2024 – A Year of Breaking New Ground

The commissioning of the Three-Runway System (3RS) in November 2024 marked a pivotal milestone to boost Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)’s capacity and to further solidify its role as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs. Throughout the development of the 3RS, we have actively managed and minimised environmental impacts. One notable achievement is the establishment of the North Lantau Marine Park, now Hong Kong's largest marine park. This milestone reinforces our commitment to sustainability and conservation of important species including the Chinese White Dolphins, as well as local fisheries resources.

This year's achievements extend beyond that. I am pleased to highlight the remarkable progress we have made together this year:

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) study – Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has completed a comprehensive study this year on accelerating the uplift of SAF at HKIA, outlining various options for consideration by the HKSAR Government. AAHK welcomes the 2024 Policy Address on promoting SAF consumption through the setting of a usage target.
   
• Onsite solar implementation – We have developed a solar implementation roadmap informed by an airport-wide solar study which has identified solar opportunities at 11 AAHK buildings. The detailed design and planning for these sites has commenced.
   
• HKIA Greenovation Fund – Over HK$6 million was granted by the Fund to eight projects since the Fund was launched in 2022 to support business partners to pilot new decarbonisation technologies.
   
• HKIA Carbon Capacity Building Programme (CCBP) – AAHK continued its collaboration with Business Environment Council by organising the final event of the CCBP this year, highlighting key updates from international and regional climate agendas to mobilise the airport community towards the transition to a low-carbon economy.
   
• Enhancement of the recycling process for cabin waste – In collaboration with Cathay Pacific, we piloted a new recycling process to increase recycling of in-flight plastic bottles and aluminium cans. The plastic bottles will be processed and transformed into materials for new water bottles.
   
• The 3RS recognised in The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) eBook for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) alignment – The 3RS has been highlighted in HKIE’s first-ever UNSDGs eBook, “Engineered for Sustainability: Hong Kong's Contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”, showcasing its alignment with the UNSDGs and recognising it as a significant engineering achievement launched in November.
   
• Awards & recognitions – We are delighted to share our recent achievements which showcase AAHK's sustainability leadership:
  • Airport Honour Awards at the International Airport Summit 2024 – Sustainable Airport Award
  • HKQAA Hong Kong Green and Sustainable Finance Awards 2024 – Outstanding Award for Climate Disclosure Contribution
    • Leadership Award for Climate Disclosure Contribution: Mr Ricky Leung, Executive Director, Engineering & Technology
    • Strategist Award for Climate Disclosure Contribution: Mr Peter Lee, General Manager, Sustainability
  • Sing Tao News Corporation and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Outstanding ESG Enterprises Recognition Scheme 2024
    • Prestigious ESG Accomplishment of the Year
    • Outstanding ESG Environmental Performance Awards
    • Outstanding ESG Social Performance Awards
    • Outstanding ESG Corporate Governance Performance Awards
    • ESG Commendation Certification
  • Standard Chartered Corporate Achievement Awards 2024 – Leadership Award from the "Sustainable Corporate (Environmental)" and "Marathon Resilience Award" categories.

As we approach 2025, we look forward to strengthening our collaboration with our business partners and enhancing our commitment to sustainability on key focus areas. Wishing you all a very festive holiday season.


Peter Lee 
General Manager, Sustainability 
Airport Authority Hong Kong  

A New Marine Park for Western Hong Kong Waters

Q&A with Martin Putnam, Senior Manager, Biodiversity
 
Q: What are the main objectives of establishing the new North Lantau Marine Park (NLMP) in Hong Kong? 

A: I first want to recognise what an incredibly significant milestone the designation of NLMP is for the expansion of the HKIA into a 3RS Project. The commitment to establish a marine park was a key mitigation commitment in gaining an Environmental Permit for the Project. The main objectives of the NLMP are to enhance the conservation potential of the Chinese White Dolphins (CWDs) and other marine life and to promote conservation, education, scientific studies, and recreation. The approximately 2,400 hectares of new marine park is now part of a large, interconnected network of marine protected areas in North Lantau waters, including the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and the Brothers Marine Park, which collectively provide a beneficial and synergistic conservation effect.

Q: What benefits does the establishment of the NLMP provide for local marine life and fisheries resources?

