• New target focuses on 20–25% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 from 2019 levels.
• Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remains critical—goal set at 10% SAF usage by 2030 vs. 0.4% in 2023.
• Original 2030 SBTi-approved goal dropped due to stalled tech, SAF supply, and policy gaps.

Air New Zealand has released revised 2030 climate targets, aiming to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 20% to 25% from 2019 levels—marking a shift from its earlier Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-approved goal, which it deemed unattainable.

The new guidance centers on “well-to-wake” emissions, which comprise 92% of the airline’s total GHG footprint. These emissions cover the full lifecycle of jet fuel, from production to combustion.

The revised target replaces the airline’s previous commitment to reduce carbon intensity by 28.9% by 2030 under the SBTi. That target was dropped in July 2024 when the airline acknowledged insufficient progress in enabling technologies and support systems.

“Many of the levers needed to reach our target had not sufficiently advanced,” the company said, pointing to fleet renewal delays, limited SAF availability, and regulatory gaps.

Despite scaling back near-term ambition, Air New Zealand reaffirmed that Sustainable Aviation Fuel remains its most critical decarbonization lever. The airline is targeting 10% SAF usage by 2030—a dramatic increase from just 0.4% in 2023. For 2024, it expects to reach 1.6%.

The airline will also continue to pursue longer-term solutions such as zero-emissions aircraft technologies, carbon removals, and operational efficiencies.

RELATED ARTICLE: Air New Zealand Drops 2030 Carbon Intensity Reduction Targets in Climate Policy Shift

Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Kiri Hannifin acknowledged the difficult trade-offs in setting realistic goals:

“I am sure there will be higher levels of ambition, and I acknowledge there will be many people who will argue we should be doing more. For us, we want to be very honest about what we think is possible given the challenges involved in decarbonising the aviation sector. Setting something we can’t reach wouldn’t be tika. This will still be a stretch for us.”

Air New Zealand has kept its 2050 net zero goal and plans to update its full transition plan later this year.

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