Workshop A

Designing with Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Towards an Ecological and Healthy City

10 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 12:00 – 13:15

Full Programme
Workshop A

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as a powerful opportunity to transform how cities and businesses respond to climate change and biodiversity loss. Increasingly recognized by governments, private sector, and professionals, NbS are being integrated into projects that deliver both ecological and social value.

This workshop will explore the multifaceted role of NbS — not only as an environmental strategy, but as a driver of innovation, resilience, and value creation to address societal challenges. Through interactive discussions, participants will discover practical approaches to embedding NbS in design and planning, uncover its potential to strengthen ESG performance and green finance, and mainstreaming NbS across disciplines and engaging the public. By positioning NbS as a catalyst for biodiversity and human well-being in cities, this workshop empowers participants to champion nature-driven approaches that accelerate Hong Kong’s sustainable development and inspire broader community participation.

Session Learnings:

  • Understand key concepts, definitions and standards of NbS.
  • Explore practical approaches and case studies to integrating NbS into design and planning to enhance biodiversity and improve human well-being in development projects.
  • Discover the benefits of NbS in advancing ESG goals and green finance, highlighting its role in Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Explore strategies and actionable pathways for mainstreaming NbS across interdisciplinary professions and engaging the wider public.

Post-Event Actions:

  •  Conduct self-assessment to evaluate whether projects or investments meet the criteria of NbS standards.
  • Identify opportunities for collaboration with landscape architects and partnering organizations to strengthen NbS for diverse industries and sectors.
  • Promote awareness and mainstream NbS through policy development, practical implementation, and education initiatives.

Speakers

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 2026:

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.

Speaking at 2026 sessions:

Day 1

Designing with Nature-based Solutions (NbS): Towards an Ecological and Healthy City

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