A new report by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with Civic Exchange outlines a roadmap for integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning in Hong Kong.

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Nature-based solutions present a viable, scalable, and cost-effective solution to mitigate climate change-related issues in Hong Kong, according to a new report that outlines a model for 21st-century cities in addressing global climate challenges.

Compiled by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in collaboration with Civic Exchange, the report outlines a roadmap for integrating nature-based solutions into urban planning in Hong Kong, a city described as having the potential to be a leader in climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

The study focuses on the Northern Metropolis, a large-scale development plan that encompasses Yuen Long and North Districts. The project, which aims to integrate the city with neighboring Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area, presents an “unprecedented opportunity” to embed nature-based solutions, said TNC.

Projects such as coastal wetland management, and mangrove and oyster reef restoration can enhance the area’s rich ecosystems and help preserve its function as natural infrastructure against flooding. Similarly, hillside reforestation and the expansion of urban green spaces can help tackle the growing issue of urban heat. A study carried out in Hong Kong found that trees can lower maximum temperatures by 6C, with an average cooling effect of 3C.

Despite evident potential, the Northern Metropolis development project has drawn criticism over its potential impact on wetland conservation and local villagers. Environmental organizations The Conservancy Association and Greenpeace last year found that 78 hectares – or 0.78 square kilometres – of protected wetland in Hong Kong’s New Territories have been destroyed since the government announced the development project in 2021.

Conservationists have long denounced a lack of comprehensive policies for conservation in Hong Kong. For TNC, a lack of understanding of the scale and value of nature, insufficient strategic planning, fragmented policies, and a lack of high-level institutional commitments to nature-based solutions are also part of the problem, and risk compromizing the outcome.

Nature-based solutions are actions aimed at utilizing, protecting, sustainably managing, and restoring natural ecosystems to address societal challenges and for the benefit of both people and nature. Examples include wetland restoration for flood control and water purification, tree planting for carbon sequestration and natural cooling but also green infrastructure like green roofs and permeable pavements.

“We are living through a silent crisis – one where the destruction of nature is often rationalized as the cost of progress, and where concrete and steel spread over landscapes as if nature were an afterthought. Yet, nature is not optional,” said Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “When we ignore nature, we create risk. When we restore them, we create value,” Lam added.

Speaking at the report’s launch event on Tuesday, Lam said that “we have made tremendous progress in our thinking,” referring to the “relatively new and undeveloped idea” of understanding the true value of nature.

Yet, nature is under unprecedented pressure. Human activities, habitat destruction, and climate change are pushing ecosystems to their limits, with approximately one million plant and animal species at the brink of extinction, many of which could disappear within decades.

Recommendations

“As the government updates its Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) and prepares a new Climate Action Plan, it must embed far greater urgency and ambition—particularly scaling up Nature-based Solutions,” said Kitty Tam, Lead Author of the report and Programme Lead at Civic Exchange.

In the short term, TNC recommends setting up a nature-based solutions task force and carrying out a pilot ecosystem restoration initiative, with both Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area responsible for monitoring progress. In the medium term, it suggests setting up a regional financing model that prioritizes both biodiversity credits and carbon markets, while in the long term, it recommends institutionalizing a nature-based solutions governance framework to guide policy and implementation of these projects in the wider region.

Featured image: Kyle Lam/hongkongfp.com.

The Nature Conservancy is calling on the public to voice their support for greater marine conservation in Hong Kong’s updated Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which is now open for public consultation for the next two months.

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The Nature Conservancy (TNC) on Thursday called on the Hong Kong government to prioritize marine conservation and oyster reef restoration.

Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is set to launch an updated Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) by the end of 2025. First formulated in 2016 and updated every five years, the document informs conservation of local biodiversity and sustainable development in the city.

In a press release published Thursday, the Nature Conservancy (TNC), the world’s leading international conservation non-profit organization, urged the AFCD to include robust measures to protect and restore vital coastal ecosystems – particularly oyster reefs – which are among the most endangered marine habitats globally.

Despite Hong Kong’s rich marine biodiversity – home to over 5,900 species, or more than one-quarter of all marine species recorded in mainland China – marine conservation efforts have lagged far behind those on land. Only about 6% of Hong Kong’s marine waters are protected, well below the global target of 30%. Many ecologically important habitats, including oyster reefs, remain outside of protected areas and face persistent threats, particularly in western waters.

Oyster and other shellfish reefs deliver vital benefits to people and the planet, including, fish production, regulating water quality and coastal protection. Yet, over the past two centuries, more than 85% of the world’s shellfish ecosystems have been lost. In Hong Kong, a city largely built with limestone derived from oyster shells, historical dredging, reclamation, and urban development have decimated once-abundant oyster habitats.

Any remaining oyster reefs today are not officially recognized as ecologically important, are unprotected and therefore highly vulnerable to ongoing harvesting, degradation and reclamation projects. This includes the proposed Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, which do not take shellfish reefs into account when conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment.

“Ecological restoration presents a huge opportunity for nature and people. However, ecological restoration is not without its challenges, that’s why it cannot replace nature conservation, and should never be used to justify the destruction or degradation of ecosystems,” said Marine Thomas, Associate Director of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy Hong Kong (TNC).

With the BSAP now under review, the public has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to advocate for stronger marine conservation policies and the health of Hong Kong waters, TNC said on Thursday. The organization will be submitting formal recommendations to AFCD and encouraged the public to take part by submitting their views before the deadline on July 11.

TNC’s Key Recommendations for the BSAP

To reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen coastal resilience, TNC recommends that the updated BSAP prioritize the following:

Expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to safeguard coastal ecosystems

• Scale up protection in line with the global “30×30” target by designating new MPAs and implementing other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).
• Prioritize the inclusion of biodiversity hotspots and underrepresented habitat types, notably areas such as South Lantau, Tung Chung, Port Shelter, and the coastal area of Deep Bay.

Initiate large-scale restoration of degraded oyster ecosystems to reverse biodiversity loss and improve water quality

The 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework recognises that conservation alone is not enough – restoration must be scaled up to reverse biodiversity loss. TNC and the University of Hong Kong have conducted territory-wide feasibility assessments, showing that oyster reef restoration is both scientifically sound and technically feasible. The key barrier is access to suitable seabed areas. To restore these vital ecosystems, we should:

• Include targeted restoration strategies in marine park management plans.
• Make seabed areas available for restoration efforts outside of protected areas.
• Launch reef restoration projects in at least 30% of suitable bays by 2030, to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and rebuild ecosystem resilience.

Strengthen legal protection for endangered species and ecosystems

• Establish and maintain an up-to-date list of locally threatened species and ecosystems to inform conservation priorities. To support this, TNC – together with the University of Hong Kong – is currently conducting an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems assessment for Hong Kong’s oyster reefs, providing the scientific foundation needed to formally recognise and protect these endangered habitats.
• Update and amend legislation to formalize the list and extend legal protection to currently unprotected but endangered species – including oysters and key marine fishes.
• Develop species-specific action plans to recover endangered ecosystems such as oyster reefs, through expanded protected areas and scaled restoration.

“This is a critical opportunity to share your voice in shaping the future of Hong Kong’s marine environment. We stand at a crossroads; if we act now, we can bring back these once abundant ecosystems, securing cleaner water, healthy fisheries, and stronger coastlines for future generations, or we continue to destroy our oceans, possibly to a point of no return,” said Thomas.

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To learn more about oyster reefs and why they matter to Hong Kong, TNC is featured in the documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, which explores the ecological, cultural, and historical significance of these lost ecosystems – and the opportunity to restore them. Watch the documentary at www.cityofshells.com.

Featured image: Derek Tang.

“As a global shipping hub, as a coastal city which is bound to be increasingly impacted by sea-level rise and as a beacon of biodiversity that hosts 26% of the total marine biodiversity of China, Hong Kong knows all too well that the ocean is not an issue like any other,” writes French consul general Christile Drulhe.

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By Christile Drulhe

Between June 9 and 13, 2025, in exactly one month’s time, France will co-host with Costa Rica the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). For this crucial event, around 100 Heads of State and Government as well as tens of thousands of researchers, scientists, economic actors, activists and citizens from around the world will converge in Nice. The aim is clear: protecting the ocean through tangible action. 

On June 7, Nice will also host the first-ever Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Summit, to bring together representatives of the cities and local authorities most affected by the rise in sea levels to bolster information-sharing and good practices in a collaborative manner.

The ocean is our common good. One in three people relies on the ocean for their livelihood, yet the ocean is in danger. The figures are worrying: more than eight million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, according to a study published in the journal Science. Moreover, more than a third of fish stocks suffer from overfishing, while ocean acidification, rising sea levels and the destruction of marine ecosystems gain pace, as direct consequences of climate change.

We must act now. Ten years after COP21 and the Paris Agreement, which established a binding global framework to mitigate climate change, the third UN Ocean Conference is a historic opportunity. The “Nice Ocean Agreements” can form an international pact for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. 

The protection of the ocean requires public and private funding, and support for a sustainable blue economy. To continue enjoying the incredible economic opportunities offered by the ocean, we need to make sure marine resources can regenerate. In Nice, several commitments will be announced for global trade, shipping, tourism and investment. 

Lastly, how can we protect something that we don’t – or insufficiently – know? 

We need to enhance our knowledge of the ocean and disseminate it more effectively, and Hong Kong scientists have a key role to play in this regard. Only a few days ago, after a successful French Science Festival on Ocean last October, we were pleased to co-organise with the Department of Ocean Science of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum a Blue Talk to raise awareness among the public on the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity. Speakers from the government, the civil society and scientific institutions as well as the public showed a deep interest in how we can take collective action to protect the ocean. It is all the more crucial as today, we are capable of mapping the surface of the Moon and Mars, but the depths of the ocean – which covers 70% of Earth’s surface – remain largely unknown. 

Hong Kong has an opportunity to actively take part in the dynamic of the Conference in Nice. As a global shipping hub, as a coastal city which is bound to be increasingly impacted by sea-level rise and as a beacon of biodiversity that hosts 26% of the total marine biodiversity of China, Hong Kong knows all too well that the ocean is not an issue like any other. In fact, Hong Kong can bring an invaluable contribution to these talks, through its vibrant civil society, in-depth scientific knowledge of local stakes, strong culture of philanthropy and relevant policies. 

The action plan on green maritime fuel bunkering adopted last year is an encouraging step to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime centre. This topic will be one of the key issues to be discussed at UNOC, with the contribution of participants from Hong Kong. For this reason, representatives of the Hong Kong government, scientists and companies have been invited to share their sense of commitment, expertise and insights in Nice.

The ocean is a universal bond, crucial for our future: it is everyone’s business. Together, we can make the third UN Ocean Conference a major turning point for every part of our planet.

Featured image: johnlsl/Flickr.

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About the author: Christile Drulhe is the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau

Earth.Org is pleased to invite you to the screening of the documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, on May 12 at The Hive Studios in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong.

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Earth.Org and The Nature Conservancy in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Hive Hong Kong, are proud to present you the screening of City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs.

This one-hour documentary by The Nature Conservancy, filmed over three years, chronicles over seven years of ongoing research and conservation work across Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.

Through historical research and scientific exploration, the documentary unveils how oysters shaped the Pearl River Delta’s development – diving deeper into the socio-cultural ties between oysters and coastal communities, the lime industry that fuelled early infrastructure across the region and the thriving marine ecosystems that once flourished beneath its waters.

Produced and directed by Mike Sakas, the film follows a team of researchers, restoration ecologists, citizen explorers and marine scientists as they search for remnant reefs, using historical maps, ecological surveys, and underwater expeditions to piece together clues about where these lost habitats might still perdure.

Their findings suggest that not all is lost, and if restoration efforts are implemented at scale, oyster reefs could flourish once more. And the prospect is huge – by filtering millions of liters of water daily, providing essential habitats for countless marine species, and acting as natural coastal barriers against storms and erosion, these restored ecosystems would significantly enhance the biodiversity and ocean health, bringing life back to our waters.

A 30-minute post-screening sharing and Q&A moderated by Earth.Org’s Editor-in-Chief Martina Igini featuring Associate Director of Conservation at TNC Hong Kong Marine Thomas and Executive Producer Adam Janikowski, PhD will follow. They will be sharing insights on reef restoration and the impact of these ecosystems on our environment.

RSVP here, seats limited.

Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 7–8.30 p.m.
Address: The Hive Studios, 8th floor, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Hong Kong (directions)

More about the topic: ‘The Oyster Odyssey’: A Journey to Restore Hong Kong’s Coastal Ecosystems 

There is an urgent need ahead of COP30 to bridge East and West, and women in climate are well-positioned to serve that role, according to the Pacific Women Climate Leaders Program, a new coalition launched in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

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A new initiative meant to advance women leadership in climate change in the Pacific Rim launched in Hong Kong on Tuesday. 

A collaboration between the California-China Climate Institute and the US government’s Women Green the Way (WGTW) initiative, the Pacific Women Climate Leaders Program empowers professionals from public and private sectors to take on greater roles in climate action, and also seeks to inspire young women to pursue careers in climate-related fields.

At the opening event, Asian women leaders in the climate and environmental space urged their counterparts to take action. “We women second guess ourselves. But climate action is urgent, and you should just charge in there,” said Debra Tan, Director and Head of Hong Kong-based think-tank China Water Risk.

One key focus of the new initiative will be to leverage climate progress already made in China and apply it overseas.

