BEC Climate & Nature Theatre
Hong Kong’s Policy Landscape: Advancing Climate Action and Biodiversity for Sustainable Urban Development
11 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 12:20 – 13:10
Policy ambition is critical to driving action in addressing the interconnected environmental challenges we face today. In this session, we will discuss the current landscape of Hong Kong’s policy instruments and developments shaping Hong Kong’s ambition and action, such as the Climate Action Plan and Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The city’s upcoming planned mega-developments, including the Northern Metropolis and others, present a golden opportunity for Hong Kong to rethink urban planning, showcase successful policy implementation and lead as a world-class testing ground for sustainable development. Panellists including policymakers and experts will discuss urban solutions that integrate the climate-nature nexus while delivering sustainable and economic development for Hong Kong.
Learnings:
- Understand Hong Kong’s climate and nature policy landscape and the intersect of upcoming developments
- Gain insights on how integrating nature into policy can be used for effective local climate adaptation and resilience
- Share perspectives on current plans and future visions to showcase sustainable development for Hong Kong’s planned mega-developments
Post-event actions:
- Encourage stakeholder collaboration and a holistic approach to policymaking on climate and nature
- Understand how other stakeholders, such as the private sector, can be part of the conversation and drive sustainable action further
Speakers
Simon Chan
Assistant Director (Conservation)
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
Simon Chan
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong SAR Government
Assistant Director (Conservation)
Mr. CHAN Kin Fung, Simon is an Assistant Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, overseeing nature conservation work in Hong Kong. He has been working in the Department for over 28 years and was involved in a wide range of nature conservation work, including wildlife management and protection, habitat management, biodiversity conservation, ecological surveys and environmental impact assessment etc. He led the formulation and implementation of Hong Kong’s first city-level Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to step up biodiversity conservation and support sustainable development. He is now leading the work on updating the action plan and establishing a system of Wetland Conservation Parks under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy.
My Sustainability Goals for 2025:
- Enlisting broad-based support from the society to take forward key initiatives including establishment of Sham Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park and the next phase of Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Dr David Gallacher
Executive Director, Environmental & Ecological Planning
AECOM
Dr David Gallacher
AECOM
Executive Director, Environmental & Ecological Planning
Dr David Gallacher is an environmental specialist with AECOM, based primarily in Hong Kong, with experience across Shanghai, Delhi and Singapore. With an academic background in ecology and environmental management, he has contributed to hundreds of projects in 14 countries across the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, partnering with government departments, private developers and multilateral banks. His expertise spans environmental planning, impact assessment and monitoring, nature-based solution design, sustainable urban planning, water-sensitive urban design and ESG reporting. David is currently the chairperson of the Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment and a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals.
He has a particular interest in biodiversity design for urban environments and has contributed to award-winning projects such as the DaShaHe Urban River Restoration in Shenzhen and the Tung Chung Eco-shoreline in Hong Kong. David also gives lectures, seminars and training courses across Asia Pacific and contributes to AECOM publications on climate and restoration.
Supported by
Business Environment Council
Booth BEC6
Business Environment Council Limited (BEC) is an independent, charitable corporate membership organisation, established by the business sector in Hong Kong.
Since its establishment in 1992, BEC has been at the forefront of promoting environmental excellence by advocating the uptake of clean technologies and practices which reduce waste, conserve resources, prevent pollution and improve corporate environmental and social responsibility.
BEC offers sustainable solutions and professional services covering advisory, research, assessment, training and award programmes for government, business and the community, thus enabling environmental protection and contributing to the transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
