UN 
New Zealand’s Air New Zealand (Air NZ) has announced that it is withdrawing its target to reduce carbon emissions by 2030, citing difficulties in procuring more efficient aircraft and sustainable fuel.
Air NZ said in a statement that the company has abandoned its goal of reducing carbon emissions by about 29 percent by 2030 by replacing older aircraft and using renewable resources.
The statement noted that the airline is working on a new and shorter-term target, and said the industry will stick to its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Air NZ Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said there had been recent delays in renewing the fleet and that there was a risk of missing the 2022 target.
Ellis Taylor of Cirium, which conducts research on the aviation sector, noted that Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are more expensive than conventional fuels and that there is currently no capacity to produce SAF.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that the New Zealand airline has not abandoned its commitment to a net zero carbon target by 2050.
Air NZ’s decision makes it the first major airline to backtrack on its climate goal. (AA)
