Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition | Business Environment Council

Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (HKSAFC)

Launched by BEC and co-initiated with Cathay Pacific Airways, the HKSAFC will engage stakeholders in developing Hong Kong’s position as a regional and global hub for SAF; deliver forefront research on SAF feasibility and strategies in Hong Kong; scale SAF supply chain and adoption in Hong Kong with competitive costs; and promote the introduction of SAF industry-related support policies to the HKSAR Government. The HKSAFC works collectively with all relevant stakeholders across the value chain, including practitioners including fuel suppliers, airlines and decarbonisation professionals.

The changing world

The aviation sector accounts for between 2%-3% of global emissions, which could grow by 20% by 2030 from current levels if no large-scale decarbonisation action is taken. With more countries and jurisdictions moving towards net-zero transition, more requirements on sectoral decarbonisation will be set, and the aviation sector is no exception. The HKSAR government is committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 and hence requires significant emissions reduction across all sectors. The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) could offer a significant opportunity to decarbonise the aviation industry.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The use of SAF will have the largest contribution to the short-term decarbonisation of air travel. It can reduce up to 80% of lifecycle carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel-based jet fuel and is made from sustainable materials such as biomass.

Compared to other low-carbon emerging technologies, SAF is by far the most likely near-term solution that is feasible for scaling up on a commercial level. A growing number of airports and airlines across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. are committing to adopting and increasing the uptake of SAF to 10% fuel use by 2030. Therefore, to maintain and strengthen Hong Kong’s leading role as an international aviation hub amid a global green transition Hong Kong needs to accelerate its deployment of SAF. The HKSAR Government recognised this in the Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address and intends to develop SAF in coming years as a means to promote new energy transport.

Our Progress

HKSAFC was officially launched with a launch ceremony held in Jan 2024. More details can be referred to the press release (link).

In the three-year period, HKSAFC will work with their partners to identify topics of interest, so to inform sub-working groups forming to foster the development of SAF.

Ambition Statement

An ambition statement (link) was issued to demonstrate our commitment to accelerate the deployment of credible SAF in Hong Kong. Through mainstreaming SAF in the hard-to-abate aviation sector, we target to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a leading sustainable aviation hub and sustainable finance centre.

Launched by

Co-initiated by