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ANNUAL REVIEW 2020 © Martin Harvey Contents 02 EDWARD M. HO 04 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Chairman Message 05 FINANCIALS 06 OUR THANKS In September, Chinese president Xi Jinping announced that put our lives on pause and started to reconnect with each 08 CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP China would be carbon neutral by 2060. In Carrie Lam’s 2020 other and our city’s natural environments. This is our 10 OUR WILDLIFE WORK policy address, the government announced an chance to address our Ecological Footprint and restore and 14 OUR WETLANDS WORK even more stringent target of being carbon neutral by 2050. revitalise our city’s natural places. The magnitude of our 18 OUR OCEANS WORK This is a game changer. climate and environmental crisis requires us to respond at 22 GREEN CITIES, GREEN BUSINESS scale, but we can’t achieve it alone. It needs the support of We look forward to getting more details on the “proactive 26 OUR PEOPLE all of you. strategies and measures to reduce carbon emissions” that the 28 ONE PLANET EDUCATION government plans to implement and are now engaging with Over the past year, we undertook a review with academics them on this issue ahead of the update to Hong Kong’s climate on what it will take to restore our oceans with an emergency action plan in the middle of next year. recovery plan and coordinated marine spatial planning across the Greater Bay Area. We need to meet national It is up to all of us to work together to take the actions that are targets in marine protected areas. With this commitment necessary to make Hong Kong a liveable city that embraces our latest scientific report on watershed and wetland innovation, and initiatives to lower our Ecological Footprint. areas provides a blueprint of what needs to be done across We need to change the way we live in our consumption of terrestrial areas in Lantau today and across seven priority food and clothing, and have a bold vision for transportation conservation areas in Hong Kong waters. We want to see and energy solutions. We need to recognise the impact we the adoption of climate resilient planning for wetlands and are having on our planet’s biodiversity and take the steps communities at risk from the climate crisis. necessary to restore habitats and species. We need a game Regeneration from ridge to reef is our HK$40 million changing “new deal for nature and people from ridge to reef”. program to help restore habitats, species and rejuvenate This can be a defining moment for Hong Kong. communities. We cannot do this alone and need your Today, we are excited to share with you WWF-Hong support to realise our ambition. Kong’s bold vision to regenerate our local biodiversity – Together, let’s future-proof our world. Hoi Ha Wan was among the first batch of marine ANNUAL REVIEW FY20 / ABOUT LIFE the largest and most innovative wildlife, landscape and protected areas designated in Hong Kong in 1996 © WWF-Hong Kong. All rights reserved oceans regeneration program in our 40 year history. and is home to WWF’s marine life centre. We urge Publisher: WWF-Hong Kong the Hong Kong government to increase Marine Editor: Saul Symonds The plan rose from the COVID-19 crisis when we all Protected Areas (MPA) to cover 30% of Hong Design: Choyo Kwok Kong waters by 2030, with no-take reserves as a Edward M. Ho foundation. Only 5% of Hong Kong’s waters are Any reproduction in full or in part must mention the title Chairman, Executive Council of WWF-Hong Kong designated or planned to be established as MPAs and credit the above publisher as the copyright owner. This by 2023 is not enough. publication is printed on FSC-certified paper, containing recycled materials and using vegetable oil-based inks. Annual Review / 1 The Mai Po upgrade project is funded An upgrade planned to the existing footpath that by a HK$347.86 million grant from the connects Mai Po’s various facilities with the construction Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. of a wooden boardwalk includes widening to universal The grant covers elements that make it accessibility standards. The new boardwalk design will possible for the Mai Po Community to be a minimum width of 1.65 metres with a safety lip for have the facilities needed by students, wheelchairs. There will be in total six education areas with teachers, and those interested in signage at points along the 1 km route, and seven passing wetlands research and wetlands training. bays for wheelchair users. Edward M. Ho Mai Po Nature Reserve serves as a Bird hides are one of the most important elements of Mai Chairman, benchmark for the sustainable use of Po Nature Reserve, allowing visitors to observe the globally Executive Council of WWF-Hong Kong (2014-2020) wetlands and a hub of biodiversity with endangered and migratory birds that pass through the over 2,050 recorded species. This project reserve without causing disturbance. The two proposed The end of 2020 sees the completion Edward has been with WWF since 2012 aligns with the local, regional and global tower hides will provide opportunities for our Mai Po sustainability goals undertaken as part of Edward Ho’s tenure as Chairman of as a member of the Finance Committee community to observe the reserve’s bird community and of a mission to create a New Deal for Connect with Nature. WWF-Hong Kong after serving as head and Development Committee, bringing Nature and People. of Hong Kong’s largest environmental his financial expertise and commercial NGO for the past six years. experience to the non-profit community The Peter Scott rebuild will enhance and will continue doing so in his capacity capacity for wetland training and Since assuming the helm in 2014, as member of the Executive Council. research, providing space for community Edward has steered the organisation’s forums and workshops. This will bring development focus on conservation Edward hands over the helm to incoming groups together to tackle threats to education, spearheading the Mai Po Chairman Daniel Bradshaw with WWF biodiversity and the issues surrounding Infrastructure Upgrade Project that will in solid footing. We want to extend our the protection of Deep Bay wetlands and convert Mai Po Nature Reserve into a deepest gratitude for Edward’s dedication the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

21st century classroom. and passion for conservation and WWF Education has been a cornerstone of over the years and look forward to his The project will unveil a new Peter Scott Mai Po since the early days and the continued contribution to the future Field Studies that will be accessible to all refurbishment of the Mai Po Education growth of the organisation. Centre will provide enhanced exhibition visitors, including those with disabilities, and interactive learning areas for and enhance capacity for wetlands students, members or the public and training and research, providing space citizen scientists. for community forums and workshops.

