Air New Zealand has recently announced a significant shift regarding its climate targets, stating that the resources required to meet these goals are currently “unaffordable and unavailable.”
Air NZ said it was scrapping its 2030 science-based carbon intensity reduction target and has also announced that it will withdraw from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a joint venture between the United Nations Global Compact and others that helps companies set emissions reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement.
The company acknowledged that numerous factors required to achieve their stated goal were not directly within their control and remained challenging, which included the accessibility of new aircraft, the cost-effectiveness and availability of alternative jet fuels, as well as both global and domestic regulatory and policy backing.
“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,” Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said in a statement.
However, Foran stated the company has started its efforts to explore a new short-term climate target that would more accurately address the challenges faced by the industry.
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand chairwoman Therese Walsh cited that Air NZ remains tight with its commitment to achieving 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.”
Air New Zealand has been considered the most attractive workplace in the country, the 2024 Randstad Employer Brand Research recently revealed. The airline has claimed the top spot for two consecutive years and now has a total of eight wins for the said award.