Hong Kong Airport Ranked 6th Most Polluting Hub Globally
A recent study by UK thinktank ODI Global has identified Hong Kong International Airport as the sixth most polluting aviation hub worldwide and the second highest in the Asia-Pacific region regarding flight CO2 emissions. Based on 2023 data from the International Council on Clean Transportation, the report reveals that Hong Kong emitted 15.1 million tonnes of CO2 across 138,764 flights. Seoul ranked first in Asia-Pacific with 16.8 million tonnes, while Dubai led globally with 23.2 million tonnes. Additionally, Hong Kong ranked ninth worldwide for nitrogen oxide emissions, releasing 4,572 tonnes. The research highlights the aviation sector's significant environmental impact, noting it would be the fifth-largest emitter if considered a country. ODI Global cautioned against relying solely on sustainable aviation fuels due to high costs and supply constraints. The study projects that aviation could consume 15% of the remaining carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.7ºC by 2050, driven by a predicted 3.3% annual increase in passenger demand. Local authorities have been contacted for comment on these findings.
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