Visit our project website to learn more Annual Review / 2 *Reference only Annual Review / 3 As a leading non-profit conservation WWF-Hong Kong understands that The following highlights provide an analysis of the Annual Report and Accounts of WWF-Hong Kong for the year organization, WWF-Hong Kong voluntary disclosure is essential in ended 30 June 2020. The Annual Report and Accounts have been audited by BDO Limited and are prepared in commands a high degree of public trust establishing public confidence. To FINANCIALS accordance with the Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards. due to our professionalism, integrity ensure that our financial resources are and transparency. spent appropriately, we are committed to providing clear, accurate and WWF-Hong Kong’s governing body is OUR INCOME DELIVERING IMPACT AND RESULTS transparent financial information for the Executive Council. Its members, WWF-Hong Kong’s income increased by 1.7% to HK$123.1 million in FY20. Support Total expenditure for FY20 amounted to HK$124.5 million. Conservation, and community public scrutiny. Our financial accounts, professionals from conservation, from individual donations which continue to be the largest income source, grew at 4.4%, and schools’ education, remained our major investments in FY20, represented 69% of prepared in accordance with the Hong scientific, education and business and representing 60% of the total income for FY20. Corporate donations, including the total expenditure. We continued to strive to achieve strong conservation impact, Kong Financial Reporting Standards, fields, are strongly committed to nature income from our Corporate Membership Programme, corporate partnership on plastics our conservation programmes were delivered in areas including Mai Po and wetlands, are independently audited by BDO conservation. They serve on a voluntary campaigns, and a service fee from a financial institution’s e-statement initiative. Trust oceans, wildlife, local biodiversity and sustainability, green cities, and community Limited and published yearly in our basis, providing advice from their and foundation income included the second year of Making Zero Impact Fashionable engagement and education. We contributed 5% of the total expenditure to the WWF annual report. professional perspectives, approving initiative, the Sea For Future project, and public sector grants, such as the Sea Without network to deliver global objectives. strategic direction, conservation Litter. Other income mainly represented support for our centre-based activities, school WWF-Hong Kong’s conservation strategy is focused 2020-2025 to deliver conservation programmes and annual budget, and partnerships and wetland management training run by WWF-Hong Kong. impact at scale and be engaged with other partnered and network offices. Our focus is monitoring operations of WWF-Hong on youth and understanding our supporter base with improved segmentation to enhance Kong. supporter journeys and support for a New deal for Nature and People. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Members of the Executive Council (Members as at 30 June 2020) WWF Network Other income must be trustee members of WWF- HK$8.9M Chairman HK$13.9M Hong Kong and are elected by other Administration Mr Edward M. HO trustee members at the Annual General HK$8.3M Fundraising Meeting (AGM). Each council member events and trading Chairman Designate Events and trading HK$6.6M 11% 5% shall hold office until the third AGM next Mr Daniel R. BRADSHAW HK$4.3M 7% following his or her election when he or 3% she shall retire, but shall be eligible for Members 5% Public sector re-election for one further term of three Dr Timothy BONEBRAKE grants years. Members may serve a maximum Ms Sylvia CHAN, MH HK$11.0M 9% Supporter base EXPENDITURE ALLOCATION of six years, unless decided otherwise by Ms Irene N.Y. CHU SOURCE OF INCOME FOR FY2020 Individual development 16% HK$20.5M FOR FY2020 the Executive Council. Professor David DUDGEON 60% donations 54% Conservation Trusts and 4% HK$73.3M HK$67.3M Mr William W. FLANZ foundations A number of sub-committees, composed HK$5.3M HK$123.1M HK$124.5M Mr David M.H. FONG, BBS, JP of experts in the relevant fields, enhance the breadth and depth of the Executive Mr Alun C. GRASSICK 11% Council’s work. Each sub-committee Mr Alexandre MACAIRE Corporate 15% Mr Philip MOK donations provides professional advice in areas of HK$13.0M CORPORATE GOVERNANCE conservation, education, development, Mr Arthur MUI Community and schools education finance and the management of the Mai Ms Katherine NG HK$18.2M Po Nature Reserve. Mr Douglas C.K. WOO, JP, Hon. LHD Annual Review / 4 Annual Review / 5 Broadway Circuit Hayco (Hong Kong) Limited Lululemon HK Ltd Starcom Media Mr Robert W. Miller Haitong International Securities Group Limited PayPal Hong Kong Limited Burberry Asia Limited Health And Happiness (H&H) Hong Kong Limited Man Cheong Metals & Building Materials Co Ltd - MOKO Mrs So Tam Kit Ying Susanna Pokfulam Development Company Limited Canon Hongkong Company Limited Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. Manulife (International) Limited Sun Hung Kai Properties - V City Mr Tang King Him Hayco (Hong Kong ) Limited Regal Hotels International Limited Chevalier Group Hinrich Foundation Limited McDonald’s Restaurants (Hong Kong) Limited Swire Properties Limited Mrs Wendy Kwok Henderson Land Group Road Coop Hong Kong Commercial Radio China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited hk01 MCM Fashion Group Limited Tat Ming Wallpaper Co Ltd We would like to extend our Hermes Asia Pacific Ltd. Rotary Club of Hong Kong Northwest China Everbright Environment Group Limited HKSAR Information Services Department Medical Professional Foundation Limited Telford Plaza Hewlett-Packard HKSAR Limited Securities and Futures Commission China Minsheng Financial Holding Corporation Limited Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Ltd Telstra HK gratitude to the following Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd. China Tonghai International Financial Limited Hong Kong Housing Society Modern Terminals Limited Texwinca Holdings Limited organizations