roughly 150 million units.