Sustainable aviation fuel
Our most important decarbonisation lever
We come from a part of the world where connection truly matters. For New Zealanders air travel is critical.
Currently over 90% of Air New Zealand’s total emissions come from burning fossil jet fuel. We’re working towards net zero carbon emissions from jet fuel by 2050.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is our most important lever to reduce aviation emissions. It is available today, works in current aircraft and infrastructure, and is certified and safe to use.
What is SAF?
SAF is almost chemically identical to fossil jet fuel, but is made from non-fossil fuel sources, including waste-based raw materials such as used cooking oil and forestry waste. SAF is blended and dropped into the fuel supply system at airports, just as fossil jet fuel is now.
When burned, SAF and fossil jet fuel release the same amount of carbon emissions. However, the SAF Air New Zealand buys has significantly lower lifecycle emissions (typically ~75-90%) than fossil jet fuel. This is because it is produced from renewable materials, including waste and residues, rather than fossil crude oil.
SAF is currently significantly more expensive than fossil jet fuel (typically two to five times the cost) and global supply remains less than 1% of total jet fuel use.
How is Air New Zealand supporting the growth of SAF?
Air New Zealand is buying and using small amounts of SAF today. We’re also helping to grow the market more broadly because it will take collective action to scale SAF.
In New Zealand, we are investing in the potential for domestic SAF production and supporting the development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificate (SAFc) market. SAFc represent the environmental benefits of SAF, allowing customers to claim the associated emissions reductions.
How can I play my part?
Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme
When booking online with Air New Zealand, you may be able to contribute to SAF through our Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme.
When booking a flight through Air New Zealand in a participating country or region, such as New Zealand, you can choose to make a contribution through our Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme.
When you participate, half your contribution goes towards SAF, the airline’s most critical lever to reduce aviation emissions. The other half of your contribution goes to our partner, Trees That Count, to support native nature projects around New Zealand. In some countries and regions, our Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme currently gives customers the option to contribute to carbon credits rather than SAF. Find out more about our Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme.
Our Scope 3 SAFc Programme for businesses
For business and cargo customers we have a Scope 3 SAFc Programme to help you address your air travel emissions.
Air New Zealand’s Scope 3 SAFc Programme is a simple way to address your organisation’s air travel emissions – no matter which airline you fly with – through bulk purchases of Air New Zealand’s Scope 3 SAFc.
We’ve built a robust programme that’s backed by verified data and responsible supply. It’s third party assured by Normec Verifavia and all our SAFc retirements are externally verified. In addition, our Scope 3 SAFc emissions reductions are recognised under Toitū Envirocare’s Climate Impact Programme.
We take care of the complexity so you can focus on the impact.
By contributing to our Scope 3 SAFc programme, you’re not only addressing some of your air travel emissions, you’re joining a network of companies helping to support the scaling of the SAF industry.
Get in touch to explore how SAFc can help your organisation.