Aviation is one of the hard-to-abate sectors because of the use of carbon intensive jet fuel without alternatives. With the latest technological advancement, lower-carbon Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is considered the most feasible solution in near- to medium-term. However, Maximising the decarbonisation potential of SAF requires collaboration between sectors in the supply chain, and the policy incentives from the Government to make the business environment favourable to the uptake of SAF. Aside from SAF, industry stakeholders are also exploring other technological and systemic innovations to decarbonise aviation. This session will discuss such innovations and how to strengthen SAF development in Hong Kong.
Learnings
Post-event Actions
Moderator
Merlin Lao
Head – Policy & Research
Head – Policy & Research
Mr. Merlin Lao is Head of Policy & Research at BEC. He leads the team to share develop clear policy positions on pressing climate and environmental topics in Hong Kong, through undertaking research on latest domestic and international trends, engaging with the Hong Kong SAR Government and connecting insights of the local business sector.
My Sustainability Goals for 2023:
Mainstream circular economy actions along all value chain processes.
Grace Cheung
General Manager Sustainability
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific
General Manager Sustainability
Grace Cheung is the General Manager of Group Sustainability Department at Cathay Pacific. Since taking up her role in 2017, Grace has turned sustainability from a standalone specialist function to an integrated strategic and operational imperative in the airline group.
During Grace’s tenure, Cathay Pacific has committed for its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, supported by its mid-term target for using 10% sustainable aviation fuel(SAF) by 2030. The airline group is a founding member of Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (HKSAFC)in 2024 and has also launched the first major Corporate SAF Programme in Asia in 2022. The airline has also cut more than 50% of its inflight single-use plastics (SUP) in 2023 compared to 2018.
Grace represents the airline in a number of industry working groups devoted to sustainability and environmental issues, including the ones at International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Oneworld Alliance.
My Sustainability Goals for 2024:
1. HK Government releases a more concrete policy to support SAF deployment in HK without negative impact on the competitiveness of HK’s role of international aviation hub.
2. The awareness of importance of SAF from the public is enhanced.
Vincent De Givry
Principal
Blunomy
Blunomy
Principal
Vincent is a specialist in energy transition for businesses and financial institutions. He has been for 2 years with Blunomy, a strategy advisory firm based in Hong Kong. Prior to this, he spent 30 years working in industry, the last 5 of which were spent transforming business portfolios with a low carbon offering. He is passionate about analysing opportunities, changing business models, building coalitions and looking in detail at the challenges to successful decarbonisation. He has strong expertise in the Asian market, advising some major companies on their energy and climate transition.
My Sustainability Goals for 2024:
Support Hong Kong in drawing up a solid roadmap for energy transition that can be rapidly activated and that will enable the city to become a world leader and a green benchmark
Sarah Lang
Chief of Staff/ Sustainability Representative APAC
Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa Group
Chief of Staff/ Sustainability Representative APAC
Sarah works as Chief of Staff and sustainability Representative for Lufthansa Group in APAC. She has more than 10 years of experience in International Consulting and Mobility Start-ups focusing on, Digital Transformation and Sustainability Strategy.
Chris Wong
Assistant General Manager – Property Portfolio & Aviation Franchises
Airport Authority Hong Kong
Airport Authority Hong Kong
Assistant General Manager – Property Portfolio & Aviation Franchises
Chris is currently the Assistant General Manager for Property Portfolio & Aviation Franchises for the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
He is responsible for overseeing the aviation franchises at HKIA including aviation fuel, air catering, aircraft maintenance and business aviation, etc. He manages the property portfolio of HKIA which covers airport hotels and airline offices. He works closely with the industry stakeholders in managing the aviation fuel system of HKIA especially the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Chris has over 20 years of experience in aviation and logistics industry. Before joining AAHK, he was working in a listed conglomerate in Hong Kong with active involvement in various infrastructure investments such as Airport, Railway, Port Terminal and Logistic Centre. He was also a core member in the investment and development of a top 10 global aircraft lessor with a fleet of over 200 aircraft.
The HKSAFC engages stakeholders in developing Hong Kong’s position as a regional and global hub for SAF by promoting 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.
Our sustainability goals for 2024:
HKSAFC’s sustainability goals and decarbonisation opportunities:
Solutions Showcase:
General Enquiry Email Address: pradmin@bec.org.hk
Co-Headline Sponsor for the European Stage
The Lufthansa Group is an aviation company with worldwide operations and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliated companies. The Lufthansa Group is composed of the segments Passenger Airlines and Aviation Services. All business segments are among the leading providers in their respective industries.
Our sustainability goals for 2024:
The Lufthansa Group has contributed to the progress of the aviation industry. Now we want to lead it into a sustainable future. To achieve our ambitious goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 and cutting our net carbon emissions in half by 2030 compared to 2019, the Lufthansa Group is continuously implementing a wide range of innovative measures.
Solutions Showcase:
UN SDG goals that we align with:
Legal Name: Lufthansa German Airlines
General Enquiry Email Address: hongkong.lufthansa@dlh.de
General Enquiry Phone Number: 2868 2313
As a Hong Kong-based airline with extensive global networks, Cathay Pacific is committed to adopting sustainable practices within our operations and along the value chain. Together with our people, customers and industry partners, we are leading the way for a sustainable and carbon neutral future.
Our sustainability goals for 2024:
UN SDG goals that we align with:
Legal Name: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
General Enquiry Email Address: sustainability@cathaypacific.com
General Enquiry Phone Number: 27473333
Nic Fong
Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme Manager
Cathay Pacific
Sonal Chugani
Diversity & Inclusion Lead
Cathay Pacific
Edward Bell
GM Brand, Insights & Marketing Communications
Cathay Pacific
Wendy Kwok
General Manager Employee Experience
Cathay Pacific
Karen Pong
Head of Sustainable Development
Cathay Pacific
Grace Cheung
General Manager Sustainability
Cathay Pacific