As part of our World’s Greenest Airport Pledge, we are working with our business partners to reduce HKIA’s environmental footprint and create an airport that inspires others to do the same.
From being the first airport operator to set a Net Zero Carbon Target that encompasses business partners’ activities, to driving industry-wide collaboration for accelerated carbon reduction, we are proud of our collective achievements.
But we recognise striving to be the World’s Greenest Airport will be a long journey. Our HKIA Net Zero Carbon Pledge represents our ongoing commitment to decarbonise the aviation industry, while addressing environmental impacts associated with HKIA wherever they may occur in our value chain.
HKIA is the first airport to bring a large and diverse group of aviation-related business partners into the pledge. Through close collaboration with our stakeholders, including the 29 key aviation-related business partners who have joined the pledge, we believe we can achieve greater, more impactful carbon reduction outcomes. These partners represent various sectors vital to HKIA, including airlines (excluding aircraft emissions), aircraft maintenance, aviation fuel, cargo handling, catering, ground services equipment maintenance, government departments, ramp handling, vehicle fuel, and more.
Since conducting its first carbon audit in 2008, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has been diligently working towards reducing its carbon footprint and leading the way in sustainable airport operations. Over the years, AAHK has implemented various initiatives and achieved significant milestones in carbon reduction. From launching carbon pledges and support programs to receiving prestigious awards, AAHK has consistently demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship. The key milestones and initiatives undertaken by AAHK are highlighted in the decarbonisation journey.
Launched the HKIA Carbon Management System (CMS) to replace the previous Carbon Audit System (CAS). The new CMS is a cloud-based system to track the carbon performance of AAHK and participating business partners against the target trajectory, using a comprehensive dashboard.
Achieved Level 4 ‘Transformation’ in the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation – recognising HKIA’s long term target and achievements in carbon management, as well as our efforts to engage stakeholders, including airport business partners and other third parties.
Received the Platinum award in the ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2022 – an affirmation of our carbon management performance.
Launched the HKIA Carbon Capacity Building Programme – delivering five events annually.
Launched a bespoke ‘Target Trajectory Tool’ for business partners to plan their carbon reduction initiatives to meet the mid-point target.
Launched HKIA’s Net Zero Carbon Pledge by 2050 with a 2035 mid-term target; 29 aviation-related Business Partners joined the Pledge.
Revamped the HKIA Business Partners Carbon Support Programme.
Commenced HKIA Long-term Carbon Target Study to determine an appropriate target for HKIA.
Awarded Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ for the third time in the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme.
Launched HKIA’s second carbon pledge – 10% carbon reduction target by 2020. Awarded Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ for the second time in the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme.
Awarded the Level 3 ‘Optimisation’ in the ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme – the first airport in Asia Pacific to achieve this institutionally endorsed, global carbon management certification for airports
AAHK launched a Carbon Audit System (CAS) – to facilitate carbon data collection.
Launched HKIA’s first carbon pledge – 25% carbon reduction target by 2015. AAHK launched the airport-wide Carbon Reduction Programme to support business partners in achieving this target.
AAHK conducted the first airport-wide carbon audit for business partners. This engagement enhanced collaboration across the airport community with a common goal to reduce carbon emissions.
AAHK conducted its first carbon audit for all AAHK-owned facilities at the airport.
HKIA’s overall carbon footprint reflects the diversity of activities that occur in and around an international aviation hub. It includes emissions from airport operations under AAHK’s control, as well as emissions from sources outside our direct control, including purchased electricity, emissions from our business partners and other third parties on the ground, as well as aircraft-related emissions.
HKIA’s overall carbon footprint, including aircraft-related and ground emissions in 2024, was around 19,000,000 tCO2e.
