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Responsible thing to do': Qantas pledges zero net emissions by 2050

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/responsible-thing-to-do-qantas-pledges-zero-net-emissions-by2050-20191110-p5394d.html

Qantas will pledge to cut its net carbon emissions to zero by 2050, breaking ranks with its global airline peers at a time when aviation is under unprecedented scrutiny over its contribution to climate change. The Australian carrier will on Monday become the second airline group in the world to make a zero net emissions commitment, which it plans to achieve through fuel efficiency and the use of carbon offset schemes. Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the goals would result in the airline group, including budget arm Jetstar, capping net emissions at their current level of about 12 million tonnes from next year and then cut it gradually over the next 30 years.It will not be a straight line to zero simply because the progress on biofuel and other technology will not be linear, either. Aviation contributes about 2 per cent of the world's carbon emissions and that is likely to grow as the number of people flying double every year between now and 2037, according to International Air Transport Association forecasts. However, he said air travel's contribution to society and the economy should not be forgotten. "The industry has already come a long way in cutting its footprint and the solution from here is not to simply 'fly less' but to make it more sustainable," Mr Joyce said."We are doing this because it's the responsible thing to do, but hopefully it will also encourage more people to choose Qantas and Jetstar". And more of its carbon emissions will be mitigated with "offsetting schemes" that either pull carbon out of the atmosphere or prevent it from being released. About 10 per cent of Qantas passengers pay to offset their own carbon contribution when they fly through these schemes, and from Monday the airline will match those contributions. However, some scientists and environmentalists question the merits of land-based offsetting schemes, because they do not stop carbon entering the atmosphere in the first place. The company will also spend $50 million over 10 years on research and investment to help develop a biofuel industry in Australia. Alternative jet fuel, made from plants or other organic material, can cut emissions by as much as 80 per cent and are considered aviation's best hope of significantly reducing its contribution to climate change.