Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) and nearly 40 airport business partners today pledged to reduce Hong Kong International Airport's (HKIA) carbon emissions by 25% per workload unit by 2015. This marks not only the first airport-wide carbon intensity reduction pledge among airports in the world, but also the first voluntary, sector-wide carbon intensity reduction pledge in Hong Kong.
Airlines, cargo operators, aviation services providers, franchisees, contractors, government departments and the AA have developed more than 300 carbon-reduction initiatives to fulfill the pledge. The reduction will be measured against the baseline emission levels determined in the maiden airport-wide carbon audit for 2008, which covered all major buildings, facilities and vehicle fleets on the airport island. One workload unit is equal to one passenger or 100kg of cargo.
The ceremony was hosted by the Chairman of the AA, Dr the Hon Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, and officiated by Eva Cheng, Secretary for Transport and Housing, and Edward Yau, Secretary for the Environment. The pledge was welcomed by representatives for several green groups who were in attendance, including Dr Man Chi-sum, Chief Executive Officer of Green Power and Edwin Lau, Director of Friends of the Earth (HK).
Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung said, "We are delighted to have the support of our major airport business partners in making this pledge as we continue to build toward a green airport for Hong Kong. As a responsible corporate citizen we have implemented a number of environmental programmes over the years, and today's pledge further demonstrates our commitment to operating and developing the airport in an environmentally responsible manner."
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