Air NZ carbon offset grows slowly
THE aviation industry contributes an estimated 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
For Air New Zealand, this translates to emissions of around 3.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, making it one of the country’s largest carbon emitters.
Its domestic operations account for about 0.7% of New Zealand’s total emissions and according to its 2019 sustainability report, the airline’s carbon footprint increased by just over 5% last year, due to network growth and engine replacement challenges triggered by the RollsRoyce engine issues.
The report makes the strong point that until aviation biofuels are readily available in New Zealand, or there are ‘‘significant technology breakthroughs such as electric aircraft’’, it was unlikely to deliver further significant carbon emissions reductions through own operations.
To help manage its greenhouse gas emissions profile, in 2016 the national carrier launched its FlyNeutral programme, providing customers with the option of offsetting carbon emissions at point of sale.
Three years on, less than 5% of Kiwis offset their air flight carbon emissions, the airline says.
The programme has gained traction however, and the overall number of passengers opting into the carbon offset has climbed from around 100 bookings a month to more than 15,000 bookings currently.
Over the past year, customers offset more than 183,600 journeys, compared with 130,000 in 2018.
The numbers, and Air New Zealand’s analysis of customer behaviour during the last year, reflect a growing awareness of climate change and willingness to minimise the impact of air travel on the planet.
The inhouse analysis also shows that Air New Zealand customers in the UK are also more than twice as likely to offset their carbon impact than those based in New Zealand or Australia and those passengers travelling the farthest, are more likely to offset their flights.
How does it work?
Simply put, the emissions for each flight are divided among the passenger seats on that flight.
Each passenger can therefore pay to offset their share of the flight’s emissions, calculated by taking into account the distance travelled, the class of travel flown (economy, premium economy or business premier), and ‘‘emissions conversion factors’’ for greenhouse gas company reporting, which are sourced out of the UK.
According to Air New Zealand, the money collected goes to projects which provide sustainable emission reductions, generally through forestry initiatives in New Zealand and energy projects in countries that Air New Zealand flies to with a focus on the Pacific region.
As part of the FlyNeutral programme, Chatham Islands Mayor Alfred Preece has set aside part of his land for reforestation, encouraging regrowth of some of the Island’s unique plants and birdlife.
The project is one of six permanent native forestry projects in New Zealand, allowing more than $1 million of offsets.