for joining our Hong Kong Housing Society Shaw and Sons Limited (Hong Kong) Operations Limited Hong Kong Tramways Limited MTR Corporation Limited The Bank of East Asia, Limited centre activities and events Hongkong Land (Property Management) Ltd. Shunk Tak Holdings Limited Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited MUJI (Hong Kong) Company Limited The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited 723 Studio Limited Jebsen Group Sino Group Cinda International Holdings Limited Hongkong Land Limited New Media Group Holdings Limited The Hong Kong Jockey Club AQ Communications Limited John Lewis & Partners SoaperDelights Citi Hong Kong HSBC New World Development Company Limited The Hongkong Bank Foundation Arup Johnson Matthey Pacific Limited Spintec Precision Manufactory Limited CNT Group Ltd. Hung Fook Tong Holdings Limited New World First Ferry Services Limited The Mari-Cha Group Limited (Hong Kong) Limited Colgate-Palmolive (HK) Limited Co Ltd Niin Limited The Swire Group Charitable Trust K. Wah International Holdings Limited Standard Chartered Bank (HK) Limited Big Silver Como Como Hysan Property Management Limited - Olympian City The Tokio Marine and Fire Insurance Co. (HK) Ltd. Kao (Hong Kong) Ltd. Suga International Holdings Limited CDB Aviation HK Ltd. Concord Alliance Limited Intertek Testing Services Hong Kong Limited Olympus Capital Holdings Asia The Wharf (Holdings) Limited Kerry Holdings Limited Swire Properties Limited China BOCOM Insurance Co., Ltd. COSCO SHIPPING International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. Limited Otaly Hong Kong Thermos Hong Kong Limited KPMG Tat Ming Wallpaper Co Ltd China Minsheng Financial Holdings Corporation Covestro (Hong Kong) Limited Jebsen & Co. Ltd Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited Times Square Limited L’Oreal Hong Kong Limited Tchibo Merchandising Hong Kong LP Limited Crystal International Group Limited Jecka Limited Pacific Tiger Group Limited TMT Plaza OUR THANKS LaSalle Investment Management Securities Hong Kong Ltd. The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental China Tonghai International Financial Limited Dah Chong Hong Holdings Limited Johnson Matthey Pacific Limited PIE Strategy Limited Vasplex Motor Company Limited LAWSGROUP Management Hong Kong Davines Asia Limited Jones Land LaSalle Limited Plaza Hollywood VF Hong Kong Limited China Unicom (Hong Kong) Operations Ltd. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE Lidl Hong Kong Limited The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited DKSH Hong Kong Limited K. Wah International Holdings Limited Pokfulam Development Co Ltd Watsons Water Chun Wo Development Holdings Ltd. The Hong Kong Jockey Club SUPPORT FROM THE FOLLOWING Lululemon HK Ltd E-PAC Packaging Services Co. Ltd. Kai Shing Management Services Ltd - Tai Po Mega Mall Polytec Asset Holdings Limited Willey Construction & Engineering Company Limited Citic Telecom International Holdings Limited The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. COMPANIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND Make The Right Call EAST Hong Kong MSO Popcorn YTT Charity Fund Limited City Super Limited INDIVIDUALS The Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance Co. (HK) Ltd. Ecostore Kai Shing Management Services Ltd - YOHO Town PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited CLP Holdings Limited Man Cheong Metals And Building Materials The Wharf (Holdings) Limited Education Bureau - Curriculum Development Kao (Hong Kong) Ltd Qeelin Limited Individual Como Como Company Limited Organization Thermos Hong Kong Limited Moral and Civic Ed Kerry Holdings Limited Regal Hotels International Limited Ms Amy Pun Covestro (Hong Kong) Limited Markant Trading Organisation (Far East) Ltd. Mr Andrew Liu Transamerica Life (Bermuda) Ltd 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championships Elite Partners CPA Limited KMB The Kowloon Motor Bus Co (1933) Ltd Richemont Asia Pacific Limited - Van Cleef and Arpels Crystal International Group Limited Mayer Brown Limited Eternal Optical & Perfumery (Far East) Ltd. Kowloon Development Company Limited Runner’s World Mr Chan Wing Chung Anthony Vasplex Motor Co. Limited Davines Asia Limited Medtronic Hong Kong Medical Ltd. AFSC Operations Limited Facebook (Hong Kong) KPMG S.C. Johnson Limited Mr Choi Yeung Bun Venture Studio (HK) Ltd DP World Asia Holdings Limited MegaBox Management Services Limited Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation First Shanghai Securities Limited L’Oreal Hong Kong Limited Shaw & Sons Limited Ms Gu Yiyang VF Hong Kong Limited EcoVadis Hong Kong Ltd Meiriki Japan Company Limited Department Gammon Construction Limited Langham Place Shopping Mall Group Holdings Limited Mr Ho Man Tat Edward Willey Construction & Engineering Company Limited Elite Partners CPA Limited MF Jebsen International Limited AIA International Limited Genlink Education Institute Limited Latham & Watkins Simatelex Group Mr Laurent Bertinotti Yan Chai Hospital Social Services Department Eternal Optical & Perfumery (Far East) Ltd Modern Terminals Limited AIA Vitality Geox Asia Pacific Ltd. Lee Hysan Foundation Simmons Bedding & Furniture (HK) Ltd Dr Lee Shau Kee Everbright Environment Charitable Foundation Company Limited National Arts Entertainment and Culture Asia Miles Gilead Sciences HK Ltd. Lee Kum Kee Family Foundation Sino Group Mr Leung Chi Wai Thomas Group Limited Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited H&M HENNES & MAURITZ (MACAU) LIMITED & Fung Foundation Limited Sino Property Services - Citywalk Mr Lo Kit Sang First Shanghai Group BDO Limited H&M HENNES & MAURITZ HOLDING ASIA LIMITED Li Ka Shing Foundation Limited Sogo Hong Kong Co Ltd Miss Margarita Lau Gammon Construction Limited Netsphere Solution Ltd. Beauskin Medical Hang Seng Bank LIDL Hong Kong Limited South China Media Mr Oisin Crawley GEOX Asia Pacific Limited New World Development (China) Limited Blue Ant Entertainment Limited Harbour City Lombard Odier (Hong Kong) Limited Spintec Precision Manufactory Limited Mr Peter Cornthwaite H&H Group New World Development Company Limited CORPORATE MEMBERS LIST 2020

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our corporate and individual donors for enabling us to carry out our mission, making our conservation and education goals possible. With generous support from all of you, a small number of whom are recognized here, our endeavours have been such a success as we work to transform Hong Kong into Asia’s most sustainable city.

Double Diamond members Gold members Silver members China Everbright Environment Group Limited Crystal International Group Limited AFSC Operations Limited Hysan Development Company Limited Modern Terminals Limited Jebsen Group Hang Seng Bank Arup Inchcape Hong Kong MTR Corporation Limited Kerry Holdings Limited Hayco Group Canon Hongkong Company Limited Jardine Matheson Limited New World Development Company Limited MF Jebsen International Limited Henderson Land Group Chevalier Group Johnson Matthey Pacific Limited Olympus Capital Asia / Asia Environmental Partners MUJI (Hong Kong) Company Limited Pokfulam Development Co Ltd The Hong Kong Jockey Club China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited Kao (Hong Kong) Ltd. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. Thermos Hong Kong Limited Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited China Tonghai International Financial Limited KPMG The Mari-Cha Group Limited Simmons Bedding & Furniture (HK) Limited Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited Li and Fung Foundation The Wharf (Holdings) Limited Pearl members Texwinca Holdings Limited Cinda International Holdings Limited Lidl Asia Pte Ltd. Dah Chong Hong Holdings Ltd The Bank of East Asia, Limited COMO COMO Lombard Odier Diamond members Kowloon Development Company Limited The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited COSCO SHIPPING International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. Manulife (International) Limited Citi Polytec Asset Holdings Limited Willey Construction & Engineering Company Limited Elite Partners CPA Limited Mayer Brown Man Cheong Metals and Building Materials Company Limited Simatelex Group E-pac Packaging Services Co. LTD Pacific Tiger Group Limited Swire Properties Limited McDonald’s Hong Kong Shaw & Sons Limited First Shanghai Group MCM Fashion Group Limited S.C. Johnson Ltd Hinrich Foundation Meiriki Japan Company Limited

