Sustainability at Qantas

We're committed to minimising the impact we have on the environment at every step – in the air and on the ground.

Why sustainability is important to us

As we carry Australians to their destinations, we’re conscious of working to minimise the impact we have on the environment.

As we emerge from the pandemic as a more resilient business, we're also focused on how to ensure we're truly sustainable. Decarbonisation and driving sustainability are at the core of our Group strategy and vital for our people, customers and shareholders. While the COVID-19 crisis has compelled Qantas to change the way we are doing things, we’re still committed to continuing to lead the way on sustainable aviation through emissions and waste reduction initiatives.

Our commitments

At Qantas, we know travel is an essential part of life. As we recover, our focus is on driving sustainability to protect the future of travel. So, we’re committed to reducing the impact of aviation on the environment and driving change within the industry.

Key among these commitments as part of our Climate Action Plan are:

Capping our net emissions at 2019 levels and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Committing to reducing net emissions by 25 per cent, against a 2019 baseline, by 2030.
Committing $50 million over the next 10 years towards the development of a viable sustainable aviation fuel industry in Australia.
Increasing the percentage of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in our fuel mix to 10 per cent by 2030.
Committing to an average of 1.5 per cent per year fuel efficiency improvements to 2030.
Committing to zero single-use plastics by 2027.
Committing to zero general waste to landfill by 2030.

Some of our initiatives

Fly carbon neutral with Qantas

Fly carbon neutral

With our Fly Carbon Neutral program, we’ve done the hard work for you.

We’ve calculated the emissions for each route we fly, so when you book on qantas.com or the Qantas App, you can easily ‘tick-the-box’ when making your booking to offset your share and help support projects that affect real change.

The Group continues to focus on Australian projects as part of our offset portfolio, particularly those that support positive and social outcomes for Indigenous and regional communities. All carbon offset projects sourced by the Group are subject to several layers of scrutiny and strict standards from global accredited registries as well as the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator.

Fly carbon neutral with Qantas

Read about our zero waste flight

Reducing waste

The Group is reviewing our waste strategy and ensuring that sustainability remains central to the Group’s recovery. In the meantime, we continue to find opportunities to improve, and have removed 80 million single use plastic items from our service.

In September 2021 we started phasing out plastic cutlery in addition to having already removed plastic drinking straws, stirrers and non-compostable hot cups.

In May 2019, Qantas operated the first-ever commercial zero waste to landfill flight. By substituting our inflight products with sustainable alternatives, removing 1,000 single use plastic products and disposing of waste via compost, reuse or recycling pathways, just 600g of waste was generated from the flight.

Plus, in March 2022 we announced a target of Zero single-use plastics by 2027 and zero general waste (excluding quarantine waste) to landfill by 2030.

Read about our zero waste flight

Learn more about Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

We're aiming for net zero emissions by 2050, and the development and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is central to achieving that, with significant emissions reductions from standard jet fuel. With long-haul routes accounting for the majority of the Group’s emissions profile, SAF is currently the only viable technology/decarbonisation option available across all of our operations.

In 2019, Qantas committed to investing $50 million in viable domestic SAF opportunities, building on world-first commercial biofuel flights in 2012 and 2018 including a flight across the Pacific powered by biofuel derived from mustard seeds.

In 2021, Qantas Group and bp announced a strategic partnership to further advance our net zero ambitions.

Plus, in 2021 we became the first Australian airline to purchase SAF on an ongoing basis for regular scheduled services. Blended SAF will represent up to 15 per cent of our annual fuel use out of London. Additionally, in March 2022 we also agreed to purchase SAF for our operations from California (Los Angeles/San Francisco) from 2025.

Learn more about Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Operational and fleet efficiency

We have committed to improve our fuel efficiency by an average of 1.5 per cent per year to 2030. This will be achieved through fleet modernisation and other operational efficiencies in the air and on the ground such as through the use of more efficient flight planning systems.

Qantas Future Planet

Since 2014, we've been partnering with other leading businesses to offset emissions through our B2B Qantas Future Planet program.

Our Future Planet program provides a carbon offsetting solution for corporate businesses wanting to offset their corporate or operational emissions to reduce their environmental impact. We have built a network of sustainability leaders inspiring new ideas through collaborative innovation and action.

Read more about our B2B Future Planet program

Find out more about Green tier

Achieve Green tier status

Frequent Flyers residing in Australia will now be rewarded for making sustainable choices in the air and on the ground. Achieve Green tier status and unlock exclusive rewards, including your choice of 10,000 Qantas Points, 50 Status Credits or for 3 tonnes of carbon to be offset on your behalf.

Find out more about Green tier

Find out more

Our planet

We are commitment to minimising the impact we have on the environment at every step – in the air and on the ground. Visit Our Planet.

Carbon offsetting with Qantas Freight

From July 2021 Qantas Freight retail customers have been able to choose to offset their carbon emissions on all domestic freight bookings. Offset your freight.Opens external site

Frequently asked questions

Find out more about carbon offsetting with Qantas, and how your purchase can directly support accredited climate offset programs. Get all your questions answered.

Important information

Disclaimer: *You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn and use Qantas Points. Membership and points are subject to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program terms and conditions. To be eligible for Green tier status, Qantas Frequent Flyer members must complete one activity in five out of six Green tier categories in a Membership Year. Members must be residing in Australia with an Australian residential address in their profile. Members must be logged in to their Qantas Frequent Flyer account when completing the relevant activity (for example, booking an eco-accredited hotel) and residing in Australia with an Australian residential address in their profile.