Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) recently gave an update on its sustainability progress over the past year, citing initiatives and programs aimed to bring down its carbon emissions.

In its second Sustainability Report, Hactl acknowledged the importance of sustainability in its operations as it noted the establishment of its new "Sustainability Strategy Framework," which will guide Hactl's future sustainability policies. 

"Amid our constant drive to be the best in our business, we have never lost sight of the vital need to achieve our goals sustainably ... The clock is ticking. That's why we are proud to integrate sustainability into every decision we take and everything we do," Wilson Kwong, chief executive of Hactl, said.

"Notwithstanding the challenges of the recent pandemic and the need for unprecedented resilience and agility in business, 2022 saw us take the next steps along our sustainability journey and reaffirm our holistic commitment to long-term value creation," he added, noting that this began with the establishment of the Sustainability Strategy Framework.

The Hactl chief executive noted that the Framework is based on four pillars: Governance, Planet, People and Partners — which in turn encompass eight focus areas setting sustainability targets throughout all aspects of Hactl's business.

2022 sustainability progress

For 2022, the largest independent air cargo handler in Hong Kong said it invested HK$10.4 million in sustainable projects.

Hactl — the only neutral air cargo terminal operator in Hong Kong — noted that 99% of plastics and 96% of paper & cardboard are already recycled.

Since 2018, Hactl has also reduced 11% of electricity consumption, 14% of chiller power consumption, and 10% of lighting power consumption.

It also noted a 30% reduction in absolute carbon emissions since 2018.

"As a responsible business, Hactl has a duty to effect positive change as an organisation and to scale our operations in a sustainable manner. Hactl's strengthened resolve is manifested through its pledge to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions - in line with our public commitment to the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi)," Kwong said.

He added that Hactl's long-standing Green Terminal programme has also been "highly-effective" in broadening Hactl's decarbonisation and resource optimisation measures.

"We will continue to aspire to business excellence, but we will also continue to grow our business with sustainability at the core of our strategy. We invite you to join Hactl on our sustainability journey, and we look forward to working with you towards a greener Hong Kong and a more sustainable global air cargo industry," the Hactl chief executive added.

Hactl is the largest independent air cargo handler in Hong Kong – the world's best-connected air cargo hub. It serves over 100 airlines, of which over 40 are freighter operators and over 1,000 freight forwarders and logistics service providers. 

Hactl has 3.5 million tonnes of cargo handling capacity and processes 1 million data transactions every day.