Air New Zealand Buys ‘High-Integrity’ Carbon Credits After Years of Hesitation

Key Points

• Air New Zealand purchased 8,000 tonnes of high-integrity carbon removal credits from native forest projects after years of skepticism about the credibility of carbon markets.
• The credits, bought through My Native Forest, are part of a broader plan to cut well-to-wake emissions by 20–25% by 2030, following the airline’s withdrawal from a more ambitious 2030 climate target.
• The airline deliberately avoided traditional avoidance credits in favor of projects with tangible carbon removals and local biodiversity benefits, emphasizing credibility and lasting impact.

Summary

Air New Zealand has made its first significant purchase of carbon removal credits, acquiring 8,000 tonnes from native forest projects in partnership with My Native Forest. This move comes after years of hesitation due to concerns about the credibility of many carbon offset schemes, with the airline opting for projects that offer verifiable carbon removals and local biodiversity gains. The purchase is part of a wider effort to reduce the airline’s emissions by 20–25% by 2030, following the abandonment of a more aggressive climate goal, and represents a significant test of Air New Zealand’s environmental commitment.