Qantas highlights long-term carbon market investment strategy to support net zero goals

Australian airline group Qantas has outlined its ongoing investment strategy in carbon markets, emphasising the role of carbon credits in supporting its 2030 and 2050 net emissions targets as aviation continues to face significant decarbonisation challenges.

The airline said carbon projects outside the aviation sector would remain an important part of its climate strategy alongside direct emissions reduction measures such as sustainable aviation fuel, fleet modernisation and emerging low-emission technologies.

Qantas acknowledged that purchasing carbon credits does not directly eliminate emissions from flights and stated that no carbon project can fully guarantee permanent emissions removal or ensure that reductions would not have occurred without project activity. However, the company said it continues to invest in projects that meet its internal standards for integrity and quality while also delivering broader environmental and community benefits.

The airline has been purchasing carbon credits for more than a decade and uses them to support compliance with Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism and the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Qantas also operates voluntary customer programmes allowing passengers to contribute towards the purchase of carbon credits linked to their travel. The company stated that credits purchased through its Voluntary Carbon Program and Future Planet initiative are not counted towards the airline’s own emissions targets or regulatory obligations.

According to Qantas, all carbon projects supported through the programme are subject to scrutiny from accredited international registries and the Australian Clean Energy Regulator. The company said its carbon procurement process is governed by an Integrity Framework that includes supplier due diligence, ongoing monitoring and a project evaluation process.

The airline’s supported projects include savanna burning initiatives operated by Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (ALFA), rainforest conservation projects in Papua New Guinea and clean cookstove programmes in Ethiopia. Qantas said many of the projects were selected for their ability to support Indigenous communities, regional development and biodiversity outcomes in addition to emissions reductions.

Passengers participating in the Voluntary Carbon Program receive 10 Qantas Points for every A$1 spent on carbon credits through bookings made on the airline’s website or app. Australian residents participating in the programme can also use contributions towards achieving Green Tier status in the Qantas loyalty programme.

The company added that it does not profit from the voluntary programme, with all customer contributions directed towards purchasing carbon credits and covering associated GST costs.