- Hong Kong Carbon Reduction Campaign
- Global forest carbon research
- Securing water supply in China's heartland
- Taking direct action
- Saving the Freshwater Gharial in the Ganges
- Cleaning up the Ganges
- Untangling our understanding of lianas and climate change
- The Panama Canal Watershed Experiment
- Protecting the Ganges: Interschool Recycling Workshop
- Cooking on natural gas in the Yangtze
- Tackling illegal deforestation
- Johannesburg's Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit Project
- Baicheng wind farm project
Securing water supply in China's heartland
The Yangtze is one of the longest rivers in the world. Its basin drains an area that is home to over 400 million people. It is also vital to industry and agriculture, and businesses in the basin account for 40 per cent of China's gross domestic product.
Climate challenge
Water supply in the Yangtze basin is under pressure. Land reclamation for urban, industrial and agricultural development has disconnected the lakes and fl oodplains of the central Yangtze region from the river.
This has reduced the flood retention capacity of the areas around the river and made them more susceptible to catastrophic flooding. It also threatens the rich and varied biodiversity living in and around the river.
Insight and action
With HSBC Climate Partnership funding, WWF has reconnected 40 lakes covering an area of 4,000km2 (roughly the size of Greater London) to the main stream of the Yangtze.
WWF also encouraged farmers in the Central Yangtze region of China to switch to sustainable agriculture and aquaculture techniques. These reduce the level of agrochemicals used and are less damaging to the environment.
Outcomes
Reconnecting the lakes and modifying farming methods has significantly improved water quality and fish stocks. 26 million people are already benefiting from cleaner water, and 56,000 fish farmers have seen their incomes increase. The programme is on target to achieve its objectives of reconnecting 50 lakes to the Yangtze, providing cleaner water to 30 million people, and achieving a 30% increase in income for 100,000 farmers in the river basin. To date 26 million people are already benefi ting from cleaner water, and 56,000 fish farmers have seen their incomes increase.
As a direct result of the work on the Yangtze, the Chinese Ministry of Water asked WWF to advise on how international best practice should be incorporated into China's next 25 year master plan for sustainable water management. This plan will require the managers of the seven biggest rivers in China to ensure proper functioning of the rivers and wetlands, benefi ting hundreds of millions of people, as well as animal and plant species.
Our life is much better. Our annual income is increasing every year.
Kehu Deng, Fisherman, Yanzi Lake, China
The HSBC Climate Partnership is a long-term environmental programme between HSBC, The Climate Group, Earthwatch Institute, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and WWF. It aims to reduce the impact of climate change on people, forests, freshwater and cities and accelerate the adoption of low-carbon policies.
