HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – March 27, 2024 – The Hong Kong Government is currently formulating the next phase of the city’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP), which is the overall conservation strategy for the nature. A group of more than 60 environmental advocates from the academic, NGO and business sectors gathered today for the first time since 2016 to launch a collaborative process to discuss progress under the current BSAP (2016-2021) and make suggestions for the next BSAP. China’s current BSAP (2023-2030) was released in mid-January this year and refers to Hong Kong as an important biodiversity region.
BSAP 2016-23 was Hong Kong’s first and was led by the Environment Bureau and the then Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (AFCD). The action plan included 57 actions divided into four areas: i) strengthening conservation measures, ii) integrating biodiversity, iii) improving our knowledge and iv) promoting community participation. While the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed progress on many fronts, it has also highlighted the importance of having a wide range of coastal and mountainous natural areas on the city’s doorstep, as millions of people have went to the countryside, marine parks and other natural areas to escape the crowds and relax. . Nature-based tourism, such as scuba diving, has reported a record number of searches for recreational opportunities in the SAR.
Major biodiversity-related developments globally since 2016 include deeper climate change with various weather records broken (including locally) and an associated worsening global biodiversity crisis. For example, WWF’s Living Planet 2022 report found that monitored populations of more than 5,200 species worldwide declined by about 69% between 1970 and 2018. Such findings triggered an intensifying global response, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. (GBF) agreed at the end of 2022, which includes targets for 2030 and 2050 to halt and reverse nature loss. Leading financial institutions and businesses have also come together to tackle biodiversity loss in a way never before seen through the formation of the Nature-Related Financial Reporting Task Force (TNFD) and a framework for measuring, disclosing and addressing impacts on biodiversity.
A steering committee of diverse biodiversity experts has been formed locally to guide a process by which the conservation community can review progress under the current BSAP and make suggestions for the next phase. This process is expected to last most of 2024 and result in a final report to the Office of Environment and Ecology and AFCD. The process began today with a workshop held at the Maritime Museum to inform interested conservationists about the upcoming process and begin work on priority areas. Government representatives from AFCD participated and shared their plans and priorities for updating the BSAP.
Steering committee chair Christine Loh, chief development strategist at the Institute for Environment at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, noted: “
The importance of biodiversity is now recognized globally as just as important as decarbonization in the age of sustainability. The loss of biodiversity constitutes a major planetary frontier. Hong Kong’s efforts to produce a BSAP appropriate for this era are essential, and we can only do this with cooperation between the public and private sectors. »
Business Environment Council CEO Simon Ng – another member of the steering committee – acknowledged the increased interest in nature conservation among the business sector since the formulation of the current BSAP. “Recently, businesses are increasingly aware of the relevance and importance of biodiversity and nature conservation to their business strategies and operations. Leading Hong Kong companies have made a global commitment by signing up as early adopters of the TNFD, signaling their intention to adopt the TNFD recommendations. Meanwhile, businesses transitioning to net-zero are seriously exploring nature-based solutions as a way to tackle carbon emissions and improve climate resilience.
THE This is the best time to bring businesses to the table, discuss the approach to a nature-friendly economy and solicit their views on BSAP 2.0. »
Dr Michael Lau, an ecologist and founder of the Hong Kong Wetlands Conservation Association, pointed out that underestimating Hong Kong’s biodiversity due to the SAR’s small size would be a mistake. “Hong Kong’s biodiversity is of global importance. There are endemic species of orchids, snakes, lizards, fireflies and other insects not found in other parts of the world. We are also home to globally critically endangered species, such as the big-headed tortoise of which Hong Kong is a stronghold. Bare hills and degraded wetlands are prime areas for restoring lush forests and productive wetlands “Nature-based solutions such as these can support rich biodiversity, improve the city’s climate resilience and also provide natural areas for people to enjoy.”
Marine Thomas, Associate Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Hong Kong said: “The BSAP sets government policy for years to come and is an opportunity to course-correct where necessary. For example, the protection of marine biodiversity is still far behind when compared to terrestrial biodiversity. From endangered shell reefs to mighty whales, Hong Kong is home to around 25% of all marine species found in China. Currently, only 5% of waters are protected, well below the global GBF target of 30%, while less than 20% of our marine ecological hotspots are protected. A review of marine conservation policies can help to ensure that our network of marine protected areas adequately fulfills its role in protecting and restoring our rich marine resources.”
Background information
All signatory countries to the Convention on Biological Diversity should have a Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP). Hong Kong SAR has a city-centered BSAP which contributes to China’s national plan. The formulation of the first The Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2016-21) was a highly inclusive process and benefited from expert input from many academics, NGOs and others. The BSAP has expired and needs to be updated via a new plan. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (AFCD) shared through a update to the E Advisory Councilenvironment At the beginning of September 2023, it is preparing to produce a next phase BSAP, with a view to making the plan public in 2025.
An informal steering committee was formed to guide a process by which The conservation community can review progress under the current BSAP and make suggestions for the next phase. This process is expected to last most of 2024 and result in a final report to the Office of Environment and Ecology and AFCD.
Reference
WWF (2022) Living Planet Report 2022 – Building a society that respects nature. Almond, REA, Grooten, M., Juffe Bignoli, D. and Petersen, T. (eds.). WWF, Gland, Switzerland
WEB LINK
Hong Kong Biodiversity Expert Steering Committee and Memberships
President – Christine Loh, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Vice President – Dr Michael Lau, Hong Kong Wetlands Conservation Association, University of Hong Kong
Members
Dr Bosco Chan, WWF-Hong Kong
Professor David Dudgeon, University of Hong Kong
Sophie Le Clue, ADM Capital Foundation
Lawrence Iu, civic exchange
Simon Ng, Business Environment Council
Stan Shea, BLOOM Hong Kong Association
Marine Thomas, The Nature Conservancy
Ming Chuan Woo, Hong Kong Birding Society
Coordinator
Dr. Andy Cornish, Cornerstone Strategies
Hashtag: #CornerstoneStrategies
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