“Women play a big part in climate change because we tend to keep going. And China has the biggest projects in the world,” said Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), adding that Hong Kong is the place to “bridge the knowledge and intellectual concepts to the rest of the world.”

Tan added, “China added 500 terawatt hours of clean power in one year. If we do that with the rest of ASEAN, we could get to net zero within a few years. There are things that work and we just need to make that an international solution for the rest of the developing world.”

A series of events will follow the launch, including climate dialogues in China and the US later this year, participation in New York Climate Week in September, and a dedicated side event at COP30, scheduled to take place this November in Belém, Brazil. 

Fan Dai, Founding Director of the California-China Climate Institute, pointed out that while national climate policy in the US has changed under the new Trump administration, there is still ample opportunity for climate action across the Pacific. “It’s not true that the US is not doing what it should be. It’s now happening at the subnational level and corporate level,” Dai said.

According to the organizer, Jazreel Cheng, the program’s activities will emphasize cross-border partnerships and inclusive strategies to advance equitable climate solutions. Women bear the brunt of climate change impact worldwide, and the Asia Pacific region has the largest population vulnerable to climate risks such as sea level rise. 

Women Green the Way was created by the US Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau in 2023. The inaugural forum was held in Hong Kong in 2023, convening more than 80 climate leaders who have continued their advocacy after the forum.

Based in Hong Kong, WGTW is a female-focused financial professionals network spanning the Indo-Pacific region whose goal is to explore strategies to tackle challenges in sustainable financial markets.

Featured image: Pacific Climate Dialogue (supplied).

You might also like: Gender and Climate Justice: Why We Need More Women in Leadership in Hong Kong

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including the latest from the Trump administration and a new report on changing weather patterns globally.

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1. EPA’s Decision to Scrap $20bn in Climate Grants Based on ‘Inaccurate, Politicized’ Claims, Says Grantee

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has terminated grant agreements worth $20 billion issued by the Biden administration to finance clean energy and other climate-friendly projects.

The grant money was made available through the $27-billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created with former president Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. It was awarded in April 2024 to eight organizations, which were tasked with financing “tens of thousands” of projects ranging from home energy retrofitting to air pollution reduction.

Among the eight non-profits the money was awarded to was Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), an organization that focuses on community development investment. In a statement on Thursday, OFN said the EPA’s decision to freeze the fund impacts the “planned announcement” of over $228 million in initial grants to 26 organizations to fund housing, distributed energy, and transportation infrastructure initiatives across over 30 states.

OFN also said the EPA’s decision is based on “inaccurate and politicized claims” that are “baseless and undermine a critical effort to drive American energy independence, local resilience, and job creation in communities.”

Read the full article.

2. 36 Fossil Fuel Giants Responsible For Half of World’s CO2 Emissions: Report

The list, compiled by thinktank InfluenceMap, mostly comprises state-owned companies, which have emerged as the largest emitters by type, followed by investor-owned entities. Together, the 36 fossil fuel giants produced more than 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2023 – the reference year for the analysis.

Saudi Aramco topped the list at 1.839 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), accounting for 4.38% of global CO2 emissions. If Aramco was a country, it would be the fourth largest polluter in the world after China, the US, and India.

The Saudi company was closely followed by Coal India – the world’s largest government-owned coal producer – and CHN Energy, a Chinese state-owned mining and energy company. Their emissions accounted for 3.68% and 3.65% of global CO2 emissions, respectively. American ExxonMobil and Chevron as well as British Shell were also in the top 20, alongside several other Chinese companies.

Read the full article.

3. All But 7 Countries Faced Unsafe Air Pollution Levels in 2024: Report

Exception made for Australia, Estonia, New Zealand, Iceland, Grenada, Puerto Rico, and French Polynesia, all countries exceeded the annual level last year, Swiss air quality technology company IQAir said in its annual report published on Wednesday, with several regions recording dangerously high pollution levels.

Chad, a country in north-central Africa, recorded the highest annual PM2.5 concentration at 91.8µg/m3, much higher than the WHO’s recommended safe level of 5µg/m3. It was followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and India.

17% of cities included in the report met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline level, up from 9% in 2023. The Indian capital New Delhi remained the most polluted capital in the world, closely followed by Chad’s N’Djamena. Both cities had an annual average PM2.5 concentration of more than 90µg/m3.

The report was compiled with data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations and low-cost sensors worldwide, which are operated by research institutions, government agencies, schools, universities, non-profit organizations, private companies, and citizen scientists, according to IQAir.

Read the full article.

4. Hong Kong Weather Flipping From Wet to Dry Extremes As Climate Change Throws Water Cycle ‘Out of Balance’

Climate change is making once-wet cities like Hong Kong exponentially drier, according to new research on the climate change-driven shifts of weather patterns in urban areas around the world.

