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CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines (with photos)
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     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) jointly launched the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines (HKNbSDG) today (March 3). The HKNbSDG aims to provide practical planning and design guidelines for infrastructure and development projects. It promotes the application of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems, striking a balance between development and nature conservation while enhancing Hong Kong's climate resilience and driving sustainable development.

     With reference to the global standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as well as relevant overseas, Mainland and local guidelines, the HKNbSDG proposes three core principles: (1) promoting ecosystem diversity at multiple scales; (2) embracing human-nature coexistence for mutual benefits; and (3) improving resilience through NbS. Factoring in the characteristics of Hong Kong's natural ecology and urban development, it provides clear guidance and local case studies to enable engineering teams to seamlessly integrate NbS into their workflows.

     Speaking at the promulgation ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said that NbS is crucial for realising the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. The Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2035, announced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau late last year, proposed the widespread application of NbS to provide practical, effective and forward-looking solutions for urban planning, design and development, thereby addressing various urban challenges while strengthening ecological conservation. She pointed out that Hong Kong possesses a vast network of ecological protection areas in close proximity to urban areas, along with a rich pool of relevant professional talent and institutions, which will help facilitate the further development of NbS.

     In his address, the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, said that NbS is not new to Hong Kong. Over recent years, works departments have championed "blue-green infrastructure", built functional "urban mini-forests" and eco-shorelines, and utilised vegetation to maintain natural hill slope stability. To scale up these successful experiences, the Government must integrate individual pilot applications into a structured, mainstreamed approach, hence the necessity of formulating the HKNbSDG. The Northern Metropolis presents a timely opportunity to actively integrate urban development with ecological conservation through NbS.

     In the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis, the Government will strive to incorporate the design principles of the HKNbSDG to enhance climate resilience and promote biodiversity. Among these projects, the planning and design of the San Tin Technopole will draw on the HKNbSDG to introduce various NbS, achieving the vision of coexistence of development and conservation, as well as harmony between humans and nature.
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     The HKNbSDG has been uploaded to the websites of the CEDD (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/publications/miscellaneous/nm-santintech/index.html) and the AFCD (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/Con_hkbsap/bsap_resources_references/bsap_resources_references.html).
 
Ends/Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:02
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The Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department jointly held the promulgation ceremony of the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines today (March 3), promoting the application of Nature-based Solutions to address societal challenges. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, delivering a speech at the ceremony.
The Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department jointly held the promulgation ceremony of the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines today (March 3), promoting the application of Nature-based Solutions to address societal challenges. Photo shows the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, delivering a speech at the ceremony.
The Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department jointly held the promulgation ceremony of the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines today (March 3), promoting the application of Nature-based Solutions to address societal challenges. Photo shows (from left) the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam; the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong; the Global Head of Nature-based Solutions Centre of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Mr Charles Karangwa; and the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Mickey Lai, at the ceremony.
The Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department jointly held the promulgation ceremony of the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines today (March 3), promoting the application of Nature-based Solutions to address societal challenges. About 80 representatives from academia, professional institutions, green groups, the finance sector, and public and private organisations attended the ceremony.