Discover our programmes for corporates

Annual Review / 8 Annual Review / 9 WWF and the Association of Certified Anti- money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), a global association of financial crime prevention professionals, have launched an initiative to empower compliance professionals to face growing threats linked to the illegal wildlife trade. The new initiative seeks to drive collaboration among financial DR DAVID OLSON institutions, transport, online commerce Director of Conservation, companies, UN agencies, governmental WWF-Hong Kong bodies and non-profit groups in the fight against a major trans-national crime that fuels corruption and threatens biodiversity “Over 5,000 species have been recorded law enforcement agencies, financial worldwide. as being traded or transported through institutions, scientists, the transport Actions taken by Hong Kong can help tackle Hong Kong, often in high numbers. sector, and other area of government. the illegal trade and reduce its impact. With Much of it is moved through to WWF-Hong Kong will play a leading its free trade policy, geographical proximity southern China, some is transhipped role in facilitating impactful synergy to mainland China, and well-developed port to other destinations in Asia, and by harnessing the expertise within the infrastructure, Hong Kong, Asia’s World there is also local consumption. Many network and among other stakeholders.” City, has unfortunately become a global hub for the illegal wildlife trade. Large seizures of these species are endangered. of elephant ivory, pangolin scales, and shark Tackling the illegal wildlife trade fin in the past year has shown how serious requires a concerted regional effort the problem is in Hong Kong. among conservation organizations, The initiative aims to help financial intelligence units and compliance investigators, and seeks to initiate regional and national operations targeting suspicious Wildlife transactions or ongoing cases with red flags for illegal wildlife trade financial flows. © Jamie Cotten / IFAW / WWF-US The effort will also offer a free, first-of-its- kind professional certificate course outlining the steps financial sector actors should take to identify, report, mitigate and remedy the risks associated with each stage of an illegal wildlife supply chain.

Annual Review / 10 Our Wildlife Work 改變生活・變好世界 WWF-Hong Kong and USAID Wildlife Asia WWF-Hong Kong is working with other offices formalized regional cooperation for counter around the region and TRAFFIC to address the wildlife trade covering policy and advocacy in the most important wildlife crime issues in Asia-Pacific. transport and financial sectors. The partnership Operating out of Hong Kong, our regional counter- commenced with a roundtable discussion on wildlife trafficking hub is working to disrupt market USAID Wildlife Asia’s progress and prospects in and trade routes and implement demand reduction counter wildlife trafficking, working with partners and behavioural change campaigns. This includes to sustain impact; WWF-Hong Kong’s role and work to identify high-risk markets in Asia including private-public mobilization efforts which led those that sell species known to harbour diseases to the ban of domestic trade of Ivory in Hong that have jumped to human populations. These Kong; and an introduction to the new Asia Pacific animals are often threatened species openly sold for Counter-Illegal Wildlife Trade Hub. consumption, pets and remedies.

The spread of coronavirus is a wake-up call that it’s time to WWF is working with TRAFFIC, the International Maritime As part of our wildlife hub work, WWF supports the recent permanently end the sale of wildlife especially in open markets. Organization (IMO), United for Wildlife, the Kenyan government move to submit a private members bill that will step up the As the world grapples with the worst public health emergency in and UNDP’s Global Wildlife Programme to accelerate action fight against the illegal wildlife trade, by incorporating wildlife recent memory, WWF urges the government to take immediate against wildlife trafficking in international maritime supply crime offences into the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance action to end the wildlife trade as this is the prime source of future chains. The organisations are working together to identify (OSCO). WWF urge the government to treat wildlife crime as disease outbreaks. A regional survey conducted by WWF showed the challenges and solutions for the private sector in curbing a serious crime to further deter WWF urges the government that 94% of Hong Kong respondents support closing down wildlife maritime wildlife crime and developing guidelines for shipping to treat wildlife crime as a serious crime to further deter markets. Hong Kong should play a crucial role in combating the lines. From 2015-2019 Hong Kong made over 2,500 seizures, transnational criminal enterprises that use Hong Kong as a major illegal wildlife trade due to its strategic position for transport involving 1,900 tonnes of wildlife. Wildlife that is illegally traded transportation hub . WWF recommends government work with routes and as a financial hub, by elevating wildlife crimes under the through containerized sea cargo typically involves large volumes financial institutions and anti-money laundering enforcement purview of OSCO. of undeclared products, such as pangolin scales, ivory, timber and to prosecute buyers and syndicates and to confiscate proceeds of shark fins. crime. CHANGE THE WAY WE LIVE The Asian Waterbird Conservation Fund (AWCF), established in July 2005, has extended its reach this year. In addition to providing support for projects at sites of importance for migratory waterbirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, it is now supporting sites along the Central DR ERIC WIKRAMANAYAKE Asian Flyway. Two new grants have Director of Wildlife and Wetlands, also been established under the WWF-Hong Kong AWCF programme: the Asian Flyways Initiative Grant; and the WWF Dr Lew Young Grant, in honour of Dr Young’s “Hong Kong’s wetlands have a critically Partnership and stakeholders to lead dedication and contribution to wetland important role in sustaining the WWF’s Asian Flyways Initiative and conservation. One project has already migrations of millions of birds each position WWF-Hong Kong as a leader been funded under the WWF Dr Lew Young Grant and three projects under year along the East Asian-Australasian in pushing a conservation agenda for the Asian Flyways Initiative Grant. Flyway (EAAF). WWF’s role in the flyway. WWF will also work to managing Mai Po, a key stopover and make Mai Po’s critical habitats resilient AWCF was established with the aim of wintering site for migrants, and in to climate change.” supporting projects across Asia that will lead to the conservation of migratory building capacity of wetland managers waterbirds and their important wetland throughout the flyway remains an habitats. We have established many important responsibility. We will work partnerships that bring benefits to the with other WWF offices, the EAAF local communities at AWCF project sites. Since 2005, a total of 37 AWCF funded projects have been launched across 11 Asian countries.

Mai Po & Wetlands By working with local communities and other stakeholders we can ensure that waterbirds can migrate between Read more their breeding and wintering grounds via a network of sustainably managed The AWCF is seeking corporate support to deliver wetlands, such as Mai Po, secure vital on-the-ground conservation impact across the 22 ecosystem services, and build resilience countries in the EAAF. for people and nature.

Annual Review / 14 Annual Review / 15 Our Wetlands Work 改變生活・變好世界

We have launched a new initiative to identify nature- based solutions from the rich ecosystem services in Mai Po to safeguard the rich biodiversity of the Ramsar site for the benefit of People and Nature. This includes an eco fishpond management plan to benefit the local community. Wetlands are vital for human survival and provide a suite of ecological benefits and ecosystem services, such as food, water, ground water recharge and filtering, and flood control. They are one of the most important ecosystems for carbon sequestration, which contributes to climate change mitigation.

Two new water buffalo arrived at Mai Po this year to Our work to preserve South Lantau’s natural environment As part of our work to manage Mai Po as a climate help us with wetland conservation. Their daily routine of as well as it’s threatened plant and animal species is resilient staging and wintering ground for migratory wallowing in mud and munching grass creates an ideal part of our work to map and protect wetlands across waterbirds, our research team applied a climate change habitat for waterbirds. Our research has shown that the Hong Kong. This will entail mapping the distribution model to Mai Po to assess the impacts of rising sea levels movement of buffalo can create a better environment for of wetlands dating back about 40 years, to identify and estuary subsidence. The data showed that the rise birds, and a range of bird species are attracted to grazed and quantify how much has been lost. This time-series in sea levels will inundate ponds and wetlands adjacent marshland where they forage and roost, including egrets, analysis will help us to lobby the government to include to the coast, including in Mai Po. The coastal mangroves starlings, ducks, and three species of geese. Oriental wetlands as a nature-based solution for climate resilience, would likely retreat landwards. All of these will result in pratincole, northern lapwing and black-faced spoonbill fisheries enhancement to facilitate the ecological loss of important habitat for the wading and shorebirds, are species that were only recorded since the addition of functions of fish ponds, storm and flood mitigation, and and a climate adaptation strategy is needed that includes buffalo. biodiversity protection. The government must apply the securing resilient wetlands as future bird habitats. no-net-loss policy to all of Hong Kong’s coastal wetlands and prevent conversion of wetlands and fishponds into infrastructure and other developments to ensure a more climate resilient Hong Kong. CHANGE THE WAY WE LIVE WWF’s ongoing Sea for Future initiative aims to protect Hong Kong from further biodiversity loss by identifying seven of 7 existing marine parks the city’s most sensitive marine areas for the establishment of a Marine Protected 2 proposed marine parks MARINE PARK Area (MPA) network in the territory. These areas are West Lantau, South YAN CHAU TONG MARINE PARK Lamma, Shui Hau, Sharp and Shelter WWF suggested marine protected areas PROF. LAURENCE MCCOOK islands (in Port Shelter), Ninepin Group, Tolo Channel and Harbour, and Pak Nai, HOI HA WAN MARINE PARK Head of Oceans Conservation, in addition to the existing MPA at Hoi Ha PAK NAI WWF-Hong Kong Wan, home to WWF’s Marine Life Centre. TOLO CHANNEL AND HARBOUR New Territories Following the Sea For Future touring Our oceans conservation programme As an example, the Emergency Action exhibition, which launched in the city last emphasises increasing the size and Plan for Pearl River Delta population summer, we held a series of events and workshops at our Oceans Celebration at SHA CHAU AND LUNG KWU CHAU effectiveness of marine protected of the Chinese white dolphin urges both MARINE PARK Hoi Ha Wan Marine Life Centre in May. areas, protecting critical species governments to establish integrated SHARP ISLAND & SHELTER ISLAND The festival moved to Lee Tung Avenue THE BROTHERS MARINE PARK IN PORT SHELTER Kowloon such as the Chinese white dolphin, core and buffer protected areas for in June and was followed by the Tales of 3RS MARINE PARK* and reducing the damaging effects the dolphins, and to eliminate and Ocean exhibition at Harbour City starting of human activities on the oceans manage threats, such as boat strikes, in October 2020. Lantau Island NINEPIN GROUP around Hong Kong and the planet. We underwater noise pollution, and toxic Our work to raise public awareness of WEST LANTAU always place our work in the context runoff that harms the dolphins and the marine conservation issues in Hong Kong of the Greater Bay Area, through close ecosystem. includes documenting the loss of marine SHUI HAU CAPE D'AGUILAR partnership with WWF-China and biodiversity, due to rapid development and MARINE RESERVE economic growth, by collecting memories relevant conservation, government SOUTHWEST LANTAU SOUTH LAMMA and stories of Hong Kong’s marine past. MARINE PARK SOUTH LANTAU MARINE PARK and research organisations in Hong The stories give a voice to Hong Kongers Kong, and wider China. on how the changes they have seen over Oceans the years have affected them.

