Client: Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK)
Sector: Aviation
Location: Hong Kong
Ambition to: Become the greenest airport in the world and achieve ACA Level 4 “Transformation”
Services: Carbon Inventory Development | ACA Certification Support | Long-term Carbon Target Development | Business Partner Engagement | Training | Tool Development
About the Client:
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the operator of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), is a global leader in aviation sustainability. AAHK has overseen the airport’s development into a major international aviation and cargo hub, connecting Hong Kong with destinations across Asia and worldwide. As the airport continues to expand, AAHK is advancing initiatives focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon reduction, and sustainable infrastructure.
The Challenge: Navigating the Complexity of Science-Aligned Targets
RESET has served as a trusted strategic partner since 2013, providing over a decade of continuous support to help AAHK navigate the evolving requirements of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program, from achieving Level 3 “Optimisation” to its current leadership at Level 4. While AAHK has a long history of airport-wide target setting, the 2022 transition to ACA Level 4 introduced a significant strategic hurdle. This level required AAHK to set long-term carbon targets aligned with climate science (IPCC 1.5°C pathway). This presented a dual challenge: using a data-driven approach to define a pathway that was both ambitious and achievable, and securing the commitment of over 29 aviation-related Business Partners (BPs) to follow the same rigorous trajectory.
Our Approach: Using a Data-Driven Alignment Strategy
RESET utilized its end-to-end service model, combining the expertise of consultants and engineers to transform high-level climate science into an actionable operational plan:
- Internal Departmental Engagement: We conducted deep-dive sessions with AAHK’s internal departments (such as Technical Services, Landside and Airfield) to understand operational constraints and identify decarbonization levers.
- Detailed Technical Analysis: Our engineers performed a robust analysis of fleet electrification, energy efficiency, and renewable electricity potential to build a data-backed reduction roadmap.
- Demonstrating Target Options: We presented AAHK with various science-aligned target options, visualizing the impact of different reduction initiatives so leadership could choose the most resilient path forward.
- Business Partner Engagement: To scale this commitment, we developed a bespoke Target Trajectory Tool for BPs, training them to model their own initiatives against the airport’s 2035 mid-term goal of 55% absolute reduction.
- Verifier-Approved Methodology: Throughout the process, we ensured that all projections, assumptions, and science-alignment methodologies were built to the highest standard, making the target and every data point audit-ready by ACI-approved verifiers.
Key Outcomes at a Glance:
- ACA Level 4 “Transformation”: Successfully navigated the transition to one of the highest tiers of global accreditation, recognizing AAHK’s science-aligned targets.
- Robust 2035 Roadmap: Established a clear, science-aligned reduction trajectory supported by all internal departments to achieve the 55% reduction target by 2035.
- Airport-Wide Commitment: Secured formal Net-Zero pledges from 29+ key Business Partners, unified by the shared Trajectory Tool.
- Proven Track Record: 10+ years of successful annual reviews and certifications without technical friction.
Result: A World-Class Carbon Management Framework
RESET’s long-term collaboration with AAHK has resulted in a world-class carbon management framework. By demonstrating clear options through detailed analysis and internal consensus-building, RESET ensured that AAHK’s transition to ACA Level 4 was not just a certification exercise, but a blueprint for real-world transformation.
From airports and aviation to apparel, construction and electronics, RESET Carbon’s expertise spans key sectors in Asia and beyond. Connect with our team to discuss your decarbonization challenges.
Our extensive experience in airport carbon management has recently been recognized through a Memorandum of Understanding at the Chung-Hua Airport Council. The partnership will see both organizations will work together to advance Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), strengthen airport carbon management capabilities, and support sustainability and net-zero transition efforts across Taiwan’s aviation sector.