Where nature meets the city: Hong Kong builds a greener future

Despite being one of the world's most densely populated cities, China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is home to remarkable natural diversity. About 40% of its land is designated as country parks and special areas, supporting wetlands, forests, coastlines, coral communities and distinctive geological landscapes.

In recent years, continued efforts in ecological conservation and green development have brought a series of new achievements.

One of the latest milestones came in marine conservation. At the end of 2025, Mirs Bay in northeastern Hong Kong was named an Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays by China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the first national recognition of its kind for the SAR.

Official information shows the bay meets the national Class I seawater standard and provides habitats for protected species including hard corals, seahorses, horseshoe crabs and white-bellied sea eagles.

The bay is also known for its striking coastal landscapes and rich geological heritage.

International recognition has also highlighted Hong Kong's conservation efforts across different ecosystems.

In 2025, Mai Po Nature Reserve received the Gold Star Wetland Centre Award from Wetland Link International for its long-standing work in wetland education, ecological monitoring and public engagement.

In 2026, Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark successfully passed UNESCO's four-year revalidation, retaining its global status. It also received a Best Practice Award from the Global Geoparks Network for promoting community engagement and cultural heritage.

Beyond conservation, Hong Kong has also continued to advance its low-carbon transition.

According to the Environmental Performance Report 2026, although extreme weather temporarily affected some coastal waters in 2025, the long-term improvement in marine water quality has been maintained, and Victoria Harbour met the standards required for the triathlon events of China's 15th National Games.

Meanwhile, the SAR has promoted green shipping, advanced initiatives in sustainable aviation fuel and further developed green finance, while pursuing a path that balances economic growth with environmental protection.

For more: Exploring Hong Kong's vibrant nature