Qantas pledges zero carbon emissions by 2050
Qantas has vowed to eliminate carbon emissions completely by 2050, becoming the second airline in the world to put forward such a pledge.
Chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline is set to cap net emissions at their 2020 level and cut them gradually over the next 30 years.
It will also invest $50 million over the next decade to “help develop a sustainable aviation fuel industry” in Australia and double the number of flights which offset carbon emissions by matching every dollar spent by customers who opt for the offsetting scheme when they book tickets.
Joyce said the goal to be net carbon neutral by 2050 is “ambitious, but achievable”.
“Concerns about emissions and climate change are real, but we can’t lose sight of the contribution that air travel makes to society and the economy,” Joyce said.
“The industry has already come a long way in cutting its footprint and the solution from here isn’t to simply fly less but to make it more sustainable.”
The airline also highlights its ongoing plan to obtain more fuel-efficient aircrafts such as Boeing 787 Dreamliners and A321neos.
“We recognise that airlines have a responsibility to cut emissions and combat climate change. We’ve already made some good progress, especially by investing in newer aircraft that have a much smaller carbon footprint,” said Joyce.
“We want to do more, and faster.”
In adopting the net zero emissions goal, the Australian airline joins pan-European airline company IAG, which unveiled its Flightpath net zero plan in October.
The announcement comes amid increasing scrutiny of the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. The industry contributes about 2 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions.