Air New Zealand Withdraws 2030 Emissions Initiative Due to Fuel Costs and Delays

By Thea Felicity

Jul 30 2024, 09:14 AM EDT

Passengers check-in for Air New Zealand flight number 246 destined for Wellington on April 19, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. The trans-Tasman travel bubble between New Zealand and Australia begins on Monday, with people able to travel between the two countries without needing to quarantine. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Air New Zealand announced on Tuesday that it has dropped its 2030 climate goal, becoming the first major airline to revise its near-term environmental targets, according to CBC.

The airline cited challenges in delivery delays for fuel-efficient aircraft and the high cost of alternative jet fuels. CEO, Greg Foran explained that recent developments had made the 2030 target unattainable.

He added that the airline might need to continue using its current fleet longer than anticipated due to global manufacturing and supply chain issues. As a result, Air New Zealand decided to retract its commitment to reducing carbon intensity by 28.9% compared to 2019 levels.

Air New Zealand Withdraws From Emission Reduction Initiatives

In addition to revising its climate goals, Air New Zealand also announced its withdrawal from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a UN-backed network that guides companies in aligning their emissions reduction efforts with the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Despite this withdrawal, the airline emphasized its ongoing commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Chair Therese Walsh affirmed the company's dedication to transitioning away from fossil fuels and advocating for supportive regulatory frameworks. Starting in 2016 and recently, Air New Zealand's partnership with Virgin Australia for renewable fuel option is still in tact.

Analysts expect that more in the aviation industry could follow up, considering that it's regarded as one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize.

In 2022, aviation accounted for approximately 2% of global energy-related carbon emissions, outpacing other modes of transportation in recent decades.

The International Energy Agency has since called for a need for technical measures, such as low-emission fuels and improved aircraft technology, to meet the industry's 2050 net zero emissions target.