Air New Zealand has set a new 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target, the carrier announced Wednesday. The airline in July 2024 had removed its previous 2030 target and withdrew from the Science Based Targets initiative "due to uncertainty around a number of factors needed to meet the target."
The carrier now plans to reduce by 2030 net "well-to-wake" GHG emissions from jet fuel by 20 percent to 25 percent compared with a 2019 baseline. Well-to-wake emissions are the total emissions from jet fuel, including fuel production, distribution and combustion in flight, according to Air New Zealand.
The airline's previous SBTi target—a 28.9 percent reduction in emissions intensity by 2030 versus a 2019 baseline—sought to reduce emissions per unit of flying activity.
Air New Zealand plans to update its 2030 emissions guidance each August in the carrier's climate statement. Each update "will reflect the airline's expected net emissions by 2030 based on detailed modeling of its decarbonization progress, external market conditions, and global and domestic policy developments," according to the carrier.
"Air New Zealand remains committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and we are taking practical steps today towards achieving that ambition," ANZ chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer Kiri Hannifin said in a statement. "Rather than setting an emissions target that remains static, regular emissions guidance will give our investors and customers an up-to-date and clear view of our expected emissions trajectory, including the impact from external risks and opportunities."
The airline's "key decarbonization levers" include increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel, optimizing its fleet and network, improving fuel efficiency, and using carbon credits to meet international regulatory requirements, specifically the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, and to a lesser extent using high integrity carbon removals.
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