Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has announced the launch of a renewable diesel pilot project at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) as part of its efforts to develop HKIA into the world's greenest airport.

HKIA is the first airport in Asia to use renewable diesel on ground services equipment. Compared to petroleum diesel, renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 87%.

In the statement, Airport Authority Hong Kong said the pilot project was launched in collaboration with Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) and Shell Hong Kong Limited.

HACTL is also the first cargo terminal in Asia to use renewable diesel on ground services equipment.

The renewable diesel to be piloted, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), is a drop-in fuel fully compatible with diesel engines of equipment such as tractors, rubber removal machines, apron sweepers and mobile generators.

"The pilot project marks a significant milestone on our pathway to developing into the world’s greenest airport, achieving our net-zero carbon commitment by 2050 and our midpoint target of 50% reduction in 2035. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our aviation business partners, we are Asia's first airport to break new ground on the use of renewable diesel, and we look forward to broadening the usage at the airport in the future," said Vivian Cheung, chief operating officer of AAHK.

Amy Lam, HACTL's chief sustainability officer, said, "HACTL is proud to be one of the businesses supporting this important initiative from AAHK. Not all diesel-powered ground service equipment can currently be replaced with electric versions, so the use of renewable diesel could provide an acceptable interim measure that will reduce emissions until better alternatives are developed. We are solidly behind this trial and will do everything possible to ensure its success."

Anne Yu, managing director of Shell Hong Kong Limited, said, "Shell integrates sustainability into its business and aims to become a net-zero energy business by 2050," and noted that Shell Hong Kong is committed to introducing low-carbon energy solutions to Hong Kong to support Hong Kong's green transition. 

HACTL runs the pilot project with sponsorship by the HKIA Greenovation Fund.

Established by AAHK in 2022, the Fund aims to provide financial support to business partners who have joined AAHK’s Net Zero Carbon pledge in 2021 to explore and pilot new carbon reduction technologies to accelerate the airport's decarbonisation process.