Qantas Group released (31-Mar-2022) its Qantas Group Climate Action Plan, making sustainability a key pillar of decision making across all areas of the business.
Qantas also announced key targets for fuel economy and the uptake sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). These are critical to reaching net zero emissions as well as reducing waste, and growing the Group’s carbon offset program.
The carrier also announced an interim target of reducing carbon emissions by 25% (based upon 2019 levels) by 2030.
The Group’s short-term focus will be on the reduction as it aims to accelerate this progress.
This includes integrating climate change considerations in the Group’s financial structure and linking performance against targets for executive remuneration starting FY23. [more – original PR]
Today, the Qantas Group presented the steps it is taking in order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It also set an interim goal to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by 2030.
Today, the national carrier released its Qantas Group Climate Action Plan. Sustainability is now a key pillar for decision making in all areas.
Qantas set key targets for fuel efficiency, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) uptake, and waste reduction. This will all be crucial for net zero emissions and for continuing to grow the Group’s industry-leading carbon offset program.
These are the targets to reduce its environmental footprint:
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). 10 per cent use of SAF in the Groups fuel mix by 2030, and approximately 60 per cent by 2050.
- Waste reduction Zero single-use plastics by 2027 and zero general waste (excluding quarantine waste) to landfill by 2030.
- Fuel efficiency Increase fuel efficiency by an average of 1.5 per cent per year to 2030. This is possible by modernizing our aircraft fleet and using more efficient flying planning. We also continue to research next-generation technologies like hydrogen and battery power.
- Offsets continue to build our offsetting program particularly into key Australian projects.
Qantas announced today that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding in conjunction with ANZ (see separate release) for a major integrated reforestation/carbon farming project in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region. The area is approximately the same size of Belgium in South West Australia.
The project would see marginal farming land replaced with drought-resistant, sustainable native plant species. It aims to improve the environment as well as generate Australian carbon credits, which will be used to offset future carbon footprints for the three companies. It could also be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel from the cut down mallee trees.
Interim emissions target
Qantas Group was the first airline to pledge to net zero emissions by 2050. Today’s announcement of an interim target for a reduction of 25% by 2030, based on 2019 levels, is intended to accelerate this progress and provide a short term focus for the Group.
This includes integrating climate change considerations in the Group’s financial framework, and linking performance against targets for executive remuneration starting FY23.
Building a biofuels sector:
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), plays a critical role in the industry’s decarbonisation. Qantas today set a target for 10% SAF fuel uptake by 2030 and 60 percent by 2050.
Qantas is already flying with SAF sourced overseas. Since the beginning of 2022, 15% of London’s fuel has been made up of SAF. A second major supply contract has been signed to provide almost 20 million litres of blended SAF per year out of Californian Airports beginning in 2025. The agreement includes options for increasing the amounts as production grows. Negotiations are ongoing for other offshore supply agreements.
SAF is made from certified bio feedstocks such as used cooking oil, sugarcane, forestry residues and animal tallow. It can be blended with regular jet fuel to produce up to 80 percent less emissions over a lifecycle than traditional jet kerosene.
The Qantas Group has pledged $50 million towards the establishment of an Australia SAF industry. It is asking for support from all levels of government to ensure that Australia produces the same biofuel as the US, UK, and Europe.
Waste reduction:
Qantas has committed to zero single-use plastics by 2027. This means that every Qantas and Jetstar flight will use products made from compostable or recyclable packaging. We will continue to explore alternatives for some safety and health items, but a few of them will still be made from plastic.
Qantas aims to eliminate all general waste from its Australian-based operations by 2030. This includes flights, lounges, and office buildings. This means that any Qantas-generated waste will be diverted to recycling or organic waste programs or used as energy.
Qantas had previously committed to reducing landfill waste by 75 percent by 2021 and removing 100 million single-use plastic items. Some of these initiatives were temporarily suspended due to COVID. We now anticipate reaching this target by 2023.
Fleet renewal:
Qantas selected Airbus A320neo, A220 and A220 families as its preferred aircraft for its long-term fleet replacement program. This should result in fuel savings of up to 20% compared with the Boeing 717s, 737s, and 737s currently in operation. Mid-2022 is the expected date for the finalization of a firm order. Jetstar will receive the first 18 A321LRs from Jetstar in July 2022.
The fleet renewal program saw Qantass 747s fleet retire early and be replaced by Boeing 787s. These aircraft use 20% less fuel than similar-sized aircraft.
Carbon offset:
Qantas Fly Carbon neutral carbon offset program has one the highest participation rates of any airline worldwide.
Offsetting is an important tool in reaching net zero targets, especially in short- to medium-term until new low emission technology becomes accessible. Qantas will continue to expand its offsetting program, and invest in Australian and Indigenous projects whenever possible.
Qantas has recently launched its Green Tier. This program has seen more frequent flyers than 90,000 take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
CEO comments:
In a country as large as Australia, aviation is a vital industry. Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO said that having a clear plan for decarbonizing Qantas/Jetstar so we can continue delivering these services over the coming decades is crucial to our future.
Since many years, we’ve had a zero net-emissions goal. Therefore, today’s interim targets aim to accelerate our progress while cutting emissions as quickly and efficiently as technology permits.
It is still many decades before electric-powered or hydrogen-powered aircraft can be built. This is especially true for long flights.
We are looking at new aircraft that use approximately 15 to 20% less fuel. We also use sustainable aviation fuel for our London flights, which can reduce emissions by up to 88%.
These targets are a signal that there is a market for sustainable aviation fuel, carbon offset projects, and products that can be recycled. This will encourage more investments and increase the industry’s momentum.
It is a difficult task to respond to climate change, but we will succeed. Partnerships with industry, government, and all levels of government will be essential to create the supply chains that we need. Customers will also play a key role in supporting more sustainable options.