Air New Zealand has become the first major airline to abandon its 2030 carbon emissions reduction target. The airline cited challenges in procuring new, fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable jet fuel as key reasons for its decision.
CEO Greg Foran announced that recent months, and particularly recent weeks, have revealed significant risks to achieving the original goal. He noted potential delays in the airline’s fleet renewal plan, which may force the company to retain its current aircraft longer than anticipated. These delays are attributed to global manufacturing and supply chain issues that could impede the introduction of newer, more fuel-efficient planes.
Originally, Air New Zealand aimed to reduce its carbon emissions by nearly 29% by 2030. However, the company is now revising this target to align with more realistic expectations, given the current limitations in sustainable fuel options and the pace of fleet renewal.
While the aviation industry as a whole is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, Air New Zealand’s decision highlights the broader challenges faced by airlines. Flying is known to be one of the most carbon-intensive modes of travel, contributing about 2.5% of global emissions, even though only 10% of the world’s population travels by plane in an average year.
Most airlines are pursuing a combination of strategies to reduce emissions, including offsetting, upgrading to more energy-efficient aircraft, and using sustainable aviation fuels. However, these fuels—produced from biomass such as crops, waste oil, and forestry and agricultural waste—are currently far from being a viable or scalable replacement for conventional kerosene-based jet fuels. Reports have indicated that there is no realistic or scalable alternative to the current fuels, raising concerns about whether the aviation industry can meet its emissions reduction targets without compromising food security and land use.
The shift in Air New Zealand’s strategy underscores the significant hurdles in transitioning to more sustainable aviation practices and reflects broader industry struggles in meeting ambitious climate goals.
