Air New Zealand Drops Carbon Emission Goals

Air New Zealand has announced the abandonment of its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 28.9% by 2030, citing significant delays in the delivery of new fuel-efficient aircraft and the high costs associated with low-carbon jet fuels. Chief Executive Greg Foran stated that the airline may need to extend the use of its existing fleet due to ongoing global manufacturing and supply chain issues, which are hindering the introduction of newer aircraft. Currently, the airline is awaiting the arrival of eight Boeing 787 Dreamliners and five Airbus A320neo planes. The airline's previous target was notably more ambitious than the 5% reduction in international aviation emissions by 2030, which was agreed upon by 193 countries at a United Nations-backed conference last year. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that the aviation sector accounted for 2% of global energy-related carbon emissions in 2022, a figure that could rise if the industry fails to adopt measures such as transitioning to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and enhancing aircraft efficiency. In light of these challenges, Air New Zealand is contemplating a new near-term target that would better reflect the current realities of aircraft and alternative fuel availability. Despite this setback, the airline remains committed to its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, a recent government discussion paper indicated that New Zealand may struggle to meet its CO2 reduction targets for 2035, highlighting broader concerns about the country's climate policy trajectory.