Hong Kong nature-based solutions design guidelines

The climate crisis and biodiversity loss are two of the biggest global threats we are facing today. Moreover, these two issues are related: rising global temperatures and the associated impacts of the climate crisis are threatening biodiversity resources and the stability of ecosystems. As ecosystems are increasingly affected by the changing climate, their ability to sequester carbon and provide resilience is also under pressure. This will in turn weaken the planet’s climate regulation, leading to even greater instability, further accelerating the climate crisis and hindering our planet’s ability to regulate temperature.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), agreed by 196 Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity in 2022 during the COP15 meeting, sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Target 8 of the GBF creates direct linkages between climate action and biodiversity conservation through a multi-faceted approach, including using nature and ecosystem-based approaches to help address the climate crisis through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions; as well as contribute to other societal needs such as
regulation of air, water and climate, soil health, pollination and reduction of disease risk (UNEP, 2022).
Locally, while highly urbanised, Hong Kong sustains rich biodiversity, with 40% of its land protected as country parks and special areas. In addition, urban habitats are important in maintaining overall biodiversity as well as habitat connectivity, and should not be overlooked.

As a coastal city in a sub-tropical and typhoon-prone area, Hong Kong’s coastal and low-lying areas are prone to flooding and require greater coastal resilience. Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Hong Kong is also facing increasingly severe hot weather episodes as a consequence of urban heat island effect and climate change. Implementing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across different environments in Hong Kong can help manage the climate crisis and contribute
to biodiversity conservation. Moreover, NbS bring other benefits, such as improved air quality, food security, job creation and enhanced urban environments. In this way, multiple societal challenges can be addressed with simple ecosystem interventions.

Despite growing global recognition of NbS, Hong Kong currently lacks a dedicated, comprehensive set of design guidelines tailored to its unique urban and ecological context. To bridge this gap and support the mainstreaming of NbS in public works and infrastructure projects, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) have jointly developed this NbS Design Guidelines (hereafter referred to as HKNbSDG). It provides a localised, context-sensitive framework for designing NbS for implementation in Hong Kong’s urban and natural environments. We aim to inspire and empower government departments, planners, engineers, landscape architects, and other stakeholders to adopt NbS, supporting Hong Kong’s transition towards a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and nature-positive future.

source:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/%E3%85%A4-ugcPost-7454268914278178817-z4xL