Policy Address 2022｜WWF promotes the establishment of a sustainable development office to formulate a comprehensive nature conservation policy

The Chief Executive, Mr Lee Ka-chiu, will announce his first "Policy Address" on October 19.

The World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (WWF) wrote an article urging the authorities to formulate a comprehensive nature conservation policy as soon as possible, and suggested setting up a sustainable development office to make comprehensive spatial planning and integrate development into nature conservation.

For example, WWF pointed out that the government's design of the northern metropolitan area must incorporate the concept of environmental protection infrastructure, and the area around the proposed wetland conservation park will be developed into a "smart sponge city" to reduce the impact of climate warming on the coastal areas in the future.

WWF also believes that the authorities must enhance the biodiversity of Hong Kong. The first task is to publish the Hong Kong Biodiversity Indicator Report on a regular basis, and must keep up with international standards and expand the marine protected area to 30% of Hong Kong's waters by 2030.

▼The proposed site selection of three wetland conservation parks in the northern metropolitan area▼

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Hong Kong urgently needs a comprehensive nature conservation policy

Written by: Assistant Manager of WWF Hong Kong Branch - Conservation Policy Tan Zhijing

The new government will deliver its first policy address on October 19. Recently, the Chief Executive has also launched a number of public consultations to gather social forces and brainstorm ideas.

WWF Hong Kong (WWF) hopes that the new government can adopt a comprehensive nature conservation policy as soon as possible, integrate conservation into the blueprint of Hong Kong's future development, and lead Hong Kong to become the most sustainable city in Asia.

The Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan, posted a blog after taking office, revealing that the Environment and Ecology Bureau will strive to create a more comprehensive, comfortable and healthy living environment for Hong Kong citizens.

We are glad to see that the Secretary has put "creating a livable environment" as the focus of his work, and more comprehensively building an ecological civilization in Hong Kong.

Implemented a comprehensive nature conservation strategy and established the Northern Metropolitan Office

However, implementing a comprehensive nature conservation policy requires inter-departmental support and collaboration.

Taking the northern metropolitan area as an example of the government's key development, the government should set up a sustainable development office and make comprehensive spatial planning through a proactive and comprehensive nature conservation strategy to integrate development into nature conservation.

The northern metropolis has great potential to develop into a sustainable model for the Greater Bay Area and beyond.

However, when designing the northern metropolitan area, it is necessary to combine conservation and integrate the concept of environmental protection infrastructure, and create a "smart sponge city" that allows development around the proposed wetland conservation park to reduce the impact of climate warming on coastal areas in the future. influences.

This can not only beautify the urban space, bring a better life and a safe home for citizens, but also protect wild species and maintain wetland ecosystem services.

Green space plays an integral role in a beautiful and healthy city.

The fusion of Hong Kong's unique natural landscape and modern urban landscape is rare in the world. Therefore, we need to maintain and protect Hong Kong's precious natural environment.

Because nature not only provides Hong Kong people with a good place to relax, but also provides a series of ecosystem services. The healthy food we eat, clean water, and fresh air we breathe all come from nature.

Hong Kong's wetland system protects our city from extreme weather, provides natural flood protection and stores carbon dioxide.

Actively address the climate crisis and establish green finance standards

Hong Kong's carbon footprint far exceeds that of its own. In the global fight against the climate crisis, Hong Kong should follow the footsteps of other countries and regions and seek new opportunities amid challenges.

As an international financial center, Hong Kong should play a leading role and promote the development of green finance.

Hong Kong should establish credible and effective green finance standards to attract foreign investment and bring significant economic benefits to Hong Kong.

In addition to green finance, the authorities also need to consider the negative impacts on biodiversity when implementing green net-zero carbon cities.

For example, before the construction of offshore wind farms, Hong Kong should carry out sound and forward-looking marine spatial planning to ensure that the marine ecology will not be damaged, so as to achieve the harmony between development and conservation.

Strengthening Hong Kong's Biodiversity

Regarding the enhancement of Hong Kong's biodiversity, the Association believes that the first priority is to publish the Hong Kong Biodiversity Indicator Report on a regular basis, so as to grasp the local situation and trends, so as to be able to prevent problems before they occur.

In addition, enhancing marine biodiversity can bring significant socioeconomic benefits, including outdoor recreation, ecotourism and sustainable fisheries.

We need to keep up with international standards and expand marine protected areas to 30% of Hong Kong's waters by 2030, quantifying active conservation strategies.

The United Nations report has warned that one million species of plants and animals are facing extinction. As a global trade center, Hong Kong should also shoulder the responsibility of maintaining global biodiversity.

In addition to stepping up efforts to combat illegal wildlife, Hong Kong is also the eighth largest seafood consumer in the world, and Hong Kong people's choice of seafood is affecting the global fishery situation.

In order to promote the sustainable development of fisheries, Hong Kong should establish a seafood labeling system to improve the transparency of the seafood supply chain. Specifically, the origin, production method and scientific name of species should be provided on pre-packaged seafood products, so as to facilitate the public to choose environmentally friendly seafood.

In addition to enhancing biodiversity, we should also strive to achieve the goal of "clean plastic nature" by 2030, and establish a comprehensive, innovative and legally enforceable waste management system to solve the existing "old, big and difficult" environmental sanitation problems.

Taking the Producer Responsibility Program for Plastic Beverage Containers as an example, WWF recommends that the government follow the principles of "CATCH", namely circular, adaptive, transparent, convenient and holistic to ensure this. The plan can restore public confidence in the recycling system and solve the long-standing, wide-ranging and difficult-to-solve problem of plastic pollution.

We hope that the new government will fulfill its commitment to formulate a comprehensive set of nature conservation policies as soon as possible, and be determined to achieve the goal of Nature Positive, enhance Hong Kong's biodiversity by 2030, and at the same time allow citizens to have A livable comfort zone.

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