Air New Zealand Abandons 2030 Emissions Target Amid Sector Challenges

Air New Zealand has dropped its 2030 emissions reduction target due to delivery delays of fuel-efficient aircraft and high costs of green fuel. Despite this, the airline remains committed to net zero emissions by 2050. The move underscores aviation's struggle to meet de-carbonisation goals, with various external factors cited as challenges.

Air New Zealand announced on Tuesday its decision to abandon its 2030 emissions reduction target, attributing the move to delays in the delivery of fuel-efficient aircraft and elevated green fuel prices. This decision underscores the challenges aviation faces in meeting de-carbonisation goals.

Although the airline has stepped back from its immediate climate aspirations, it insists on its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and is working on establishing a new near-term target. Currently, aviation is responsible for roughly 2% of global emissions and is one of the toughest sectors to decarbonize due to the difficulty in replacing flight fuel with alternative power sources.

Many levers necessary to achieve the target, including the availability of new aircraft, affordability and availability of alternative jet fuels, and regulatory and policy support, are beyond the airline's control and remain challenging, New Zealand's flag carrier elaborated in a statement. The industry is banking on plant-based Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and more efficient aircraft for near-term emissions reduction, but SAF production is costly and challenging to scale up, and plane manufacturers are facing delays in delivering new-generation aircraft.

(With inputs from agencies.)