Nature-Positive Development: How Can Cities Integrate Biodiversity, Climate Resilience and Urban Growth?

As a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and sustainability practitioner, I lead the development and scaling of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address climate resilience across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area in my role as Project Manager at The Nature Conservancy. My work focuses on shaping how NbS is integrated into policy, planning, and investment decisions, working at the intersection of government, finance, and on-the-ground implementation.

I specialise in translating science into action at scale—designing and delivering flagship NbS pilots, influencing regional strategies, and convening cross-sector partnerships to drive adoption. This includes working closely with government agencies, local communities, and international partners to embed NbS into real-world projects with measurable biodiversity and climate outcomes.

My strengths lie in strategic positioning, stakeholder alignment, and execution under complexity, with a strong focus on moving from concept to implementation. I am particularly passionate about advancing NbS financing and delivery models, and enabling ecosystems where public, private, and community actors can collaborate effectively to scale impact.

My Sustainability Goals for 2026:

1. Mainstream nature-based solutions in Hong Kong’s climate resilience and development projects

Success looks like: More hectares of wetlands, rivers, and coastal habitats restored; increased public and private investment in NbS; and clear integration of NbS into government planning, infrastructure, and development projects.

2. Foster stronger public-private-community partnerships for sustainability action

Success looks like: More cross-sector partnerships established, greater co-investment in sustainability initiatives, and more collaborative projects progressing from planning to implementation.

3. Build a culture of stewardship where more people actively care for and restore nature

Success looks like: Higher participation in conservation and restoration activities, more community-led stewardship programs, and stronger public awareness and support for nature-positive solutions.

Patrick is responsible for formulating and executing the Sustainable Development 2030 Strategy for Swire Properties’ global operations across Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and U.S.A. portfolios. Through engaging stakeholders, setting science-based targets and developing action plans, he leads a team to manage the full spectrum of the Company’s environmental, social and economic impact and to integrate ESG considerations into every facet of the Company’s business.

My Sustainability Goals for 2026: 

• Guided by the Sustainable Development 2030 Strategy, continue to pioneer sustainable business practices, adopt innovative technologies, and actively share best practices with the business community.
• Engage actively with stakeholders in HK and the broader region to foster partnerships and develop collective solutions for the net-zero and nature-positive transitions.