The Qantas Group with the ANZ and INPEX will commence a major integrated reforestation and carbon farming project in Western Australia’s wheat belt region, an area the size of Belgium, as part of its push for zero emissions by 2050.
The project would see marginal farming land replanted with sustainable, drought-resistant native plant species, which aims to improve the environment and generate Australian carbon credits to help offset the three companies’ future carbon footprints.
The announcement is part of the airline’s steps to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, including an interim target to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2030.
The Qantas Group Climate Action Plan, released today makes sustainability a key pillar of decision making across all areas of the business.
Key to this is key targets for fuel efficiency and the uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which will be critical for reaching net-zero emissions, as well as reducing waste and continuing to grow the Group’s industry-leading carbon offsetting program.
These targets for reducing its environmental footprint include:
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – 10 per cent use of SAF in the Group’s 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 landfills by 2030.
- Fuel efficiency – Increase fuel efficiency by an average of 1.5 per cent per year to 2030. Achieved through updating our aircraft fleet and using more efficient flight planning, while continuing research into next-generation technologies, including hydrogen and battery power.
- Offsets – continue to build our offsetting program, particularly into key Australian projects.
Qantas said that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is critical to the decarbonisation of the industry with the airline setting a target of 10 per cent SAF in fuel uptake by 2030, and approximately 60 per cent by 2050.
Qantas has already started flying with SAF sourced from overseas, with 15 per cent of fuel used out of London comprised of SAF since the beginning of 2022. A second major supply deal has been signed for almost 20 million litres a year of blended SAF out of Californian airports from 2025, with options to increase amounts as production increases. Negotiations on other offshore supply agreements are underway.
SAF is produced from certified bio feedstock, including used cooking oil, sugar cane, forestry residues, animal tallow and other waste products. It is blended with normal jet fuel and produces up to 80 per cent less emissions on a life cycle basis when compared with traditional jet kerosene.
The Qantas Group has committed an initial $50 million towards the establishment of an Australia-based SAF industry and is calling on all levels of government to also lend support to ensure Australia manufactures the biofuel like the UK, US and Europe already are.
By 2030, Qantas is targeting to have all of its Australian-based operations completely free of ‘general waste’, including flights, lounges and office buildings. This means any waste generated by Qantas operations is planned to be diverted through recycling or organic waste programs or converted into energy.
Last year Qantas selected Airbus’s A320neo and A220 families as the preferred aircraft for Qantas’s long-term fleet renewal program, which should deliver up to 20 per cent fuel savings compared to the Boeing 717s and 737s it currently operates. A firm order is expected to be finalised by mid-2022. Jetstar will take delivery of the first of 18 A321LRs in July 2022.
The airline said its Fly Carbon Neutral carbon offset program has one of the highest participation rates of any airline in the world.
Qantas said it is committed to growing its offsetting program and investing in Indigenous and Australian projects wherever possible.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said “aviation is a crucial industry, especially in a country the size of Australia. Having a clear plan to decarbonise Qantas and Jetstar so we can keep delivering these services in the decades ahead is absolutely key to our future.
“We’ve had a zero net emissions goal for several years, so today’s interim targets are about accelerating our progress and cutting emissions as quickly as technology allows.
“Hydrogen or electric-powered aircraft are several decades away, particularly for the length of most flights, so our plan is focused on the technology that is within reach today.
“We’re looking at new aircraft that burn approximately 15 to 20 per cent less fuel and we’re already using sustainable aviation fuel for our London flights that can cut emissions by up to 80 per cent.
“One benefit of setting these targets now is sending a clear signal that we’re in the market for large volumes of sustainable aviation fuel, for carbon offset projects and for products that can be recycled. That will hopefully encourage more investment and build more momentum for the industry as a whole.
“Responding to climate change is a big challenge, but we will get there. Partnerships with industry and all levels of government are going to be key to create the supply chains we need, and customers will have a role to play as well in supporting more sustainable options,” added Mr Joyce.
