Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (HKSAFC)
BEC launched the HKSAFC programme to 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. Via the HKSAFC programme, BEC 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 HKSAFC programme, BEC 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.
Policy Whitepaper
BEC has published the Policy Whitepaper on SAF Strategy for Hong Kong (Report: link). To effectively drive the local adoption of SAF, this whitepaper recommends that the Government take strategic actions in terms of three pillars: setting up a Government-led multi-stakeholder working group; providing Government subsidies and implementing a levy for enhancing SAF demands; and developing local SAF blending capacity. Each pillar comes with an implementation plan with timelines categorised as prompt action, near-term action, and continuous review. The recommendations are set to align the socio-economic interest of both policymakers and the industry, thereby maintaining Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub amid regional competitions.
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Launched by |
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Business Environment Council |
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List of Coalition Partners (in alphabetical order) |
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AFSC Operations Limited |
AIRBUS Singapore |
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Airport Authority Hong Kong |
Atlas Air |
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Board of Airline Representatives Hong Kong |
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited |
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Chevron Hong Kong Limited |
China Aviation Oil (Hong Kong) Company Limited |
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ECO Aviation Fuel Services Limited |
EcoCeres Limited |
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PetroChina International (Hong Kong) Corporation Limited |
PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited |
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Shell Aviation |
Sinopec (Hong Kong) Aviation Co., Ltd |
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Standard Chartered Bank (HK) Ltd |
Swire Pacific Limited |
If you have any enquiries or want to know more about HKSAFC, please contact:
Ms Katie Chan | Senior Officer – Policy & Research | E katiechan@bec.org.hk
Mr Clement Cheung | Assistant Manager – Policy & Research | E clementcheung@bec.org.hk