How Can We Reduce Our Air Transport Emissions?
Wellington
New Zealand’s economy depends on aviation. Whether we are exporting high-value products to the world, or welcoming tourists to our shores, we rely on airlines to serve us.
Read moreHow Can We Reduce Our Air Transport Emissions?
New Zealand’s economy depends on aviation. Whether we are exporting high-value products to the world, or welcoming tourists to our shores, we rely on airlines to serve us.Challenge description
How Can We Reduce Our Air Transport Emissions? - Climathon NZ
New Zealand does not have a high speed rail network, and only has a rail commuter network in Auckland and Wellington, that can reduce the need for domestic aviation. For many rapid routes air travel is the only viable transport option between the two islands. The majority of passenger seats (85%) are operated by two carriers; Air New Zealand and Jetstar.Add paragraph text here.
Our air transport accounts for around 3500 ktonnes of emitted CO2 per year; around 1000 ktonnes for Domestic and 2500 for International travel. Our passenger movements have seen strong growth, a trend predicted to continue into the future that leads to a worrying growth in emissions from this sector.
New Zealand has committed to reducing its GHG emissions. But our economy would suffer if a climate tax meant that tourists couldn’t afford to fly here. International tourism brought $12 Bn into the economy last year. We rely on it.
Challenge vision
New Zealand is recognised for its pro-active stance towards reducing aviation and airport operation emissions. New Zealand’s air navigation service provider (Airways) is globally known for working proactively with airlines to increase flight efficiency and safety. Locally the Ministry of Transport are implementing an action plan to reduce emissions in this sector that you can read here. This Ministry initiative is strongly supported by Wellington Airport with their own reduction plan being put in place.
New Zealand has an important role to play in developing clean aviation technologies, such as hybrid electric aircraft. This research programme is part of our 30-year programme of leading high-temperature superconducting work. The New Zealand team are working on key aspects of the high-torque, high-speed machines needed to make electric aviation a reality. Their international partners include Lockheed, Boeing, and NASA. There are opportunities for NZ companies to produce specialised, high-value components for the hybrid electric supply chain, earn export revenue, and contribute to solving this pressing global problem. NZ can benefit economically from addressing a major global greenhouse gas challenge.