The academic study, commissioned by non-profit WaterAid, looked at the world’s top 100 most-populated cities. It concluded that 44% of urban centers worldwide were getting drier. Hong Kong, along with Egypt’s capital Cairo, Spain’s capital Madrid, and the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, topped the list of climate hazard flip cities facing increasing dry extremes.

The shift in weather patterns also sees cities such as Sri Lanka’s Colombo, Mumbai in India and Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur flip from dry to wet. According to the report’s findings, which are based on the analysis of four decades of wetting and drying trends, 52% of the world’s most populated cities are getting wetter.

13% of these – including several Indian and Pakistani cities, as well as Colombia’s capital Bogotá and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam – are experiencing a flip from extreme dry to extremely wet.

Read the full article.

5. US Exits Board of Hard-Fought Loss and Damage Fund, Further Distancing Itself From Global Climate Commitments

A letter to fund co-chair Jean-Christophe Donnellier and seen by Reuters said both the US Board Member and the US Alternate Board Member will step down “effective immediately.” It was not clear from the letter whether this also meant the country was pulling out entirely from the fund, which is hosted by the World Bank, whose president is appointed by the US.

The “loss and damage” fund was instituted at the COP27 summit in 2022, marking a huge win for developing countries seeking justice for the damage incurring from a crisis they did not create. Nearly 200 countries, including the US, approved a framework for the fund at COP28 a year later.

As of 23 January 2025, 27 countries and regions have pledged a total of US$741 million to the fund, according to UN figures. $17.5 million came from the US.

Separately, the US last week voted against a UN resolution on creating an International Day of Peaceful Coexistence and reaffirming the 2030 Agenda, a global framework to achieve sustainable development and promote piece and prosperity around the world. It was the only country to reject the resolution along with Israel and Argentina.

Read the full article.

Hong Kong, Cairo, Madrid, Riyadh, and Jeddah topped the list of cities facing a flip from extremely wet to extremely dry conditions, a new report commissioned by non-profit WaterAid has found.

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Climate change is making once-wet cities like Hong Kong exponentially drier, according to new research on the climate change-driven shifts of weather patterns in urban areas around the world.

The academic study, commissioned by non-profit WaterAid, looked at the world’s top 100 most-populated cities and 12 other cities. It concluded that 44% of urban centers worldwide were getting drier. Hong Kong, along with Egypt’s capital Cairo, Spain’s capital Madrid, and the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, topped the list of cities facing increasing dry extremes.

Researchers said Hong Kong “is not only drying but also experiencing a flip in climate hazards [from extreme wet] to more extreme dry conditions,” a phenomenon they identified in 7% of all cities analyzed.

The shift is due to increased moisture evaporation triggered by warmer temperatures, the report said. The world has just recorded its hottest year in history and the first one with temperatures rising to more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, wrapping up a decade of unprecedented heat globally fuelled by human activities.

The shift in weather patterns also sees cities such as Sri Lanka’s Colombo, Mumbai in India and Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur flip from dry to wet. According to the report’s findings, which are based on the analysis of four decades of wetting and drying trends, 52% of the world’s most populated cities are getting wetter.

13% of these – including several Indian and Pakistani cities, as well as Colombia’s capital Bogotá and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam – are experiencing a flip from extreme dry to extremely wet.

South and Southeast Asia in particular emerged as a hotspot with a strong wetting trend, vulnerable to increased wet and extreme wet climate that increases the likelihood of extreme flooding, putting millions of livelihoods at risk. A United Nations report last year found that Asia was the hardest-hit continent by climate change in 2023, with floods and storms comprising over 80% of all weather hazards that year.

15% of big urban areas are experiencing an intensification of both droughts and floods, a phenomenon the report calls “climate whiplash.” Weather-related disasters like these have increased by a factor of five over the past 50 years, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

Record-Breaking Year

2024 was Hong Kong’s hottest year since at least 1884, when authorities first began tracking temperature trends.

The city saw a total of 35 record-breaking high temperature events. These included the highest absolute maximum temperature on record for March at 31.5C, the warmest April on record with temperatures significantly above normal, the warmest first half-year on record, and the highest number of hot nights for August.

These high temperatures were attributed to various factors like warmer sea surface temperatures, stronger southerly flows, and weaker monsoon patterns, the city’s Observatory said in January.

The total annual rainfall in 2024 was 2,309.7 millimetres (mm), some 5% below the 1991-2020 normal of 2,431.2 millimetres, according to the Observatory.

