Air NZ wanted Climate Commission to go faster, dairy and meat groups said slow down

Doctors, scientists, city councils and even airlines told the Climate Change Commission to up its ambition – while farmers and miners wanted the body to ease off. The commission’s draft advice received split feedback after it was released in February, the newly-released submissions show. Submitters providing technical feedback – for example, a reminder from Air NZ and Sounds Air not to forget about electric planes – had more success than generalised comments from submitters aiming to influence the final report, which was publicly released in June. The national airline was one of many submitters who believed the country could introduce more radical emissions cuts. Air NZ expects to be using some sustainable aviation fuel – which produces up to 85% fewer emissions than fossil fuels – by 2025. The draft underestimated the potential growth of this industry, it said, and had also forgotten to include “next generation” aircraft, such as hybrid, electric and hydrogen planes. Sounds Air said it planned to introduce electric planes by 2026. On these points, the commission listened, and included electric aircraft into its models from 2030.<br/>