In 2022, Air New Zealand revealed that it hoped to reduce carbon emissions by the year 2030 by almost 29%. This was a very ambitious goal, as the global aviation industry only expects to reduce overall emissions by around 5% by the start of the next decade.
There’s now a major update, as the airline has revealed that it no longer thinks it’s realistic to achieve this.
Air New Zealand withdraws from Science Based Target initiative
Air New Zealand has announced that after careful consideration, it is removing its 2030 science based carbon intensity reduction target, and will withdraw from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). As mentioned above, this set the goal of reducing emissions by nearly 29% by 2030.
The airline explains that many of the levers needed to meet the target, including the availability of new aircraft, the affordability and availability of alternative jet fuels, and global and domestic regulatory and policy support, are outside the company’s control, and remain challenging.
Here’s how Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran describes this development:
“In recent months, and more so in the last few weeks, it has also become apparent that potential delays to our fleet renewal plan pose an additional risk to the target’s achievability. It is possible the airline may need to retain its existing fleet for longer than planned due to global manufacturing and supply chain issues that could potentially slow the introduction of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft into the fleet. As such and given so many levers needed to meet the target are outside our control, the decision has been made to retract the 2030 target and withdraw from the SBTi network immediately.
Indeed, delivery of new aircraft remains a major challenge, as so many airlines are dealing with delays for new aircraft deliveries. For example, Air New Zealand has a bunch of Boeing 787s on order (which are supposed to feature new business class seats), but their delivery has been delayed significantly.
Sustainable aviation fuel is an even trickier topic, if you ask me. While the concept of sustainable aviation fuel is great, I question whether we’ll get to the point where it meaningfully reduces emissions in the industry, both in terms of availability and pricing.
Air New Zealand still hopes to be carbon neutral by 2050
While Air New Zealand is withdrawing from its 2030 science based carbon intensity reduction target, that of course doesn’t mean the airline is giving up on its environmental goals.
The airline is now working on considering a new near-term carbon emissions reduction target that could better reflect the challenges relating to aircraft and alternative jet fuel availability within the industry. The industry overall remains committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Here’s how Air New Zealand Chair Therese Walsh describes this development:
“Air New Zealand remains committed to reaching its 2050 net zero carbon emissions target. Our work to transition away from fossil fuels continues, as does our advocacy for the global and domestic regulatory and policy settings that will help facilitate Air New Zealand, and the wider aviation system in New Zealand, to do its part to mitigate climate change risks.”
Bottom line
Air New Zealand has withdrawn from its 2030 climate goal, as the airline acknowledges that it’s no longer realistic. This is largely due to delayed aircraft deliveries, plus sustainable aviation fuel not being more widely available and economical.
Air New Zealand was one of the most aggressive airlines with its climate goal, and those efforts were commendable. However, the industry faces some uphill battles, and this is clearly one of them.
What do you make of Air New Zealand updating its climate goal?
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