Biodiversity - Civic Exchange

Hong Kong’s wide range of habitats and rich biodiversity provide a considerable number of ecological functions that benefit the city and the wider region.

Civic Exchange has raised the importance of balancing nature conservation with development since 2001. Our research focuses on applying rigorous ecological principles, benchmarking world-class practices for nature conservation, and valuing natural capital.

Engagement

Research Reports

Featured Report

Poll on Biodiversity Awareness

“This is our “First Baseline Study of the General Public’s Awareness and Attitudes Towards Biodiversity Conservation in Hong Kong.” This research project is funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme from the Central Policy Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

See Report

Engagement

News, Press Releases, Commentaries, Media Coverage, Stories, Submissions, Events

In the News

8 July 2026

2026 Hong Kong International Nature-based Solutions Action Week Convened Leaders to Advance High-Integrity NbS From Policy to Projects

Bastille Post: The 2026 Hong Kong International Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Action Week took place

Commentaries, In the News

5 May 2026

It’s not ecotourism if it risks damaging Hong Kong’s natural assets

SCMP: For decades, Hong Kong’s tourism success rested on a clear formula: shopping, dining and urban

Commentaries, In the News

27 March 2026

To stay competitive, Hong Kong must embrace nature-based solutions

SCMP: When people picture Hong Kong, they often imagine a relentless concrete jungle – a vertical ci

Announcements, Press Releases

26 February 2026

Civic Exchange Response to the HKSAR 2026-27 Budget

Download Press Release Here Civic Exchange Response to the HKSAR 2026–27 Budget From Framewor

In the News

29 September 2025

How Hong Kong teens are making an impact as Young Environment Ambassadors

SCMP Young Post: Valentin Shen Yuxin enjoys taking pictures of Hong Kong’s wildlife. He remembers th

Announcements, Press Releases

17 September 2025

Civic Exchange welcomes the 2025-2026 Policy Address: the Government must muster whole-of-society efforts for a green and sustainable Hong Kong

Download Press Release Here Hong Kong, 17 September 2025 – Civic Exchange, an independent pub

Announcements, Submissions

10 September 2025

Joint Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address

Seventeen groups in Hong Kong submitted the petition to the government, calling for measures to tack

Announcements, Submissions

19 August 2025

Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address

As an independent public policy think tank supporting Hong Kong’s sustainable development, we commen

Commentaries, In the News

14 August 2025

Dry June, wet July: climate whiplash is on Hong Kong’s doorstep

SCMP: Just weeks ago, Hongkongers were worrying about unusually dry weather. April, May and June thi

In the News

23 July 2025

Hong Kong must treasure the natural assets that help make it special

SCMP: Hong Kong is well-known as a busy and bustling metropolis, with crowded streets, congested roa

Announcements, Submissions

11 July 2025

Civic Exchange’s Submission on the Updating of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Civic Exchange submitted our formal recommendations as part of the public consultation on the updati

Press Releases

8 July 2025

Shaping BSAP 2.0 for Hong Kong — Think Tank Charts Path for Biodiversity Action

Download Press Release Here Hong Kong, 8 July 2025 – Today, Civic Exchange, The Hong Kong Ins

Commentaries, In the News

3 July 2025

Hong Kong must start planning for a warmer world

SCMP: As the world struggles to meet the Paris targets, it is time to adopt radical realism by accep

Commentaries, In the News

3 July 2025

Radical Realism: If Hong Kong wants to lead, it must plan for a world beyond 1.5°C

Orange News: As the world struggles to meet the Paris Agreement targets, it is time to adopt a ‘Radi

In the News

18 June 2025

Integrate Nature-Based Solutions For A Climate-Resilient Hong Kong, Urges New Report

Earth.org: Nature-based solutions present a viable, scalable, and cost-effective solution to mitigat

Press Releases

17 June 2025

Nature-Based Solutions Pave the Way for a Climate-Resilient and Biodiverse Hong Kong: New Report from Civic Exchange and The Nature Conservancy

Download Press Release Here Nature-based solutions (NbS) are critical to Hong Kong’s climate

Press Releases

26 May 2025

73% of Secondary School Development Plans Lack Climate and Biodiversity Education — Think Tank Proposes a Roadmap

Download Press Release Here Hong Kong, 26 May 2025 – Today, Civic Exchange releases ‘Learning

In the News

6 February 2025

200 Experts Convene at 2025 Nature-based Solutions for Climate Conference to Explore Nature’s Role in Tackling Climate Challenges

The Manila Times: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in partnership with Civic Exchange, successfully org

Commentaries, In the News

7 November 2024

Takeaways for Hong Kong from the hit-and-miss COP16 nature summit

SCMP: The UN Cop16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia, ended over the weekend in a mix of achieve

Announcements, Press Releases

16 October 2024

Civic Exchange welcomes the 2024-2025 Policy Address: the Government must understand the synergy between climate and nature for a climate-proofed Hong Kong

Download Press Release Here Hong Kong, 16 October 2024 – Civic Exchange, an independent publi

Commentaries, In the News

16 October 2024

A green economic transition in six steps

SCMP: Hong Kong stands at a pivotal moment in economic transformation. It is crucial that we seize t

Press Releases

14 October 2024

23 Groups Submit Climate Policy Recommendations to the Chief Executive Urging the Government Take A More Proactive Approach in Tackling the Climate Crisis

Download Press Release Here Hong Kong, 14 October 2024 – As the climate crisis intensifies, H

Announcements, Submissions

14 October 2024

Joint Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address

We, the undersigned environmental organisations come together with a shared commitment to address th

Announcements, Submissions

3 September 2024

Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address

The increasing severity of climate change underscores the importance of delivering on the Government

Commentaries, In the News

30 August 2024

Chief Executive Should Consider Accelerating Hong Kong’s Transition to a Sustainable, Green Economy in Upcoming Policy Address

Orange News: Today, as we stand at a pivotal moment in economic transformation, it is crucial to sei

Commentaries, In the News

23 August 2024

Hong Kong needs more, not fewer, cool green spaces

SCMP:Hong Kong’s approach to managing its green spaces, including parks and trees in areas facing ur

Commentaries, In the News

23 August 2024

Hidden Green Gems: Unlocking Hong Kong’s Urban Forests to Empower a Unique Travel Destination

Orange News: As cities around the world grapple with rapid urbanisation, Hong Kong’s approach to man

Commentaries, In the News

29 July 2024

Preventing climate change and biodiversity loss: two sides of the same coin?

Orange News: People have transformed the global landscape by clearing vegetation and reducing the ex

In the News

3 July 2024

Green groups object to filling San Tin fishponds over possible breaches of national conservation policies

The Standard: Environmental groups raised their objections to the Town Planning Board on Tuesday aga

Announcements, Submissions

26 June 2024

Joint Submission regarding the Development Proposal of San Tin Technopole

Ten groups from Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau submitted a joint petition letter to the Development

Announcements, Submissions

6 May 2024

Joint submission regarding latest Development Proposal of Lau Fau Shan/Tsim Bei Tsui/Pak Nai area

The natural shores of Deep Bay, from Mai Po to Ha Pak Nai, are not just ordinary landscapes. They ar

Press Releases

28 March 2024

Nature-based solutions offer significant climate and biodiversity benefits to Hong Kong: The Nature Conservancy and Civic Exchange

Download Press Release Here Nature-based solutions (NbS) are key to helping Hong Kong achieve

In the News

27 March 2024

Experts come together to support updating the city’s nature conservation masterplan

Taiwan News: The Hong Kong Government is currently formulating the next phase of the city’s Biodiver

Announcements, Submissions

26 February 2024

Joint submission regarding LC Paper No. CB(1)228/2024(03): Development Proposal of Lau Fau Shan/Tsim Bei Tsui/Pak Nai area

The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Civic Exchange and Green Power would like to share our concerns on the

Civic Exchange's Submission to Strategic Feasibility Study on the Development of Wetland Conservation Parks (WCPs) System under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy

Announcements, Submissions

22 January 2024

Civic Exchange’s Submission to Strategic Feasibility Study on the Development of Wetland Conservation Parks (WCPs) System under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy

Civic Exchange appreciates the government’s effort in conducting a strategic feasibility study on th

Commentaries, In the News

22 January 2024

How can Hong Kong seize economic opportunities while addressing climate change?

Orange News: 2023 was the hottest year in human history, the Hong Kong Observatory issued eight red

Announcements, Submissions

11 January 2024

Civic Exchange’s Recommendations for the HKSAR 2024-25 Budget

“Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”. Amidst economic challenges, the HKSAR Gover

Commentaries, In the News

27 November 2023

Why Hong Kong must adopt nature-based solutions in the Northern Metropolis

SCMP: The Northern Metropolis development plan faces many challenges in striking a balance between c

Press Releases

2 November 2023

Hong Kong’s Nature-based Solutions for Climate Forum sparks momentum and collaboration with representatives from government, related industries, and corporates

Download Press Release Here [HONG KONG, 2nd November 2023] – The Nature-Based Solutions for C

Announcements, In the News, Press Releases

25 October 2023

Our Response to the 2023 Policy Address: Co-create a Climate-Proof, Vibrant City for a Thriving Hong Kong

Hong Kong, 25 October 2023 – Independent public policy think tank, Civic Exchange welcomes the Hong

Announcements, Submissions

16 October 2023

Joint Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address

We, the undersigned environmental organisations come together with a shared commitment to address th

Press Releases

16 October 2023

Joint Groups Submit Policy Recommendations to CE on Climate Change

Download Press Release Here Hong Kong, 16 October 2023 – The recent black rain event undersco

Announcements, Submissions

5 September 2023

Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address

The dangers caused by Global Warming become ever more apparent each year making achievement of the G

Announcements, Submissions

5 September 2022

Policy Recommendations for the HKSAR Chief Executive’s 2022 Policy Address

We believe climate change is the most important issue Hong Kong faces – See Attachment 1. We theref

CEx recommendations for new administration

Announcements, Submissions

4 July 2022

Recommendations for the incoming administration on sustainable development policy

First and foremost, Civic Exchange would like to offer our congratulations on Mr. John Lee’s inaugur

In the News

17 June 2022

Biophilia Design and Biophilic Cities: Can Hong Kong Become One?

Earth.Org: Biophilia design is a new but steadily growing phenomenon around the world. In Hong Kong,

In the News

24 March 2022

Why we need climate justice: prevention isn’t enough when the poor are already suffering from a warming world

SCMP: Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous disruptions to ecosystems and leaving billio

In the News

24 March 2022

New IPCC report on adaptation is a wake-up call for climate-resilient policymaking

Orange News: Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous disruptions to ecosystems and leaving

Commentaries, In the News

28 February 2022

Building capacity to improve Hong Kong a livability and scale new heights in economic development

Orange News: The Finance secretary published the Hong Kong SAR Government’s 2022-2023 Budget. The bu

Announcements, Press Releases

23 February 2022

Civic Exchange Response to the HKSAR 2022-23 Budget

Hong Kong, 23 February 2022 – Independent public policy think tank Civic Exchange welcomes the Hong

Announcements, Submissions

26 January 2022

Civic Exchange Recommends the HKSAR for the 2022-23 Budget

2021 was Hong Kong’s warmest year on record. Climate change is starting to impact biodiversity and i

Announcements, Submissions

13 January 2020

Written submission to the Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs on promoting the use of electric vehicles

HONG KONG, 13 January 2020 — Hong Kong’s current transport network relies heavily (almost solely) on

In the News

12 December 2017

Conservation in Hong Kong

South China Morning Post: At the HK BioBlitz 2017, citizen scientists were enlisted to record and sa

Submissions

2 June 2017

Civic Exchange Supports Government Plan to Phase Out Ivory Trade

Civic Exchange supports the Hong Kong Government’s proposed three-step ban on the ivory trade and in

Commentaries

12 December 2014

Preserve for All

South China Morning Post: Hong Kong’s rich biodiversity should be treasured; protecting it should be

Commentaries

28 November 2014

SCMP: Falling Short

South China Morning Post: Some members of the public plan to file a judicial review against the Envi

Press Releases

30 September 2014

Civic Exchange’s New Report Highlights the Need for Sustainability of Wildlife Trade in Hong Kong

Civic Exchange launched a new publication “Taking from the Wild: Moving Towards Sustainability in Ho

Announcements, Submissions

17 June 2014

Written Submission on Government’s Consultation Document ‘Future Fuel Mix for Electricity Generation’

Civic Exchange submitted a document commenting on the scope of “Future Fuel Mix for Electricity Gene

Press Releases

20 December 2012

Press Release: Civic Exchange’s New Report Guides The Development Of An Effective Plan For Biodiversity Conservation In Hong Kong

Independent policy think tank Civic Exchange today launched a new publication Developing a Biodivers

Press Releases, Research Reports

31 August 2012

Press Release: Hong Kong Needs To Make Better Decisions About Nature Conservation – Civic Exchange Develops A 5-step Guide For Decision-makers To Select Ecological Sites For Protection

Public policy think tank Civic Exchange today launched a new publication Protecting Sites of Ecologi