Enhancing HKIA's Resilience for a Changing Climate

Hong Kong has recently experienced unprecedented weather events, with a record-breaking number of annual black rainstorm warnings and two signal No. 10 typhoons. Thanks to our comprehensive preparedness efforts, airport operations and key facilities remained largely normal and unscathed. Our established measures, from securing air bridges to enhancing the drainage system and flood prevention around airport roads and works sites, proved effective.

To ensure continuous improvement, we introduced the Climate Event Feedback Mechanism (CEFM) last year. Through the CEFM, we systematically capture information on damages and operational impacts to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) after extreme weather events. This valuable feedback loop allows us to rigorously review the existing measures and implement new adaptation strategies, helping us to future-proof HKIA against climate change.

As we strive to enhance climate resilience across the airport, I am pleased to share some key milestones and updates from our broader sustainability journey:

• Release of Sustainability Report 2024/25 – Our latest report highlights Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)’s sustainability management approach and achievements within our strategic framework, Ascend.
   
• Launch of Carbon Website – Launched in August 2025, this website aims to educate the public on HKIA’s decarbonisation journey and provide information to investors and stakeholders on AAHK’s carbon management approach.
   
• Funding granted for marine ecology and fisheries enhancement – The independent Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund and Fisheries Enhancement Fund have collectively granted over HK$16 million to 16 projects in FY2025/26.
   
• Awards & recognitions 
   
  • CLP Smart Energy Award 2025 – AAHK received the Sustainable Carbon Neutral Award – Excellence Award in the Public Utility category, recognising our efforts in strengthening carbon management systems and reducing airport-wide emissions and energy use. 
     
  • BEAM Plus Final Gold Rating – Transit Mail Centre received the Final Gold rating under BEAM Plus New Building v2.0 in September, showcasing our dedication to green building standards. 
     

As always, we remain committed to working closely with our airport community to strengthen HKIA’s resilience and environmental stewardship. We welcome collaborative initiatives that help us address emerging challenges and build a greener future for all.


Peter Lee 
Chief Sustainability Officer 
Airport Authority Hong Kong 

AAHK shares the beauty of Hong Kong’s western waters with the public

Q&A with Martin Putnam, Senior Manager, Biodiversity
 
Q: The establishment of the North Lantau Marine Park (NLMP) last year was a landmark event. How is AAHK leveraging this substantial conservation area to engage and educate the public on the importance of Hong Kong's marine environment? 

A: The 2,400-hectare NLMP is the largest marine park in Hong Kong. It connects with the two other marine parks in North Lantau waters, as well as being contiguous with the Pearl River Estuary Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) National Nature Reserve. This large and interconnected marine protected area serves to significantly enhance the conservation potential of Hong Kong’s western waters for CWDs and other important species in waters near HKIA. Earlier this year, we hosted the “Treasures of the Western Waters” exhibition from April to June, giving both passengers and the general public an opportunity to learn more about the rich biodiversity in HKIA’s surrounding waters. We’ve also been taking people out onto the water. A series of guided eco-tours has been organised for a wide range of participants, including primary school, secondary school and university students, participants in the EXTRA MILE project and many other important stakeholders. To reach an even broader audience, we partnered with a local television station to produce a series of short videos promoting our marine enhancement initiatives.

Q: What makes the AAHK eco-tour experience truly unique, and what can participants expect to see and do out there?

A: Our goal is to provide an engaging and educational experience for everyone who joins our eco-tours. Participants get a first-hand look at AAHK’s voluntary marine ecology and fisheries enhancement projects, gaining insights into the science and effort behind our conservation work. A highlight of the tour has been the opportunity for participants to observe Hong Kong’s iconic CWDs in their natural habitat. We further offered an oyster shell colouring workshop as part of the tour to the participants from the “EduCare” programme under the EXTRA MILE project, for them to create unique souvenirs.

Q: Can you share what’s next on the horizon for marine conservation efforts in North Lantau waters?

A: Since 2019, AAHK’s efforts on marine conservation have included the release of 90,000 fish fry, deployment of 600 artificial reef units and establishment of over half a kilometre of shellfish reefs to support marine biodiversity. We are committed to conducting post-release monitoring to assess the effectiveness of these initiatives. Looking ahead, we are planning two more fish fry releases in the coming years, building on the success of our major fish release on 6 June, the National Fish Releasing Day. We have also started a six-year holistic monitoring programme to assess the effectiveness of the NLMP in conserving the marine environment. A key focus over this period will be tracking any rebound in CWD usage of North Lantau waters following the NLMP designation.
 

Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 gazetted and will be fully implemented in September 2026

In Hong Kong, buildings account for approximately 90% of the city’s total electricity consumption and over 50% of its carbon emissions.¹ To further promote energy saving in buildings, the HKSAR Government has taken a significant step forward in energy management with the gazettal of Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (the Ordinance) in June. The Ordinance, set to be fully implemented on 20 September 2026, introduces a series of measures to further enhance energy efficiency across the city’s built environment.

The Ordinance brings five major amendments:

1. Expanding coverage to all data centers: It regulates the energy efficiency standards of building services installation for all data centers.


2. Require more types of building to conduct regular energy audits: Mandatory energy audits are extended to nine additional types of buildings, including airport passenger terminal, railway station, building that is occupied principally for education purpose etc.


3. Shorten the interval of energy audits: The intervals for conducting energy audits will be shortened from ten years to five years.


4. Disclose technical data in energy audit reports: Certain technical information in energy audit reports, including energy efficiency coefficient, year of service, control system and energy saving potential of major building services installations must be disclosed and published on Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD)’s website.


5. Registered Energy Assessor: Effective 20 September 2025, the pool of qualified Registered Energy Assessors is broadened to include energy discipline of Registered Professional Engineers, energy discipline of corporate member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and professional member of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals.

1. Energy Saving and Green Building - Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development
2. Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to be gazetted on Friday