Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce says the airline is committed to reducing its emissions by 25 percent by 2030. Photo: AFP
The head of Qantas says there is a path to zero carbon emissions by 2050 for the aviation industry, but does not see green hydrogen in the mix.
Alan Joyce said the airline was also committed to reducing its emissions 25 percent by 2030 and had been investing in energy efficient aircraft, along with plans to develop a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use by 2050.
Joyce said SAF was a non-conventionally derived aviation fuel that could be made from sustainable biogenic sources, such as used cooking oils, council waste, plant oils, agricultural residues and non-biological sources, which was 80 percent more sustainable than existing fuel.
He said it could be mixed with conventional fuel distribution sources to reduce emissions, though carbon offsets would still be required.
However, the development of SAF would be expensive and would require support from the Australian government, and perhaps New Zealand's industry.
"We've asked in Australia for a mandate. So we don't think we should be the only one just doing it. It's a lot more expensive than jet kerosene, and it needs government help to make it cost effective and to get an industry started," Joyce said.
"We think it could create 20,000 jobs in Australia alone and could create a lot of jobs here in New Zealand.
"And we think it could be phenomenal for fuel independence and we all know the implications when we've had things cut off."
He said the heavy weight of batteries to power electric planes meant they were currently only feasible for short distance routes.
"And then hydrogen - you talk to Boeing and Airbus - a hydrogen aircraft - we won't see that till 2050. Maybe later," Joyce said.
"And hydrogen has a huge amount of problems because you have to get the fuel to the aircraft, which means a new distribution system at airports and I can't imagine how much Auckland Airport would charge us for doing that."
