Air New Zealand has become the first major airline to abandon its 2030 carbon emissions reduction goal, citing difficulties in obtaining new planes and sustainable jet fuel.

CEO Greg Foran explained that potential delays in fleet renewal due to global supply chain issues may force the airline to keep its existing, less fuel-efficient aircraft longer than planned.

Initially, Air New Zealand aimed to cut emissions by nearly 29% by 2030 but has now readjusted this target, acknowledging the challenges in sourcing sustainable fuels and new planes.

The aviation industry, responsible for about 2.5% of global emissions, typically plans to reduce its carbon footprint through a combination of offsetting, more efficient aircraft, and sustainable aviation fuels.

However, the feasibility of producing sufficient sustainable fuels remains questionable, given competing demands for land to grow food.

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https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jul/30/air-new-zealand-is-first-major-airline-to-scrap-2030-emissions-target