Can We Move Air New Zealand in a New Direction?

By Celsias

Posted on Aug. 30, 2013. Listed in:

Last month we posted a story asking for your thoughts about Air New Zealand and whether it deserves the credit it claims (and is given) for being a leader in sustainability

In response we got back some interesting comments from the Celsias community. Firstly, nobody thought that Air NZ was actually delivering on the sustainability goals that it is getting credit for and the consensus was that they should be doing a whole lot more.

Some questioned Air NZ's efforts to recycle some of the vast amount of waste that it produces daily. But most focused on fuel. What are they doing to replace fossil fuels? Where is their bold strategy for going 100% renewable. Where is their leadership in an industry that seems currently massively unsustainable?

We want to build on these initial thoughts. We would like the remarkable Celsias community to help start a conversation that will push Air NZ to become the leader that we need them to be.

So what can Air NZ do to drive fuel sustainability? What technologies are the ones to lead them forward? Which other airlines are leading the way? How can Air New Zealand make a commercial case from being dramatically more sustainable?

Your input will help us present Air NZ with some practical solution ideas that they can implement. But more than that, your input will let them know that you expect leadership from them. That you expect them to be bold, innovative and visionary. That you don't accept that our iconic national carrier, which is mostly government owned, should be flying us into an unsustainable future.

We want all your ideas big and small. Please comment below.

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If you see any unhelpful comments, please .

Phil 10°

I think AirNZ should be partnering in NZ to drive the biofuels infrastructure that we are missing to make aviation biofuels a reality. There have been loads of commercial flights using drop-in bio fuels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_biofuel) but the main barrier is that the fuels are not being produced in sufficient quantities.
NZ is amazingly well placed to produce the raw materials for biofuels from currently unproductive land and proven technology exists to convert it into aviation fuel. If AirNZ partnered with industry, government, land owners etc they could kickstart a biofuels industry that would transform not only AirNZ but New Zealand as a whole. To do this they wouldn't need to bankroll that much of it. Even just signing agreements to purchase fuel would allow many of the other pieces to fall into place.

Written in August

Andrew

So what is Air NZ doing? Their website (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/environment) refers to two initiatives that allow customers to make donations to environmental causes. Air NZ's contribution? And as the national carrier, transporting overseas visitors, their apparent lack of commitment to separating waste is embarrassing.

Peter 10°

Do you get a sense of Air New Zealand systematically and systemically checking their environmental credentials constantly- I don't . What i fear is that my favourite airline in the world will be found lacking - a bit like Fonterra and I so hope I'm wrong. I'm not sure how much more of a thrashing our country brand can take.

Nick Gerritsen

I think that there needs to be greater transparency around AirNZs engagement with climate change. One example is that CO2 offsetting should be inherently included in the price if a ticket - just like some airlines do with fuel surcharges.

Sophie J. 263°

I've noticed that in booking tickets on Air NZ that travel insurance is automatically added in to the price of the ticket and you have to select it 'off'. Meanwhile, the carbon offsetting button is an option that remains as a casual offer. It looks really cynical and shows that Air NZ's alliances are much more toward the insurance industry!! I'd like to see the carbon offset much more aggressively offered - and explained - and regular photos of the trees being planted/carbon being saved posted back up. The airline has a huge customer base who are looking for leadership - the final booking screen is a great opportunity for education and explanation.

Written last month

James Shaw

The weight of paint on aircraft makes a big difference to fuel consumption. Less paint reduces takeoff weight and fuel consumption considerably.

If Air New Zealand changed it's livery to silver (ie polished rather than painted fuselage) it would reduce CO2 emissions noticeably.

Changing livery is obviously a very significant marketing decision and polish costs slightly more than paint overall, but saved fuel costs should offset this.

Shifting to a polished livery and reducing CO2 emissions immediately would send an important signal about the seriousness with which they take their environmental commitment.

Silver is also not a million miles away from the white that most of their planes are currently painted, so it's not a huge leap to make (although it obviously is a long way from black...)

Justin

Richard Branson and Virgin serve as a wonderful comparative as an airline. Virgin is investing heavily into carbon zero fuel research. They are taking their profits and investing in the research; generating knowledge and innovation (patentable assets). Either we need to research this too on our own, or invest with Virgin and share in the rewards.

Honestly, flying is one of the worst culprits around travel-based CO2 emissions. We have to resolve this to maintain a "100% Pure" NZ brand with integrity.

Harry Ality

I think these are all good points and suggestions. But until I (the consumer) demand that my products be sustainable and ethical etc then they won't / can't really change much. And the only way to change the way we play the game would be to change the rules it seems, without that I'll fly the cheapest I can, even DeathStar if needed and not even bother with the $1.23 carbon tax which so obviously can't cover the damage I do to the environment it enables me to joke about it.
I'd like to know how is the idea of an airline company running for profit a sustainable concept in this day and age?
Get me out of this progress trap.
My most intimate experience with AirNZ was working at a big party they hosted at the Beehive. Guests walked through a fake DOC hutt into a lavish setup. Plants were brought in from Hawkes Bay, fine wine, food, etc etc. Winston was even smoking a cigarette inside!
Cheers

Simon 0°

There are some really good points raised here.

Phil mentioned the availability of drop-in bio-fuels. AirNZ would certainly gain priceless positive global attention if they formed a meaningful relationship with an NZ-based bio-fuel producer. We don't need exotic nuts, we have all we need right here to produce oceans of clean fuel. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/462317/Oily-nuts-not-just-snacks-on-Air-New-Zealand

Nick and Sophie both make the case for compulsory carbon offsetting. We can't opt out of ACC levies when we drive our cars, so why should we be able to opt out of carbon offsetting when flying? Perhaps this should be captured as part of a departure/arrival tax. Our supposed 100% Pure NZ could probably benefit from some compulsory buy-in.

James points out the weight factor in a paint-job, and he is absolutely right. The other thing to consider is that the new 'black' livery makes it harder to cool the aircraft. My sources within the airline inform me that cabin crew are required to close the window shades of the aircraft if it is be parked up for more than a few hours. The idea is that it reduces solar gain via the windows, and reduces the energy (cost) requirements to maintain a comfortable internal temperature. My position is that those benefits are probably minimal, given the heat generated by the on-board entertainment systems. Together with an all-black paint-job, any efforts to reduce internal temperatures by closing window blinds might just be futile.

So I'm with James on the polished silver look. However, I'm not sure how that would work when modern aircraft eventually become more carbon-fibre/plastic than aluminum. However, many people avoid buying a black car for the reasons stated above. A reflective paint-job seems sensible.

Harry advocates changing the rules. History provides numerous examples where polluters will not reduce their disgusting habits unless forced by customer selection or regulation. Harry admits cheapest wins. So we must regulate our way to a carbon-zero future.

As AirNz is effectively government-owed, any attempt to take it beyond 'green-washing' will require Government regulation.

Most businesses seem to be focussed on the exploitive short-term, with benefits fed through to shareholders. We need to see a longer term view adopted, one that recognises that profits can achieved without an environmentally harmful legacy.

Go Celsias!

New Zealand Celsias

NZ’s guide to sustainable business and corporate citizenship

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