We urge the Hong Kong government to Read more conserve at least 30% of local waters as MPAs by 2030 to address human threats and improve marine ecosystems, while bringing socio-economic benefits to local communities. Less than 5% of our waters as MPAs by 2023 is not enough! Annual Review / 18 * Marine park for compensation of construction of third runway project. Annual Review / 19 Our Oceans Work 改變生活・變好世界 A team of citizen scientists led by WWF’s oceans Our work to reduce the demand for shark fin in the conversation team undertook a ghost gear baseline city continues to show promising results, with a 40% study starting in June 2019, sponsored by the drop in year-on-year imports in 2019 to 2,792 tonnes, Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF). An representing a 70% drop over the past decade. As innovative GPS device has been developed to retrieve part of WWF’s work to reduce the unsustainable the exact GPS coordinates of the found ghost gear. The consumption of shark fin, it launched the WWF survey looked at the distribution and quantity of Sharkulator, an accounting tool that estimates the ghost nets in Hong Kong waters with 156 reports number of sharks can be saved when consumers choose made across 39 dive sites and 172 pieces of ghost gear to go fin-free. Sharkulator is based on a new scientific documented – some as big as a bus. Our ghost gear methodology developed by WWF-Hong Kong, that programme is part of our work to tackle Hong Kong’s accounts for the variability in shark species, sizes of marine litter crisis. The data contributed to a ghost individuals, types of fin, and the different fin cuts gear retrieval operation conducted by AFCD. used. Over the last financial year, seven corporations representing more than 5,000 staff members have signed our No Shark & Ray Corporate Policy. This translates to an estimated total of 657 sharks saved every year!

An Emergency Action Plan for the Pearl River Delta Our 2019 supermarket scorecard revealed that seven The ECF Sustainable Shui Hau project aims to preserve Population of Chinese White Dolphin was released by out of nine major supermarket groups in the city the high ecological value of the area, to lower the human WWF-Hong Kong and partners, possibly representing our have stepped up their commitments and actions to disturbance from ecotourism, and to encourage the last chance to save the species. Due to severe threats from supply sustainable seafood for customers since the long-term sustainable use of coastal resources. The Shui human activities, there are only about 2,000 individuals previous scorecard. In Hong Kong, seafood sourcing is Hau mudflats are one of the few remaining nursery and left in the PRD and the population appears to be rapidly concentrated in supermarket chains, so their purchasing spawning habitats in Hong Kong for the endangered heading below the minimum number needed to sustain practices play a significant role in promoting sustainable horseshoe crab. Their numbers are decreasing and more it. In view of the local decline of 70% in dolphin numbers seafood for consumers. With the business sector’s protection is needed to help them cope with increasing in the past 16 years, we are strengthening our call for the increasing commitment to sustainable seafood and higher threats. Our citizen science survey helped to determine Hong Kong government to designate a development-free public awareness of its importance, we encourage taking important information, such the crossover between the Dolphin Conservation Management Area that will protect from the ocean in a responsible way so that we can enjoy horseshoe crab distribution and the intensive clamming critical dolphin foraging and socialising habitats in continuous supply of seafood in the future. zone, to strengthen our call for zoning to protect the most western and southern Lantau waters by 2024. ecologically sensitive areas. CHANGE THE WAY WE LIVE As part of WWF’s Plastic ACTion Initiative (PACT), leading food delivery companies in Hong Kong, Deliveroo and foodpanda signed an industry- wide commitment to reduce single-use plastics. KAREN HO This is a major sectoral push for the industry to work collectively towards Head of Corporate and Community Sustainability, the common vision of No Plastic in WWF-Hong Kong Nature by 2030. Signatories to PACT commit to:

“The sustainability of cities requires environmental cost behind apparel 1. Implementing a default opt-out people from all walks of life to production along the entire production option for single-use plastic cutlery recognize that natural resources chain; lobby government to phase-out 2. Supporting consumer behaviour are finite. Reducing Hong Kong’s fossil fuel-based private vehicles and changes by adopting eco-friendly Ecological Footprint locally and promote the use of electric vehicles; alternatives to plastic around the world covers work in areas and work with government and 3. Setting up a programme that such as clothing, transportation and industry to reach our decarbonisation encourages merchants and electricity. This includes our work to targets to limit global warming to restaurants to continuously improve drive economically viable solutions 1.5°C, with solutions that include the their packaging materials

for climate, species and habitats by use of solar PV technology.” 4. Communicating successes redirecting capital flows towards in packaging sustainability green investment and sustainable improvements to stakeholders. development. We work with fashion The two companies, representing over industry partners to address the 90% of the food delivery industry, Green Cities teamed up with WWF-Hong Kong to set up measurable actions to engage restaurants and consumers with the aim of removing all unsustainable packaging by 2025 and to establish a more circular economy for plastic in the city.

Annual Review / 22 Annual Review / 23 Green Cities, Green Business 改變生活・變好世界 Plastic manufacturers are facing increased global pressure to reduce plastic waste, primarily through recycling and shifting end-user behaviour to reduce consumption. We expect policies to prevent pollution in Asia will be implemented over the next decade, and regulatory pressure to suppress single-use plastics will increase. Our environmental finance team’s latest report, Shrinking Plastics: Implications of Tighter Regulations on the World Industry, looks at the financial impact of potential plastics regulations driven by growing public awareness, and identifies companies that are most likely to experience pressure on profits, as well as growth opportunities in plastic recycling.

