Carbon offsets
Learn how we continue to invest in offset projects that not only reduce emissions, but also provide benefits to the broader community.
The Qantas Group has invested in carbon offset projects since 2007. Our carbon offset portfolio reflects the strategic priorities of the Qantas Group, with our projects supporting positive environmental, social and economic outcomes in Australia and internationally.
Our program reflects our commitment to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and flagship Australian projects such as our long-standing partnership with the North Kimberley Fire Abatement Project (NKFAP). This program employs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rangers in Northern Australia, who use traditional practices to promote regeneration of native vegetation.
The quality and integrity of carbon offsets is an important focus for Qantas, particularly in the context of the Australian Government’s recently announced review of the integrity of the Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) scheme by an independent panel. Ensuring that the Group’s carbon offset portfolio is of a higher quality and has integrity is a key investment consideration. The carbon offsets sourced by the Group are subject to several layers of scrutiny. As a baseline, all projects are accredited from verified registries. Our ACCUs are certified by Climate Active through the Clean Energy Regulator, while international projects are with prominent registries through Verified Carbon Standard (Verra) or Gold Standard. Our providers subject all projects to additional layers of due diligence such as continual validation and other monitoring processes throughout the life of each project. The Group intends to investigate methods in which it can further strengthen the integrity and transparency of our carbon offset portfolio.
A transparent and credible Australian carbon market is critical to ensuring its ongoing effectiveness and continued support from participants, purchasers and the broader community. The Australian Government’s review into the operation and integrity of these markets will be observed closely by the Qantas Group, particularly: findings on the integrity of key methods measuring the extent to which carbon projects are supporting positive environmental, social and economic outcomes for agriculture, biodiversity and the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The development of our carbon offsetting strategy has been a critical addition to support the Group’s commitment of net zero emissions by 2050.
Our ‘tick-the-box’ to Fly Carbon Neutral offsetting program is one of the largest of any airline. As a hard-to-abate sector, carbon offsetting will remain a key lever in aviation’s global transition to a low carbon economy and in helping the Qantas Group meet our commitments of capping emissions at 2019 levels and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
In 2019, we enabled Qantas Frequent Flyer members and Qantas Business Rewards customers to earn 10 Qantas Points for every A$1 spent on offsetting. Qantas matches dollar-for-dollar every contribution a customer makes to offset their emissions on a passenger flight, effectively doubling the size of the program.
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 operational or unavoidable emissions to reduce their environmental impact. We have built a network of sustainability leaders inspiring new ideas through collaborative innovation and action.
Through our Future Planet program we have offset emissions for more than 40 businesses since inception, including Australia Post, Allens, DHL, Holcium, NextDC and T2.
If you're a business interested in partnering with us and working together to build on sustainability between our brands, email us.
In September 2019, Australia Post implemented carbon neutral delivery of every parcel sent through Post Offices and the MyPost system across Australia.
This significant announcement was made possible through Australia Post’s partnership with the Qantas Future Planet program, which procures carbon offsets from reputable Australian and overseas projects, to compensate for corporate emissions. The purchase of carbon offset credits now matches the environmental impact of each parcel transferred and delivered through these Australia Post channels.
Further information can be found in our 2022 Sustainability reportOpens external site in a new window.