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Air New Zealand has made a bold commitment to invest in nature-based carbon removals within its own country, underscoring how corporates can support climate action and biodiversity hand in hand. The airline pledged to purchase 8,000 tonnes of internationally verified, New Zealand‑based carbon removal credits by 2030 through a partnership with the platform My Native Forest.
Rather than offsetting emissions by buying credits from overseas, this approach channels capital directly into native forest restoration across Aotearoa. The plan will unfold in phases: 500 tonnes in 2028, 2,500 in 2029, and 5,000 in 2030. Each credit corresponds to one tonne of CO₂ removed and will be issued via a global registry under recognized verification standards.
Air New Zealand’s sustainability lead, Kiri Hannifin, emphasized that although aviation is among the harder sectors to decarbonize, securing credible carbon removals now is critical. Native forest planting is time‑intensive, so locking in future supply helps the airline get ahead of growing demand for high‑integrity credits. She noted co‑benefits for biodiversity, pest control, and ecosystem health in local ecosystems.
My Native Forest co‑founder Mitchell McLaughlin added that this initiative demonstrates how carbon finance can mobilize large-scale ecological restoration while providing economic value to landowners. The deal targets multiple regions, including Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, Tairāwhiti Gisborne, Waikato, Auckland, and Northland, to revive native forests, protect waterways, and support rural economies. The ripple effects extend to nurseries, contractors, pest management, and community employment.
Importantly, the move also strengthens New Zealand’s role in the global voluntary carbon market. Domestic demand for such removals has struggled with credibility and verification challenges. By adopting a model combining local ecological oversight, digital monitoring, and international registry issuance, My Native Forest aims to set a higher bar. The partnership may also help reduce reliance on overseas offsets for airlines and other firms.
Air New Zealand is negotiating a second domestic supplier deal to be finalized by year’s end. Together, these agreements may chart a path for other corporates, especially in hard-to-abate sectors, to support robust, high-integrity nature-based climate solutions at home.
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