A: The western waters of Hong Kong are important habitats and feeding grounds for CWDs and are spawning grounds for many valuable fish species. Marine parks provide a protected habitat for CWDs and other important marine species by restricting vessel speeds to 10 knots or less, restricting certain recreational activities and prohibiting substantial further development. The NLMP's connection with adjacent marine protected areas and with the Pearl River Estuary Chinese White Dolphin National Nature Reserve creates a holistic conservation zone, providing important connections among different core CWD habitats, thereby encouraging a rebound in the use of North Lantau waters by CWDs.

Q: Were there any particular challenges or obstacles that your team encountered during the planning process? How did you overcome them?

A: During the planning stage of the NLMP many challenges were faced, including the need for a very thorough consultation with important stakeholders and advisory committees and a requirement to complete a detailed Marine Park Study to identify and address key issues and potential obstacles. The final Marine Park Proposal addressed key issues, leading to agreement on the marine park boundary and an effective NLMP management plan. AAHK then provided key support to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department during the statutory designation process, smoothing the way for NLMP designation on 1 November 2024.

Q: Are there any other initiatives in place to enhance the ecology and fisheries resources?

A: In addition to supporting the establishment of the NLMP, AAHK committed to and has initiated a range of initiatives beyond statutory requirements intended to further enhance marine ecology and fisheries resources near HKIA and in North Lantau waters. A Marine Ecology and Fisheries Enhancement Strategy (MEFES) was developed in 2016, capturing a range of voluntary initiatives including artificial reef and shellfish reef enhancement initiatives, as well as periodic restocking of local waters with fish fingerlings and shrimp. A Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund and a Fisheries Enhancement Fund were also established at that time, with annual application cycles looking to support projects with marine conservation or fisheries enhancement value. The overarching goal of the MEFES is to support the positive benefits of the NLMP on marine ecology and fisheries resources and to contribute to a long-term positive impact on the local marine environment in west Hong Kong waters.

Key Takeaways from COP29

The 29^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 November to 22 November this year. This significant annual global climate summit brings together representatives from nearly 200 countries to seek solutions for reducing the threat of global warming. COP29 has been labeled the "Finance COP", as its focus was on increasing funding to support lower-income countries in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.¹ Here are some key highlights from COP29:

• New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) – A key objective of COP29 was to establish a NCQG for climate finance, aiming to replace the existing $100 billion goal that is due to expire in 2025. After extensive discussions at COP29, developed countries committed to raising their funding to $300 billion per year by 2035 for developing nations. However, this agreement has faced criticism for falling short of the $1.3 trillion needed, with many describing it as "too little, too late."²
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – NDCs are essential for achieving the Paris Agreement's long-term goals, updated every five years. COP28's global stocktaking revealed current actions are inadequate to meet the 1.5°C target, necessitating alignment by February 2025. At COP29, one of the achievements was the formation of a coalition of nations representing 30% of global GDP and 15% of greenhouse gas emissions, which committed to enhancing their NDCs to align with the 1.5°C target.³
• Loss and Damage Fund – At COP29, a decision has been reached to fully operationalise the long-awaited Loss and Damage Fund, which aims to assist countries vulnerable to climate change. Several crucial agreements regarding the Loss and Damage Fund were signed, including the "Trustee Agreement" and the "Secretariat Hosting Agreement" between the Fund's Board and the World Bank, enabling project financing to start as early as 2025.⁴
• Global carbon market mechanism under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – Article 6 of the Paris Agreement facilitates international collaboration to reduce carbon emissions by allowing countries and companies to trade carbon offsets. At COP29, delegates made a landmark decision by officially adopting new operational standards for this mechanism, breaking years of deadlock and establishing a framework for a global carbon market.⁵

COP29 was a critical moment in the global climate transition. For businesses, Hong Kong companies can harness their access to global capital markets by actively engaging their supply chains in sustainability initiatives, thereby amplifying their global impact and commitment to climate action.
 

1. COP29: Why it matters and 4 key areas for action | World Economic Forum
2. Huge COP29 climate deal too little too late, poorer nations say
3. COP29: Joint Press Release on 1.5°C-Aligned Ambition in NDCs Toward Net Zero - European Commission
4. COP29 finalizes approval for complete functioning of Loss and Damage Fund
5. COP29 adopts establishment of carbon market under Paris Agreement Article 6 | World News - Business Standard