Liveable Cities & Transportation Theatre
Powering Hong Kong’s Green Skies: Infrastructure for a Sustainable Aviation Hub
12 Sep (Fri) Day 2 : 12:20 – 13:10
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (“SAF”) is at the heart of the decarbonisation efforts of the hard-to-abate aviation sector. This session will explore the critical infrastructure needed to support the widespread adoption of SAF and position Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) as a leading regional and global SAF hub. Drawing insights from the recently released Policy Whitepaper on SAF Strategy for Hong Kong, the session will explore the challenges and opportunities for building SAF infrastructure.
Key topics include the feasibility of local SAF blending facilities, opportunity that SAF infrastructure can bring to Hong Kong, and the role of cross-sector collaboration in overcoming hurdles. Through expert perspectives and actionable recommendations, this session aims to provide insights for fostering resilient SAF infrastructure—paving the way for Hong Kong’s aviation sector to meet global decarbonisation targets.
Learnings
- Understand the current state of SAF infrastructure at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and its capacity to handle pre-blended SAF.
- Explore the challenges and opportunities in developing local SAF blending facilities and strengthening supply chain resilience.
- Learn about recommendations from the Policy Whitepaper on SAF Strategy for Hong Kong, including proposed feasibility studies and policy measures.
- Gain insights into the role of Government policies, financial incentives, and cross-sector collaboration in de-risking investments for SAF infrastructure.
- Discover practical strategies for integrating SAF into existing airport fueling systems and scaling its adoption.
Post-event Actions
- Advocate for and support feasibility studies into local SAF blending facilities.
- Engage with Government bodies, industry stakeholders, and financial institutions to promote policies and incentives that lower SAF adoption barriers.
- Foster collaborations between airlines, fuel suppliers, airport operators, and investors to build robust SAF supply chains.
- Prioritise investments in SAF infrastructure development as part of corporate sustainability and decarbonisation strategies.
- Educate organisational teams about SAF benefits and advocate for greater uptake within the aviation ecosystem.
Speakers
Moderator
Merlin Lao
Head – Policy and Research
Business Environment Council
Merlin Lao
Business Environment Council
Head – Policy and Research
Mr. Merlin Lao is the Head – Policy & Research at Building Environment Council Limited (BEC). He is leading a team to share clear policy positions on pressing climate and environmental topics in Hong Kong, through research on latest domestic and international trends, engaging with the Hong Kong SAR Government and connecting insights of the local business sector. He is keen on net-zero transition that not only looks at decarbonisation, but also a more equal and liveable built environment.
Mr. Lao is a programme management professional with 15 years of climate change and environment career experience across private, public and non-profit sectors in East Asia, with major exposure in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and South Korea. Prior to joining BEC, he was the senior programme manager at an international non-governmental organisation driving sustainable cities agenda in China, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea, covering topics of air quality, low-emission development, urban resilience, circular economy and nature-based solutions. He also led the environmental protection planning at the Macao Environmental Protection Bureau and worked in a technical consultancy dedicated in carbon accounting and management in his earlier career.
My Sustainability Goal for 2025:
Hoping to see deeper work for various business sectors to look into decarbonisation roadmaps, in connection with abatement curves, economic transition and opportunities.
Pierre-Yves Buysschaert
General Manager Hong Kong, South China and Macao
Lufthansa Group
Pierre-Yves Buysschaert
Lufthansa Group
General Manager Hong Kong, South China and Macao
As General Manager for Hong Kong, South China and Macau at Lufthansa Group since January 2025, Pierre-Yves Buysschaert is responsible for the commercial operations across Asia’s most vibrant and competitive aviation markets. With a particular focus on sustainable growth, he leads business development, revenue optimization, and cross-cultural team leadership in this dynamic region.
Pierre-Yves is driving Lufthansa Group’s commercial development by strengthening partnerships with corporate clients, travel agencies, and local stakeholders. One of his main objectives is supporting the further development of sustainable travel initiatives that align with the region’s evolving environmental priorities.
My Sustainability Goals for 2025:
- To promote and support positive environmental change by enhancing our communication to passengers, corporates and travel partners about sustainable aviation practices.
- Encourage the travel community to adopt more ecofriendly travel habits through the different possibilities which are available and by sharing their sustainability efforts.
- Working with local communities to build awareness about responsible travel, ensuring we create a sustainable future that future generations will embrace.
Grace Cheung
General Manager Sustainability
Cathay Pacific
Grace Cheung
Cathay Pacific
General Manager Sustainability
Grace Cheung is General Manager Sustainability at Cathay Pacific. Leading the Group Sustainability Department, Grace oversees sustainability strategy and ESG performance of the whole Cathay Group. Under Grace’s leadership, sustainability has changed 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 and 12% carbon intensity improvement by 2030. The airline has also launched the first major Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme in Asia in 2022.
Grace has also led Cathay’s effort in circular economy, reducing its environmental footprint on materials and waste. The airline has reduced its customer-facing single-use plastic items from an average of 7.7 pieces per passenger in 2019 down to 3.1 in 2023. A new target is set to bring it down further to 1.5 pieces per passenger by 2025, supported by additional targets on recycled plastics usage and recycling rate.
Grace represents Cathay in a number of industry working groups advocating for supportive policies and best practices sharing for further development of sustainability in the airline industry. Grace is the Chair of the Environment & Sustainability Board at the oneworld alliance and the Vice Chair of the Sustainability & Environment Advisory Council at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Sylvia Har
General Manager
ECO Aviation Fuel Services Limited
Sylvia Har
ECO Aviation Fuel Services Limited
General Manager
Ms. Sylvia Har is the General Manager of ECO Aviation Fuel Services Limited, a subsidiary of The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas). She is responsible for managing the Permanent Aviation Fuel Facility (PAFF)—the sole gateway for receiving aviation fuel in Hong Kong. Prior to joining ECO, Ms. Har has 20+ years of experience in the petrochemical, oil & gas, and environmental engineering sectors, contributing to a wide range of complex infrastructure and energy projects across the region.
