Is it really possible to fly ‘carbon neutral’ with Qantas? A greenwashing complaint to the ACCC hopes to find out

Climate campaigners have asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate whether “fly carbon neutral” and other sustainability claims by Qantas are misleading or deceptive. The greenwashing complaint, filed by the Environmental Defenders Office on behalf of research and advocacy organisation Climate Integrity, urged the competition watchdog to investigate the airline’s marketing materials and the credibility of the company’s transition to net zero. The complaint focused on the national carrier’s “fly carbon neutral” product – which allows customers to check a box to offset their emissions when they buy a ticket – and its use of phrases such as “sustainable aviation fuel” and “the vague and broad term ‘sustainability’”. It follows a landmark greenwashing decision against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in Amsterdam in March that found common aviation industry claims relating to sustainable aviation fuels, offsetting and net zero by 2050 were misleading. The district court of Amsterdam ruled the airline had misled customers with vague environmental claims and painted “an overly rosy picture” of its sustainable aviation fuel.<br/>