The first two months of 2025 were also drier than usual in the city. 4.2mm of rainfall were recorded in January, only about 13% of the normal of 33.2mm for the month, while the total rainfall recorded in February was 26.1mm, about 33% below the normal of 38.9 millimetres.

The trend is set to continue this spring, which the Observatory forecasts to be warmer and drier than usual.

Featured image: Kyle Lam/hongkongfp.com

Last year, the city saw 35 record-breaking high temperature events, including the highest absolute maximum temperature for March, the warmest April on record, the warmest first half-year on record, and the highest number of hot nights for August.

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In line with the global trend, Hong Kong just recorded its hottest year since at least 1884, when the city first began tracking temperature trends.

The annual mean temperature stood at 24.8C, 1.3 degrees above the 1991-2020 normal, according to the Hong Kong Observatory’s yearly climate report published Monday. The annual mean minimum temperature and annual mean maximum temperature were respectively the highest and second highest on record.

September 17 saw the highest daily temperature of the year at 35.7C, one of the eighth highest on record, the Observatory said.

35 Temperature Records

In 2024, Hong Kong saw a total of 35 record-breaking high temperature events. These included the highest absolute maximum temperature on record for March at 31.5C, the warmest April on record with temperatures significantly above normal, the warmest first half-year on record, and the highest number of hot nights for August.

A weaker northeast monsoon also made October warmer than any other October on record, and the warmest autumn from September to November, according to Monday’s report.

These high temperatures were attributed to various factors like warmer sea surface temperatures, stronger southerly flows, and weaker monsoon patterns, according to the city’s Observatory.

Global sea surface temperatures remained at record highs from January to June last year. In the latter half of 2024, the temperatures were the second-warmest on record for that time of year, after 2023.

Hotter Days, Hotter Nights

“There were 52 Very Hot Days, 50 Hot Nights and two Extremely Hot Days in Hong Kong in 2024, respectively ranking one of the third highest, one of the fourth highest and one of the eighth highest on record,” the Observatory said on Monday.

For people living in places like Hong Kong, summer heat is nothing new. In the city, temperatures soar above 30C (86F) for most part of the year, which feel even higher when coupled with high humidity levels. Yet, heat-related illnesses here are on the rise.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Hong Kong and published last year found that heatwaves in the city over the past decade, 18 in total, may have contributed to 1,677 excess deaths.

As of 2022, Hong Kong had already warmed 1.7C compared to pre industrial times and is on track for 3.4C of warming by the end of the century, according to independent climate research organization Berkley Earth.

The increase in extreme heat is a direct result of our warming planet, which is driven by greenhouse gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere. This raises Earth’s surface temperature, leading to longer and hotter heatwaves.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures without sufficient rest or cooling breaks can result in heat exhaustion – with symptoms including heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness – and heatstroke – which is marked by a high body temperature, confusion, and loss of consciousness. It can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.

But in a rapidly warming world, another issue is emerging: nighttime heat.

High nighttime temperatures are detrimental to human health, as they prevent the body from recovering from daytime heat. This not only disrupts sleep, which can negatively affect physical and mental health, cognitive function, and life expectancy, but it also increases the risk of illness and mortality.

A 2020 study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) found that five consecutive “hot nights,” defined as when temperatures rise above 28C (82F), would raise the risk of death by 6.66%.

With climate change, nights are not just getting warmer; they are also heating up faster than days in many parts of the world. According to a Climate Central analysis published last year, between 2014 and 2023, 2.4 billion people experienced an average of at least two additional weeks per year where nighttime temperatures exceeded 25C. Over 1 billion people experienced an average of at least two additional weeks per year of nights above 20C and 18C.

Supercharged Typhoons

29 tropical cyclones developed over the western North Pacific and the South China Sea in 2024, in line with the long-term average of about 30, and 13 of them reached typhoon intensity.

Despite issuing tropical cyclone warning signals on seven occasions, the events resulted in little to no damage in Hong Kong, contrary to places like the Philippines, Taiwan, and China.

Following a period of low tropical cyclone activity in the South China Sea in August, tropical cyclone Yagi emerged in the northern region on September 3 after wreaking havoc in the Philippines, where it killed 21 people.

Within 24 hours of its appearance, Yagi rapidly intensified from a severe tropical storm to a super typhoon. It reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 230 kilometers per hour (142 miles per hour) on September 6, marking it as the second most potent tropical cyclone in the South China Sea since 1950.

Supercharged by warmer ocean waters, tropical storms are intensifying more rapidly globally, with winds increasing by 56 km/h (about 35 miles per hour) in a 24-hour period. Rapid intensification leaves less time for authorities to issue warning systems, putting coastal communities in great danger.