Scope 1 (Direct)
Emissions of AAHK including those from mobile and stationary sources, such as vehicles, equipment, emergency generators and fugitive emissions from refrigerants used for building cooling systems
Scope 2 (Indirect)
Emissions from electricity bought or consumed by AAHK
Scope 3 (Indirect)
Ground emissions from our business partners’ operations that AAHK can influence
Scope 3 (Indirect)
Ground emissions from other third parties over which AAHK has limited influence
Scope 3 (Indirect)
Emissions arising from aircraft operations
HKIA 2050 Net Zero Carbon Pledge
AAHK’s mobile, stationary and fugitive emissions:
AAHK’s electricity:
AAHK’s business partners’ operations:
tCO2e
Scope 3
Other business partners:
4%
Surface access:
23%
Tenant’s energy:
3%
Waste disposal:
2%
Other emissions:
<1%
Scope 3 emissions make up a substantial portion of our total carbon footprint:
To address this, it is essential to work closely with business partners and third parties, driving impactful change that accelerates carbon reduction across HKIA.
of HKIA’s ground emissions are contributed by our business partners.
With HKIA achieving ACI-ACA Level 4, we have expanded our reporting to include Scope 3 emissions from several additional sources.
These include:
HKIA 2050 Net Zero Carbon Pledge Boundary
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s2
s3
s3
s3
ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation Reporting Boundary
To learn more about our carbon reduction initiatives, click here.
AAHK has developed a detailed carbon model to establish an emission reduction trajectory for HKIA, targeting a 55% reduction in absolute emissions by 2035 and achieving net zero by 2050.
The model is based on a comprehensive methodology that has been informed by consultation with key external stakeholders (business partners, utility providers, energy solution providers), key internal stakeholders (relevant technical and operations departments) and takes into consideration the following dynamic factors which affect our carbon footprint and emission reduction rate:
Projected growth of HKIA and the expected rate of recovery after the pandemic to ensure that efforts to reduce carbon align with HKIA’s expansion plans
AAHK and pledged business partners’ climate transition plans to incorporate various planned and existing energy-saving initiatives, taking into account collective efforts to reduce carbon emissions
Assumptions on future energy-saving technologies to leverage cutting-edge solutions to drive carbon emissions reduction in the long term, e.g., hydrogen and low carbon fuel applications
Grid decarbonisation efforts by CLP to account for the decreasing emissions associated with electricity consumption up to 2035
The carbon model lays the foundation for the HKIA 2035 Decarbonisation Roadmap to 2035.
The HKIA Decarbonisation Roadmap to 2035 outlines clear actions and initiatives to reduce emissions while fostering collaboration across the airport community. This roadmap supports our commitment to achieving the midpoint target of the HKIA 2050 Net Zero Carbon Pledge: a 55% reduction in absolute emissions by 2035 from a 2018 baseline.
A renewable diesel pilot project was launched in April 2024.
All airside private cars have been replaced by EVs and all new airside private cars must be EVs from 1 January 2024.
A feasibility study on low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants was conducted in 2023/24.
AAHK will explore the possibility of piloting hydrogen-powered vehicles or GSE, subject to market availability.
An airport-wide study and solar implementation roadmap were developed in 2023/24.
The grid factor from CLP remained at 0.39 kg CO2/kWh in 2023/24.
AAHK and business partners trial RD in GSE and mobile/emergency generators
AAHK transitions to RD
Mandate use of RD airport-wide by 2028
AAHK committed to increasing the number of electric vehicles (EVs) to >3,000 and providing >1,320 charging points to support operations by 2030
AAHK transitions to low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in phases to align with statutory requirements; and will mandate use of low/zero GWP refrigerants airport-wide by 2035
AAHK and business partners hold regular Technology Working Group meetings to accelerate piloting and uptake of new energy-efficient technologies and carbon reduction initiatives at HKIA
Hydrogen and trigeneration as potential resources
AAHK continuously upgrades its equipment by incorporating more energy-efficient technologies
AAHK designs and installs solar panels in phases
Encourages uptake of solar energy amongst the airport community
CLP is committed to decarbonising the grid
Our dedicated cloud-based platform evaluates carbon emissions for both AAHK and our business partners. Complimentary for pledged business partners, the system keeps track of performance against forecasted carbon trajectories and supports the development and implementation of decarbonisation strategies, guiding the airport community towards achieving the commitments of HKIA’s 2050 Net Zero Carbon Pledge.