The flag carrier says it cannot meet its target due to a lack of new, fuel-efficient aircraft and alternative fuels.
Air New Zealand has scrapped its 2030 carbon emissions targets, citing a lack of availability of new, fuel-efficient aircraft and alternative fuels.
Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said on Tuesday that potential delays to the airline's fleet renewal plan represented “an additional risk to achieving the target”.
“The airline may have to retain its current fleet for longer than planned due to global manufacturing and supply chain issues that could delay the introduction of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft into the fleet,” Foran said in a statement.
“Therefore, and given that many of the factors necessary to achieve the target are beyond our control, the decision has been taken to retract the 2030 target and withdraw from the SBTi network immediately.”
The airline will also withdraw from the Science Based Targets Initiative, which helps companies cut emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
New Zealand's flagship airline said it was considering a new near-term carbon emissions reduction target that would better reflect challenges related to aircraft and the availability of alternative jet fuel within the industry.
Air New Zealand president Therese Walsh said the airline remains committed to achieving its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
“Our work on transitioning away from fossil fuels continues, as does our advocacy for domestic and global regulatory and policy frameworks that will help enable Air New Zealand and the broader New Zealand aviation system to do its part to mitigate the risks of climate change,” Walshe said.
Air New Zealand had planned to reduce total carbon emissions by 16.3 percent by 2030, compared with a base year of 2019.
The announcement by New Zealand's flag carrier comes as airlines are forced to take longer routes due to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, increasing their demand for emissions-generating fuel.
