Working with WWF

In partnership with WWF, HSBC is working with local governments and communities to reconnect lakes in the Hubei region with the Yangtze River and restore wetlands for migrant birds, fish and other wildlife. In addition to environmental benefits such as reduced risk of flooding and drought, the project encourages local communities to adopt environmentally friendly livelihoods such as eco-tourism, fish farming and growing aquatic vegetables.

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Supported by an HKD11 million donation from the Hongkong Bank Foundation, HSBC partners WWF to launch a five-year HSBC/WWF South China Wetlands Project to improve wetland management and raise public awareness of the importance of wetlands in southern China. The project focuses on two nature reserves in Guangdong and Fujian provinces which are important stopovers for some 50 million migratory waterbirds from over 250 different populations.

"With HSBC as our global conservation partner, we can indeed build a living planet for people and wildlife in South China and Hong Kong."

Paul Steele
Chief Operation Officer, WWF International

To improve the management skills of wetland government officials and nature reserve staff, the Bank sponsors a Wetland Management Training Programme at Mai Po nature reserve. The programme is organised by WWF Hong Kong and includes training courses and study tours.

HSBC has funded the programme since 1998.  So far, the Bank has committed over HKD8.7 million for the programme enabling nearly 2000 nature reserve staff and government officials from mainland China as well as other Asian countries and territories to receive training.  

"Guangdong's coastal reserves share not only similar habitats and wildlife as those in Hong Kong but also similar threats.  I found the skills and knowledge learned in Mai Po really relevant to my job."

A programme participant

Established by WWF Hong Kong with funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Hongkong Bank Foundation, the Hoi Ha Marine Life - designated marine parks - promotes the conservation of Hong Kong's marine environment.

Visitors can check out special displays like aquariums, exhibitions and laboratory facilities, and also take a tour on a glass-bottomed boat. The centre is built over water and is an excellent resource for studying Hong Kong's coral and marine life.

HSBC has also supported WWF's Adopt a Green Fish Farm project by adopting five hectares of fishponds in Mai Po Inner Deep Bay. HSBC provides financial support to the pond's fish farmers to continue traditional management of fishponds which maintains both their ecological and economic value. The fishponds are important to migratory water birds because they provide stopover sites where the birds can rest and feed.