Yagi’s death toll surpassed 500 people across Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, with Vietnam and southern China bearing the brunt.

More on the topic: What Are Tropical Cyclones? Hurricanes and Typhoons, And Their Link to Climate Change, Explained

In November, Hong Kong experienced three back-to-back tropical cyclones – Yinxing, Toraji, and Man-yi – an unusual occurrence so late in the typhoon season. This led to the issuance of tropical cyclone warning signals for all three episodes, a first for November since 1946. Yinxing brought strong winds, prompting the city’s latest No. 8 Gale or Storm Signal since 1946.

Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. The likelihood of storms reaching major hurricane or typhoon status has also increased significantly over the past decades.

Featured image: Kyle Lam/hongkongfp.com

A total of 2,503 microplastics pieces were found in 85% of the 100 samples collected in several countryside areas across Hong Kong between June and August 2022.

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It’s no secret that Hong Kong faces a plastic problem. However, researchers have now discovered evidence that plastic pollution has extended beyond the city, affecting the countryside and the wildlife that inhabits it.

A new study published Monday revealed the presence of microplastics in the feces of five wild mammals – buffalo, boar, macaque, porcupine, and cattle – with the latter having the highest concentration. Greenpeace collaborated with research teams from universities in Hong Kong and Taipei to collect 100 samples of feces in Hong Kong’s countryside between June and August 2022. They found a total of 2,503 microplastics pieces in 85% of the 100 samples collected.

Microplastics are fragments of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters and larger than 1 micron (one thousandth of a millimetre) in length. Common examples include materials such as glitter, microbeads and fragments from larger pieces of plastic debris, as well as from items of clothing. 

According to the United Nations, more than 51 trillion microplastic particles litter the world’s seas, a quantity that outnumbers the stars in our galaxy by 500 times. Since microplastics became a pressing topic among environmental researchers at the beginning of the 21st century, these tiny, toxic particles of plastic have been thoroughly studied. Researchers have found them pretty much everywhere, from inside marine creatures to food and water as well as, not surprisingly, even in human blood.

The Greenpeace investigation revealed that microplastics commonly found in single-use plastic packaging, takeaway containers, and disposable utensils – also known as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) – were the predominant types mammals ingested.

“The findings of this study are important, proving that wild animals can ingest microplastics in the countryside, where it is away from urban areas and human activities,” said Christelle Not, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hong Kong.

Previous Greenpeace research conducted in 2021 confirmed the presence of microplastics in many of Hong Kong’s countryside streams, though Monday’s study marks the first evidence of microplastics reaching wild animals.

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues affecting Hong Kong. In 2022, plastic made up 21% of the territory’s municipal solid waste, second only to food waste. The city’s beaches and waterways are drowning in plastic, and microplastic levels in the sea are 40% higher than the global average.

The lack of an efficient recycling infrastructure is a major contributing factor in the plastic crisis in Hong Kong. In 2022, less than 13% of Hong Kong’s nearly one million tonnes of plastic waste was recycled. Hong Kong’s consumerism and spending cultures are also considered among the unhealthiest in the world. And with excessive consumption comes excessive waste. According to Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Hongkongers throw away an average of 1.5 kilograms per person per day.

More on the topic: Investigation Reveals Plastic in Hong Kong Recycling Bins Sent to Landfills

In April, the government implemented the first phase of a plastic ban, which targets all Expanded Polystyrene tableware, as well as plastic straws, stirrers, forks, knifes, spoons and plates. However, environmental groups worry that several exceptions and the lack of a clear timeline for the implementation of the second phase might compromise the ban’s effectiveness.

“Microplastics are difficult to clean up, leading to their accumulation in the environment and increasing the risk of contaminating the food chain. The government should not allow corporates to produce plastic without proper regulation; otherwise, the entire ecosystem will struggle to escape the plastic pollution,” said Leanne Tam, a Greenpeace Campaigner.

The NGO is calling on the government and corporates to “take the lead” in developing effective plastic reduction policies both on a local level – such as developing a reusable tableware rental system – and globally, by supporting the implementation of a Global Plastics Treaty.

In March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted Resolution 5/14, agreeing to adopt a legally binding Treaty by the end of 2024. Since then, four of five Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) sessions have been held with the last one scheduled to take place in Busan, South Korea, this November.

The most recent session, held in April in Ottawa, Canada, saw the completion of some work, including developing a list of products and chemicals of concern, and standard design requirements to improve recycling capabilities. However, despite calls by several nations, talks did not address the need to reduce production of primary plastic polymers (new plastics). This was likely due to the influence of nearly 200 fossil fuel lobbyists present at the talks, a 37% increase from the third meeting. 