Results of a field survey that aims to explore the relationship between clothing labels and sustainable shopping decisions showed that 68% of respondents are Our work in environmental finance and capital markets The inaugural One Planet Restaurant Awards recognised willing to pay a higher price of clothes that have been includes the Climate Impact Asia Fund, established hotel and restaurant businesses for promoting sustainable sustainably produced, yet nearly 50% feel there’s an by Milltrust (UK) with WWF-Hong Kong providing consumption and the use of natural resources. In selecting inadequate supply of sustainably-produced clothes in retail environmental-related advisory services, monitoring its the winners, we analyzed the food sustainability choices of outlets. The survey was conducted as part of Making Zero climate objectives and providing expertise on climate 460 hotels and restaurants covering 36 groups across Hong Impact Fashionable supported by HSBC. Results show that policies. This initiative will increase the resources available Kong. We looked at the three major area of food purchasing, one of the problems customers face is sales’ associates lack for investments in environmentally positive projects, production and preparation, covering issues such as of knowledge on the sustainability of items in shops, with connect investment flows with measurable environmental traceability, hormone and antibiotic-free products, safety, nearly 45% unable to explain in detail how clothing items impact, and expand the range of mainstream green waste management and adoption of reusable tableware. should be taken care of. To combat this issue, WWF is investments beyond renewable energy. Shortly after its WWF also looked at vegetarian restaurants which support educating consumer on reading clothing label to help them launch, the fund was awarded Impact Initiative of the Year plant-based diets requiring fewer carbon emissions than make decisions that allow their clothes to last longer. at the Environmental Finance Impact Awards 2020. meat-based alternatives. CHANGE THE WAY WE LIVE OUR CONSERVATION WORK

Our work to safeguard the future of Hong Kong and create a new deal for people and nature takes us to many parts of the city, from its open spaces and greenbelts, to its mangroves, mudflats and coastal waters. Every day we work with partners, stakeholders, and decision makers in our research and monitoring work as we address the challenges of environmental and ecological protection.

Annual Review / 26 Annual Review / 27 Today’s youth will be tomorrow’s campaigns are implemented and how have learnt about the local marine life rapid-growing weed Mikania micrantha decision makers, so it is important that I could contribute to environmental and how diverse Hong Kong’s plant and – which will be used as a reference to ONE PLANET YOUTH they are given the chance to contribute protection actions.” animal life is.” more effectively control their spread. to environmental protection and are “Contributing first-hand to conservation equipped with the skills to be future Discussing her work on reducing Additionally, over 100 young people makes this a very rewarding experience” conservationists. WWF’s One Planet consumption of endangered eels, OPY partook in WWF’s environmental said OPY participant, Serene Kwok, of Youth (OPY) Education Programme project leader SY Wong said, “We have surveys as citizen scientists in the past the surveys. One Planet Youth teaches seeks to provide them with just that. results showing what kind of fish can be year, collecting important data on the used to replace eel. I would like to do a state of local habitats. These projects skills in research, organisation and “I have met many teenagers who are follow-up to suggest to restaurants how include a microplastics survey at Mai leadership useful for other careers. uncertain what to do for a career, but have to change their menus.” Po Nature Reserve and Tolo Harbour Perhaps most importantly, it instils a passion for conservation,” said Shaun – which found that over 96 per cent a passion to continue spreading the Martin, WWF’s Head of Community In the past year, over 1,000 active OPY of the microplastics recorded at those word of the need to protect our planet. Education. “The OPY programme was members contributed to conservation location had broken down into pieces “The nine months spent with the OPY created to give them exposure to, and through citizen science and engagement small enough to potentially enter the programme have had a profound training in, conservation work.” in our Connect with Nature activities and food chain – and an ongoing invasive influence on my world view,” says OPY training. OPY member Amanda Wong species survey at Mai Po to map the project leader Karol Fong. “With my One of most valuable experiences of the was selected as a representative of WWF distribution of red passion, I hope to share the experience programme is the opportunity for young Global Youth Action Team working to fire ants and the the beauty of nature.” people to design and implement their amplify the youth voice in a New Deal own conservation projects under the for Nature and People. guidance of WWF staff. These projects cover everything from promoting WWF continues to organize the sustainable fashion to advocating for a community activity City Nature stop to the consumption of endangered Challenge with iNaturalist, and our eels. The skills and expertise gained sustainability centres have remained through these activities have even led open, with enhanced hygiene measures, some participants to a full-time career operating at Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hoi with WWF. Ha Wan, Island House in Tai Po, and at Central (next to Hong Kong Park). The OPY youth leadership training programmes taught me to put myself “I have always been interested in nature in the shoes of different stakeholders,” and this is a great opportunity for me to said programme participant Judy Chen. learn more,” said Green Jobs for Youth “We had the opportunity to create the participant Amenah Asla.” I helped topic, plan the proposal and implement operate the solar mobile café to promote the activities all by ourselves in a group renewable energy and got members of the project. The experience taught me public to sign our petition for conserving how local environmental protection the threatened Chinese white dolphin. I Annual Review / 28

The role of mangroves in coastal protection and resilience-building cannot be ignored as rising temperatures and sea levels intensify the ferocity of typhoons and wave surges. © Martin Harvey

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