Close Important Notice
Important Notice
Sustainability

Biodiversity

Chinese White Dolphin

AAHK aims to avoid and minimise adverse impacts on nature and biodiversity related to the development and operation of HKIA.

Nature and biodiversity are important considerations for Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). We recognise that our activities in and around Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and within our complex supply chains may have impacts on nature and biodiversity.

During 2024/25, we began an in-depth analysis of our business footprint to map material biodiversity impacts and dependencies relating to our facilities, operations and value chain. This will help us set a clear course to address our immediate nature priorities in alignment with current and emerging best practices and standards. These efforts will assist us in pinpointing areas of focus and inform the development of a roadmap to address nature risks as an integral part of our sustainability strategy.

Our Story

Marine Ecology and Fisheries Enhancement Strategy

AAHK is highly committed to protecting and enhancing the rich and diversified habitats and natural environments around HKIA. Our airport is located to the north of Lantau Island and is surrounded by a range of marine and terrestrial habitats that are home to several species of significant ecological value. As part of our commitment, a Marine Ecology and Fisheries Enhancement Strategy (MEFES) has been implemented since the early stages of the Three-Runway System expansion works as a long-term voluntary undertaking.

The MEFES includes both statutory and voluntary initiatives for enhancing the marine environment for the benefit of marine ecology (including Chinese White Dolphins) and to provide support and assistance to the fishing community and to encourage more sustainable fishing operations. Initiatives are either implemented directly by AAHK, or comprise a range of projects supported by the Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund (MEEF) and the Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF).

Pearl farming
Crayfish
Horseshoe crab

Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund and Fisheries Enhancement Fund

In late 2016, AAHK established the MEEF and FEF with a total capital injection of $400 million. These funds, run by independent management committees, aim to enhance the marine environment for the benefit of marine ecology and fisheries resources.

Funded projects are typically managed and carried out by universities, research organisations, and fisheries industry associations.

Examples of funded projects include:

North Lantau Marine Park

North Lantau Marine Park

A new North Lantau Marine Park (NLMP) is established as a mitigation measure for marine habitat impacted by the Three-Runway System (3RS) Project. The 2,400 hectares of the NLMP connects with the existing and adjacent marine parks to form a combined marine park matrix of about 4,500 hectares. The interconnected protected area is expected to provide positive and synergistic effects for the conservation of marine ecology including the Chinese White Dolphins (CWDs) and fisheries resources. AAHK is also pursuing a range of enhancement initiatives to enrich the local marine environment and support healthy fisheries in conjunction with the designation of the NLMP.

Voluntary Enhancement Measures

AAHK is also implementing a number of marine ecology and fisheries enhancement projects in Lantau waters on a voluntary basis under the MEFES.

Artificial Reef (AR) and Shellfish Reef Deployment

In 2021, AAHK deployed 100 AR units on the seabed to the west of HKIA’s South Runway and around 400 tonnes of limestone along a section north of the Third Runway, with shellfish deployed and seeded amongst the limestone. A 12-month monitoring programme revealed positive ecological benefits. The shellfish reef recorded over five times more species compared to the start of the project, and four times more than the control boulders on the shoreline. Furthermore, ARs recorded five times more species than the baseline period after deployment. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of increasing species diversity. AAHK is now considering to scale up the successful initiatives on a larger scale in North Lantau waters.

Fish restocking phase 2

In the fish restocking pilot test launched by AAHK in 2019, over 8,000 fish fingerlings were released to the artificial sea wall west of the airport island. A series of post-release monitoring revealed that fishes were detected near the release location.

Building upon the successful results of Phase 1, AAHK has released approximately 20,000 fish fingerings at the pilot artificial reef site, and about 1,000,000 shrimp fry in southwest Lantau waters. To assess the effectiveness of the release, acoustic monitoring, remote underwater videos, and underwater visual censuses were conducted over a six-month period.

Other voluntary initiatives include:

Awards & Recognition

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Green Airports Recognition 2024 — Platinum Recognition ("Over 35 million passengers per annum" category)
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Green Airports Recognition 2024 — Platinum Recognition ("Over 35 million passengers per annum" category)