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Air New Zealand has dropped its 2030 sustainability target citing supply chain issues.
The carrier, which is also withdrawing from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), said “many of the levers” it needs to meet its target, including the ability to acquire new aircraft, availability and affordability of alternative fuels, and regulatory and policy support, are out of its hands.
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“In recent months, and more so in the last few weeks, it has also become apparent that potential delays to our fleet renewal plan pose an additional risk to the target’s achievability,” said airline CEO Greg Foran.
“It is possible the airline may need to retain its existing fleet for longer than planned due to global manufacturing and supply chain issues that could potentially slow the introduction of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft into the fleet.
“As such, and given so many levers needed to meet the target are outside our control, the decision has been made to retract the 2030 target and withdraw from the SBTi network immediately.”
Air New Zealand said it will work on a new near-term emissions reduction target that “could better reflect the challenges relating to aircraft and alternative jet fuel availability within the industry”.
The airline’s chair, Dame Therese Walsh, said Air New Zealand “remains committed to reaching its 2050 net zero carbon emissions target”.
“Our work to transition away from fossil fuels continues, as does our advocacy for the global and domestic regulatory and policy settings that will help facilitate Air New Zealand, and the wider aviation system in New Zealand, to do its part to mitigate climate change risks,” she said.
The airline has adopted a number of sustainability initiatives in recent months, including the purchase of 9 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at LAX and partnering with the NZ government to invest more than $2 million into domestic SAF production.
The carrier is also looking into electric aviation, last year choosing the ALIA from electric aerospace company BETA Technologies as the first aircraft in its Mission Next Gen program. Air New Zealand will initially fly cargo services with NZ Post using the ALIA from Wellington to Marlborough Airport on the other side of the Cook Strait.
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