Trusting in the power of nature to combat climate change: Hong Kong's approach unveiled
In a bid to align with the upcoming updates of the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) and the Climate Action Plan, Hong Kong is set to integrate nature-based solutions (NbS) into its urban planning, particularly for the Northern Metropolis megaproject. This approach, detailed in a 2025 landmark report by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in collaboration with Civic Exchange, positions the Northern Metropolis as a flagship opportunity to demonstrate how urban growth can harmonize with thriving ecosystems.
The plan encompasses several key elements, including wetland restoration, mangrove and oyster reef restoration, hillside reforestation, and urban greening. These projects aim to preserve and enhance coastal ecosystems, combat the urban heat island effect, and provide critical flood protection and habitat for diverse species.
The integration of NbS is not limited to the local context. The roadmap calls for coordinated efforts across Hong Kong and neighbouring regions such as Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area, along with mobilizing financial mechanisms to support NbS projects. The medium-term focus is on developing a regional financing model based on biodiversity credits and carbon markets to economically incentivize restoration and conservation, involving the private sector.
The long-term goal is to institutionalize a governance framework for NbS, guiding policies, investments, and implementation across the region. This includes embedding NbS as essential climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation infrastructure in urban development to build resilience against climate impacts while promoting nature-positive growth.
Christine Loh, a strategist at the Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, underscores the importance of this approach, stating, "When we ignore nature, we create risk. When we restore it, we create value."
However, the development project has faced criticism over potential wetland habitat losses, underscoring the importance of comprehensive, high-level commitments and strategic planning in implementing NbS effectively. Organizations like Greenpeace and The Conservancy Association have criticized the destruction of protected wetlands despite official rhetoric about sustainability.
The report also emphasizes that nearly a million species are at risk of global extinction, many in the coming decades. By leveraging the multifunctional benefits of nature, such as flood mitigation, temperature regulation, and habitat preservation, within the urban expansion of the Northern Metropolis, the plan aims to address these challenges and make Hong Kong a leader in climate-resilient urban planning.
In summary, the Northern Metropolis megaproject's NbS roadmap is designed to make Hong Kong a leader in climate-resilient urban planning by embedding natural infrastructure that supports both sustainable development and biodiversity conservation at scale. The proposed plan involves restoring wetlands, mangroves, and reforesting hills to reduce heat and mitigate flooding in Hong Kong, while also using natural processes to solve human problems like flooding, water purification, carbon capture, and cooling the city. The report's approach is to make nature a guiding principle for urban decisions, not just about planting trees.
[1] The Nature Conservancy. (2025). Northern Metropolis: A Flagship Opportunity for Nature-Based Solutions in Hong Kong. [online] Available at: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/asia-pacific/china/hong-kong/ [Accessed 20 April 2023].
[3] Civic Exchange. (2025). Northern Metropolis: A Flagship Opportunity for Nature-Based Solutions in Hong Kong. [online] Available at: https://www.civicexchange.org/ [Accessed 20 April 2023].
[5] Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (2023). Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2030. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.hk/en/publications/biodiversity/bsap/bsap2030/bsap2030_index.htm [Accessed 20 April 2023].
- The plan to make Hong Kong a leader in climate-resilient urban planning includes the integration of environmental-science principles, such as wetland restoration and hillside reforestation, into the Northern Metropolis megaproject.
- To economically incentivize restoration and conservation efforts, the proposed plan aims to develop a regional financing model based on biodiversity credits and carbon markets, engaging the private sector in promoting sustainable-living practices and home-and-garden projects.
- The long-term vision is to institutionalize a governance framework for nature-based solutions (NbS) that embeds NbS as essential infrastructure in urban development, addressing climate-change impacts while fostering a thriving environment for diverse species.
