Our approach to sustainability
On this page
At Qantas Group, we review our sustainability targets, plans, priorities and disclosures regularly as our programs and initiatives develop.
Climate
While our climate targets and timelines haven't changed, we've made the following key changes to the sustainability information on our website:
- We have clarified that our 2030 target is to reduce net Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from 2019 levels.
- We acknowledge that aviation is a hard-to-abate sector, and carbon credits will have an ongoing role even as alternative direct emission reduction levers (e.g. sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), more fuel efficient fleet and emerging technologies) become more readily available.
- We've recently changed the name of our Fly Carbon Neutral program to Voluntary Carbon Program, and clarified that the carbon credits we purchase (including those that we purchase under our Voluntary Carbon Program) support projects outside the aviation sector. Purchasing carbon credits is not the same as preventing emissions in the first place. We've provided more details about the projects funded by our purchase of carbon credits.
Waste and single-use plastics
While we remain committed to reducing waste and eliminating single-use plastics wherever possible, we have removed our single-use plastics and waste targets from our website. The availability of suitable solutions, requirements such as safety and hygiene, and our limited ability to affect change in certain parts of our supply chain are impacting our ability to meet our current targets, so we're exploring options for new waste related targets that are practical and achievable in the current environment.
Read more about our progress and how we're working towards circularity.
Qantas Group remains committed to reducing our impact on the environment.
The Qantas Group's Sustainability Framework is aligned to our strategic priorities and focuses on three key principles:
- Valuing our planet,
- Enabling our people, and
- Connecting customers and communities.
You can find out more in our Sustainability Report.
Valuing our planet
We recognise that air travel is currently not environmentally sustainable. That’s why we are committed to taking steps – in the air and on the ground – to reduce our impact on the environment.
Climate action
In 2019, we were one of the first airlines in the world to announce our target to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and capping our net emissions at 2019 levels.
We’ve set targets to reduce our net Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 (from 2019 levels).
The steps we’re taking to reduce our emissions include improving efficiency through fleet modernisations, supporting the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Australia and investing through the carbon market in projects that meet our internal requirements for integrity and quality.
Sustainable aviation fuel
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is an umbrella industry term used to describe a collection of lower carbon, non-fossil derived fuels, which utilise different biogenic and non-biogenic feedstocks and processing technologies.
SAF can be made from biogenic sources including used cooking oils, council and agricultural waste, and energy crops. Biogenic SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions typically by up to 80% when compared with traditional jet fuel. Non-biogenic SAF or synthetic fuel is a pathway which utilises carbon dioxide, hydrogen and significant amounts of renewable electricity to synthesise a liquid fuel with favourable sustainability characteristics (emissions can be reduced on a lifecycle basis by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels).
SAF still produces emissions when combusted, however on a lifecycle basis, emission reductions can be achieved compared to fossil jet fuel when the biogenic sources, for example, absorb CO2 when growing. These emission reductions are certified by independent third parties according to global standards.
At present, SAF is required to be blended with fossil jet fuel (up to a 50% limit) in order to be a 'drop in' replacement with existing fuelling infrastructure and aircraft. Whilst global supply is increasing, SAF comprises only 0.2% of our current fuel use and is not yet commercially accessible in Australia. We are taking steps to change this and help support the development of a SAF industry in Australia.
Find out how using SAF contributes to achieving our sustainability goals
Fleet and operational improvements
Focusing on fleet modernisation, along with a focus on how we fly and maintain our aircraft, are some of the steps we’re taking towards meeting our climate targets. We will do this by:
- investing in aerodynamic improvements to our existing fleet aimed at reducing onboard weight or drag
- advocating for broader airspace design and management which requires industry-wide collaboration, and
- continuing to reduce fuel burn, including through smarter flight planning.
Carbon markets
We invest in carbon projects outside the aviation industry by purchasing carbon credits equivalent to a portion of the emissions associated with our flights, which, in many cases, also provide broader community and environmental benefits.
Supporting carbon projects outside the aviation industry, through the purchase of carbon credits, is not the same as preventing emissions from aviation. While we can calculate the estimated emissions for each route we fly, we recognise that no carbon project can provide a complete guarantee of the permanence of the emissions that a project removes from the atmosphere or a complete guarantee that the emissions avoided by a project's activities would not have occurred without the project. This may mean that the emissions associated with our operations may not be 'offset' in their entirety or in perpetuity.
Protecting nature
We're committed to reducing our impact on nature and addressing biodiversity loss.
Nature Action Plan
Our Nature Action plan identifies steps to reduce our nature and biodiversity impacts, including addressing nature and biodiversity loss.
Great Barrier Reef Foundation
Our partnership helps protect Australia's iconic reef ecosystems.
Working towards circularity
We recognise the impact of our waste on the environment and are committed to addressing this through waste reduction and reuse projects, innovation and improved waste management practices.
In FY25, we removed single-use plastic cups on Australian domestic flights and launched new premium and economy amenity kits that use paper packaging to replace or remove single use plastic. These changes contributed to the removal or replacement of over 21 million additional single-use plastic items during the year. We also continued our focus on increasing recycling and recovery and, in locations where the Group directly manages waste services with our service providers, we have increased our waste diversion from landfill to over 40% in FY25, compared to 34% in FY24.
While we remain committed to reducing waste and eliminating single-use plastics wherever possible, we removed our single-use plastics and waste targets in July 2025, because our ability to achieve those targets is being impacted by factors including the availability of suitable solutions, requirements such as safety and hygiene, and our limited ability to affect change in parts of our supply chain. We're currently exploring options for new waste related targets that are practical and achievable in the current environment.
We continue to phase out single-use plastics where we can source suitable alternatives which meet our requirements, and we're working with our employees, suppliers, customers, industry and regulators on key initiatives to reduce waste and increase recovery including domestic inflight recycling.
Get involved
For your next flight
With our Voluntary Carbon Program, you can help support carbon projects outside of the aviation sector and compensate for a portion of the emissions associated with your flight#d-flight.
For Frequent Flyers
Frequent Flyers residing in Australia can be rewarded for making choices that support sustainable practices in the air and on the ground#d-qff.
For business
We've launched Australia's first coalition program to support efforts to reduce the environmental impact of aviation through the use of sustainable aviation fuel.