“The world is burning, and member states are wasting time and opportunity. We saw some progress… However, compromises were made on the outcome which disregarded plastic production cuts, further distancing us from reaching a treaty that science requires, and justice demands,” Graham Forbes, Greenpeace Head of Delegation to the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations and Global Plastics Campaign Lead at Greenpeace USA, said in April.

Humans now generate nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, 60% of which end up in our natural environment. If that wasn’t enough, plastic production is expected to increase from today’s 300 million metric tonnes to 33 billion metric tonnes per year by 2050.

Featured image: JJ Tsui/Greenpeace East Asia.

Super Typhoon Yagi is currently the equivalent of a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane, with sustained wind speeds of 210 km/h (130 mph).

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Hong Kong and China’s southern provinces and cities on Thursday braced for the arrival of Super Typhoon Yagi, which is expected to bring strong winds and torrential rainfall to the region today and tomorrow.

Yagi intensified into a Super Typhoon on Wednesday night local time and is currently the equivalent of a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane, with sustained wind speeds of 210 km/h (130 mph). It is expected to make a rare landfall as a super typhoon in Hainan in the evening of Friday. Between 1949 and 2023, of the 106 typhoons which made landfall in Hainan, only 9 were classified as super typhoons.

Typhoon Yagi formed as a tropical storm on Sunday in the western Philippine Sea. It crossed the islands, dumping 25cm (10 inches) of rain on the northern city of Luzon before moving westward toward the South China Sea.

Yagi’s torrential rainfall led to floods and landslides in the northern part of the archipelago, killing at least 13 people.

Typhoon Classification

Hong Kong, China, Japan and the Philippines classify tropical cyclones into six categories, albeit with small variations. Hong Kong, for example, refers to them simply as “Typhoons” when wind speed does not exceed 149 km/h (92.6 mph), after which they become “Severe Typhoons” (TS). Only when the speed is 185 km/h or above (>115 mph), they take the name of “Super Typhoons” (SuperT).

Hong Kong also relies on a set of numeric warming signals to indicate the threat or effects of a typhoon, with the lowest level (T1 or “standby signal”) issued when a tropical cyclone approaches within 800 kilometres (497 miles) of the territory and poses a threat of deteriorating conditions. According to the strong winds range, the warning can increase to a T3 (Strong Wind), T8 (Gale or Storm), T9 (Increasing Gale or Storm) and T10 (Hurricane).

In its latest bulletin, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) said the “mature storm” will skirt around 300 kilometres to the southwest of the territory tonight and tomorrow morning and that it “will consider” issuing the Gale or Storm Signal, No. 8 between 4pm and 7pm local time on Thursday.

Climate Crisis

Typhoons – also known as hurricanes in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific – are a rather common weather phenomenon, though there has been a significant increase in their intensity in recent decades, which scientific observations link to anthropogenic climate change. 

These abnormal trends are attributed largely to the increased ocean temperatures. As ocean surfaces warm, so does the air above it, causing water to be carried up to high altitudes to form clouds, while leaving a low pressure zone beneath causing more air to rush in. As these systems build up, thunderstorms are formed. In the absence of strong winds to disrupt it, the system can intensify into a typhoon.

While the number of typhoons is not necessarily increasing, those that do form are becoming more destructive – generating heavier rain and a higher storm surge.

More on the topic: What Are Tropical Cyclones? Hurricanes and Typhoons, And Their Link to Climate Change, Explained

The world’s seas have been exceptionally warm for more than a year. The average sea surface temperature last month reached 20.88C, the second-highest value on record and only 0.01C shy of the value recorded in July 2023. This put an end to a 15-month period of record-breaking sea surface temperatures. The latest temperature trends makes it “increasingly likely” that 2024 will be the warmest year yet, beating last year, according to the EU weather agency Copernicus.

“Fossil fuel-driven warming is ushering in a new era of bigger, deadlier typhoons,” said Ben Clarke, Researcher at the London Imperial College’s Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. Clarke was part of a team of researchers at World Weather Attribution (WWA) that last month published a study on Typhoon Gaemi, which battered the Philippines, Taiwan and eastern China in July. They found that the typhoon, which left more than 100 people dead, was intensified by fossil fuel-driven global warming.

Gaemi saw sustained winds peak at 233 km/h (145 mph), the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane. According to the attribution analysis, the winds were about 9 mph (14 km/h) or 7% more intense due to human-made climate change.

Featured image: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.