The Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site in northwestern Hong Kong is an ecological jewel. A vital sanctuary for biodiversity and a key carbon sequestration site, Mai Po also faces existential threats like environmental degradation and habitat loss. WWF-Hong Kong, supported by The Hongkong Bank Foundation, has launched the “Powering Our Wetlands” project to address these challenges by using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that restore and protect the wetlands’ vital ecosystems.

Coastal mangroves effectively sequester and store carbon. The intertidal mangroves at this Ramsar Site are significant long-term carbon sinks, with ecosystem carbon stocks substantially higher than in Hong Kong's country parks and other mangroves in southern China. A recent Chinese University of Hong Kong research study estimates that the Ramsar Site holds about 80% of Hong Kong's total mangrove carbon stock and has an enormous carbon sequestration potential of 32,000 tonnes of CO₂-e per year. The study supports restoring abandoned fishponds, turning them into gei wais with planted mangroves – an NbS that fights climate change and boosts natural ecosystems, biodiversity and human wellbeing.

Powering Our Wetlands is already producing profound results. Thanks to the active involvement of local Mai Po residents, nine NGOs and several scholars, the project has restored abandoned gei wais, improving both flood resilience and ecosystem health. More than 1,800 mangrove seedlings have also been planted.

The efforts of volunteers like Curtis Chung from HSBC highlight the tangible impacts of the project: “From transplanting mangrove seedlings to harvesting fish, these activities deepened my understanding of nature's interconnectedness,” he shares. “By working together, we are helping the environment and supporting underprivileged communities, turning action into lasting impact.” Dr Felix Leung, a Climate Change Fellow at The Nature Conservancy, praises the project’s success, saying “The gei wei system is a powerful example of how NbS can address climate challenges, enhance biodiversity and drive sustainable development across the region.”

Powering Our Wetlands illustrates how NbS can protect vital ecosystems, enhance local livelihoods and build a resilient future for nature and people. Through collaboration, education and hands-on involvement, WWF-Hong Kong is empowering communities to protect Mai Po’s priceless resources.

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Community members visit Mai Po, experiencing nature’s interconnectedness first-hand

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Volunteers harvest fish from a revitalised eco-fishpond