Airline carrier Air New Zealand announced that the company expects to reduce its “well-to-wake” net GHG emissions by 20-25% by 2030 compared with a 2019 baseline. 

Well-to-wake emissions are the total emissions from jet fuel, including fuel production, distribution and combustion in flight, according to a statement. 

In its 2024 financial year, well-to-wake emissions from jet fuel accounted for 92% of Air New Zealand’s 4.3 million tons of GHG emissions. Air New Zealand’s 2030 emissions guidance is on a net emissions reduction basis, rather than an intensity basis, to more closely align with its 2050 net zero carbon emissions target. 

The 2030 Emissions Guidance relies on Air New Zealand meeting its target to use 10% SAF as a percentage of total fuel in 2030. This is in line with the airline’s commitment under the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow Ambition Statement. 

The guidance assumes the ongoing global scaling of SAF supply and Air New Zealand being able to access appropriate volumes of SAF at reasonable prices. The airline’s ability to do this relies on external developments in production, technology, certification, costs and policy support. 

The 2030 guidance also relies on Air New Zealand receiving delivery of its committed aircraft orders and deploying its fleet in line with its five-year fleet and network plan.

The goal by the airline relies on a range of operational and fuel efficiency initiatives that aim to reduce fuel use both in the air and on the ground. The guidance assumes the delivery of identified initiatives in planned timeframes, including support from airports and aviation technology suppliers. 

The airline also plans to rely on the use of carbon credits from Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a global compliance obligation requiring the offset of international aviation emissions growth above 85% of the international aviation 2019 baseline.