Question 1

Why should I participate in the Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme?

Accepted Answer

Air travel creates carbon dioxide emissions as well as other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. When you participate in the Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme with Air New Zealand, half your contribution goes to Trees That Count to support native nature projects around New Zealand which have biodiversity and carbon benefits. The other half of your contribution goes towards Sustainable Aviation Fuel , a form of alternative jet fuel commonly referred to as SAF, which has lower lifecycle emissions than traditional fossil fuels. Apart from reducing flying, SAF is considered one of the main ways to decarbonise air travel today.

Question 2

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

Accepted Answer

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%) compared to 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.

Question 3

Does my contribution offset the emissions from my flight?

Accepted Answer

Your participation in the Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme does not offset your air travel emissions but it is a contribution towards SAF and native trees in New Zealand. When you opt in we estimate your share of your booked flight's emissions and give you the option to contribute to a small portion of SAF which has been delivered into the aviation fuel system. The equivalent emissions savings from that portion are allocated to you and no other passengers. Buying native trees through our partner Trees That Count , also doesn't offset your emissions, but it does enable planting of native trees to support biodiversity and carbon absorption in New Zealand's native forests.

Question 4

Can I include the emissions savings on my personal carbon footprint by contributing to SAF?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While SAF may not be on your flight, when you opt in to the Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme, the emissions savings from SAF will be allocated to you and no other passengers.

Question 5

How are emissions savings from SAF allocated to me?

Accepted Answer

For every flight, emissions are counted by both Air New Zealand in our emissions reporting and by our passengers in their personal carbon footprint. SAF can reduce Air New Zealand's own emissions footprint and also be allocated to passengers or freighters to reduce their own carbon footprint. When you opt in to the Voluntary Emission Contribution Programme, our partner Chooose records this, and Air New Zealand then retires these emissions reductions on your behalf, so they can't be allocated to any other customer. These emissions reductions are often referred to as Scope 3 SAF certificates (SAFc). This follows globally accepted best practice for emission reductions through SAF.

Question 6

Do I get a certificate showing the emissions reductions or SAFc?

Accepted Answer

Not at the moment, however, the kilograms of emissions reductions will be shown to you on-screen during your booking process, which you can keep a record of. If you're interested in reporting your emissions savings via SAF in the future, we'd love to hear from you by email.

Question 7

Where does the money go?

Accepted Answer

Air New Zealand is buying small amounts of SAF, which is typically between two and five times the cost of fossil jet fuel. In the 2026 financial year, SAF made up ∼1.2% of our total fuel, and our ambition is that SAF will be 10% of our jet fuel by 2030. Half* your contribution supports Air New Zealand's use of SAF, and the other half goes to our partner, Trees That Count , to fund native nature and biodiversity projects around Aotearoa New Zealand. *An administration fee of 15% is deducted by our partner, Chooose, to sell SAFc on our behalf. For more information, see Chooose's Terms and Conditions .

Question 8

If I contribute less than the suggested amount, will I still support the same emissions reductions and number of trees?

Accepted Answer

No. If you contribute less, your emissions reductions from SAF will be smaller, and you'll support fewer native trees. The suggested contribution you see when booking reflects the maximum impact you can make.

Question 9

Is Air New Zealand making any money on its Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme?

Accepted Answer

No. Air New Zealand doesn't make any margin or profit on our customers' contributions to the Programme. Your contribution goes towards supporting Air New Zealand's use of SAF, and to buying native trees through Trees That Count.

Question 10

How do you calculate the price of SAFc for passengers?

Accepted Answer

The cost of SAF can vary depending on how it’s produced, and where and when it’s purchased. We’ve set a consistent price to make it simple for passengers to support SAF, rather than passing on these fluctuations. As the SAF market develops we will review this price.

Question 11

Why am I only able to buy 5% of emissions savings?

Accepted Answer

We’re starting with a 5% option as a simple way for passengers to support SAF. We’re continuing to develop our SAF offering and hope to provide more choice over time. If you're interested in buying more, we'd love to hear from you by email.

Question 12

Where is the SAF that I've contributed to?

Accepted Answer

All SAF purchased by Air New Zealand is used in ports on our network. SAF we have purchased has been supplied into the fuel system at Los Angeles, San Francisco, Auckland, Wellington, Singapore, and Narita airports.

Question 13

What's the difference between SAF certificates and carbon credits?

Accepted Answer

Carbon credits support projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions outside of a company's direct operations/value chain. Carbon credits are referred to globally as "offsetting" or "Beyond Value Chain Mitigation" because they "compensate for" or mitigate the carbon, as the emissions reduction occurs separately from the activity that generated the emissions. In comparison, SAF certificates are a mechanism to address emissions within the aviation value chain. This type of mechanism is often referred to globally as "insetting" and means tackling emissions within the same system where they occur.

Question 14

Why can't I buy carbon credits anymore?

Accepted Answer

We know some customers like the option of carbon credits and we hope you'll consider opting into SAF to support this aviation-specific option.

Question 15

Is Air New Zealand's SAF certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Air New Zealand receives documentation from its SAF suppliers to verify the lifecycle emissions reductions and that the SAF is compliant with a recognised sustainability certification (e.g. ISCC, EU RED).

Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions