IUCN Global Head for Nature-based Solutions Charles Karangwa Urges Hong Kong to Embrace “Symbiosis” Over “Balance” between Urban Development and Nature based Solutions

During a recent visit to Hong Kong, Charles Karangwa, the Global Head of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Centre, offered critical advice on how the city should navigate the tug-of-war between urban expansion and environmental preservation. His central message to Hong Kong is that development and nature require a fundamental symbiosis, rather than just a compromise.

Addressing the city’s approach to major projects like the Northern Metropolis and its surrounding wetlands, Karangwa challenged the traditional mindset of seeking a “balance” between nature and development. He argued that such a balance has never truly existed because nature provides far more than humans need. Instead, he advised Hong Kong to aim for “harmonious coexistence,” where natural ecology is treated as an indispensable and key factor in the city’s “Sustainability Equation”. He warned that marginalizing natural resources will only hinder urban progress, whereas integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) will improve the city’s livability, connect citizens with nature, and boost the market value of surrounding facilities.

Building Climate Resilience for a Coastal City

Karangwa emphasized that, as a coastal city facing increasingly severe and frequent typhoons, Hong Kong must strengthen its ecosystems to prevent natural disasters like floods and enhance overall climate resilience. This includes utilizing nature to mitigate the urban heat island effect. To achieve this, he advised the city to:

• Enhance Water Management: Improve the natural environment’s ability to store water, slow down water flow, and conserve water resources.
• Create Ecological Corridors: Establish “biodiversity sanctuaries” by planting small woodlands throughout urban areas and connecting them via ecological networks.
• Upgrade Urban Parks: Strengthen the ecological functions of existing parks by enriching the variety of native flora and fauna.
• Increase Vegetation: Utilize urban forestry and regenerative agriculture to expand the city’s vegetation cover and raise public awareness of biodiversity.

Expanding Marine Protection and Ecotourism

Looking beyond the land, Karangwa strongly advised Hong Kong to expand the scope of its marine protected areas. He highlighted the ocean as a vital opportunity for the city, calling for more funding, attention, and comprehensive protection measures. Additionally, he noted that local ecotourism should not be limited to simply allowing people to appreciate nature; it must be strategically designed to generate revenue that can sustain long-term conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts.

Establishing an NbS Hub and Avoiding “Greenwashing”

Karangwa is currently helping to plan the establishment of a city-level NbS hub in Hong Kong, aiming to turn the city into a model for the Greater Bay Area. He envisions this hub not only providing technical support and policy coordination but also acting as a financing tool to attract private investors, charities, and financial institutions to conservation projects.

However, Karangwa cautioned that as Hong Kong scales up its NbS initiatives, it must rely on strict international standards to avoid “greenwashing”. He stressed that a true Nature-based Solution must not harm the land or citizens’ rights. To ensure credibility and boost investor confidence, he recommended establishing clear guidelines based on the IUCN’s Global Standard, ensuring that all projects remain people-centered and ultimately benefit the public. Furthermore, he encouraged Hong Kong to promote the IUCN Green List certification program, noting that the city already has locations that qualify as strong candidates.

Ultimately, Karangwa reminded city planners that conservation is not merely about protecting the environment; its ultimate goal is to protect and enhance human adaptability and quality of life.