Ms. Har is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE), the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). She is dedicated to advancing safe, efficient, sustainable and responsible engineering practices within the aviation fuel industry, with a strong focus on environmental stewardship in Hong Kong.
Supported by
Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition
The Hong Kong Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition (“HKSAFC”) is a programme launched by Business Environment Council, that engages stakeholders in developing Hong Kong’s position as a regional and global hub for SAF; and promotes the introduction of SAF industry-related support policies to the HKSAR Government. The HKSAFC works collectively with all relevant stakeholders across the value chain.
Our sustainability goals for 2025
- Supporting the Government to introduce industry-related policies of SAF
- Striving to accelerate the deployment of credible SAF in Hong Kong
- Contributing to the low-carbon economy transition of Hong Kong and the national goal of carbon neutrality
- Strengthening the position of Hong Kong as a leading aviation hub and sustainable finance centre
- Encouraging airline uptake of SAF across flight portfolios to reduce carbon emissions
- Supporting cutting-edge research and development on SAF production, technology and
certification with regional cooperation - Mainstreaming sustainable finance initiatives to support SAF development
- Establishing a platform for stakeholders to share expertise and best practices to enable
mainstream usage of SAF
Products, Services & Solutions
- Circular Solutions
- Efficient Energy & Utilities
- Sustainability Products
- Technology & Innovation
- Transport/Mobility
General Enquiry Email Address: pradmin@bec.org.hk
With thanks to
Cathay Pacific
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 2025:
- Continue to focus on quality, compliance and operational excellence to ensure our customers and our people are as safe as possible
- Devise short, mid and long term work plans to meet net zero carbon goals by 2050
- Engage in innovative projects related to single-use plastics and food waste reduction
- Prioritise employee safety and wellbeing while adapting to the changing business circumstances
- Support local communities where we serve
UN SDG goals that we align with:
- SDG 5 Gender Equality
- SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13 Climate Action
- SDG 14 Life below Water
- SDG 15 Life on Land
Legal Name: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited
General Enquiry Email Address: sustainability@cathaypacific.com
General Enquiry Phone Number: 27473333
Meet our speakers:
Lufthansa Group
Networking Lounge Co-Sponsor
The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. It plays a leading role in its European home market. With 101,709 employees, the Lufthansa Group generated revenue of EUR 37,581m in the financial year 2024.
The Lufthansa Group consists of the business segments Passenger Airlines, Logistics, MRO and Additional Businesses. The Passenger Airlines business segment includes, on the one hand, the network airlines Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. As part of a multi-hub strategy, they offer their passengers a broad range of flights from their hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels. Lufthansa Airlines also has close relationships with the regional airlines Lufthansa CityLine, Lufthansa City Airlines and Air Dolomiti as well as Discover Airlines, the Lufthansa Group’s holiday airline. Edelweiss, the leading Swiss holiday airline, has a close relationship with SWISS.
Eurowings also belongs to the Passenger Airlines business segment. This airline provides a comprehensive range of point-to-point connections for short- and medium-haul destinations, in particular from German-speaking countries.
Our sustainability goals for 2025:
Sustainability is an integral part of the Lufthansa Group’s corporate strategy
Doing business sustainably and responsibly is embedded in the Lufthansa Group’s corporate strategy. The Lufthansa Group is convinced that it has an obligation to create value for customers, employees and investors in the long term, and to meet its responsibility towards the environment, people and society. As one of the world’s largest and leading airline groups the Lufthansa Group strives to play an active role in shaping global aviation, also in terms of sustainability, and to set standards. In its mission statement, the Lufthansa Group states that it connects people, cultures and economies in a sustainable way. It uses the potential of innovation and digitalisation to strengthen its focus on sustainability. Dialogue with stakeholders and compliance with Company-wide standards play a key role in ensuring a balance.
The Lufthansa Group has set ambitious climate protection goals. It aims to halve its net carbon emissions from flight operations by 2030 compared to 2019, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As an additional goal, the Lufthansa Group aims to become carbon neutral within their mobility on the ground in its home markets by 2030. The Lufthansa Group has joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and is following a clearly defined CO₂ reduction path. Lufthansa Group’s target to achieve a 30.6% reduction in CO₂ intensity in 2030 compared to 2019 was successfully validated in 2022 by SBTi as the first European airline group and the second worldwide.
THE LUFTHANSA GROUP’S TOOLS FOR ACHIEVING ITS CLIMATE GOALS
- Fleet modernization: More modern and fuel-efficient aircraft provide the greatest leverage for reducing CO₂ emissions in this decade.
- Offsetting: High-quality, certified offset projects that promote climate change mitigation worldwide are complemented by CORSIA, the international offset instrument for carbon-neutral growth in air transport.
- Alternative transport to hubs: The expansion and interconnection of air, rail and bus services makes it possible to reduce the number of short-haul flights and offer alternative modes of travel.
- Sustainable aviation fuels: The key to making flying more climate-friendly is to increase the use of sustainable fuels.
- Efficiency in flight operations: Tools used every day to reduce carbon emissions include intelligent route planning, modern approach procedures, and the latest technologies.
UN SDG(s) that we align with:
- SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4 Quality Education
- SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13 Climate Action
- SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Legal Name: Lufthansa German Airlines
General Enquiry Email Address: hongkong.lufthansa@dlh.de
General Enquiry Phone Number: 2868 2313