The Asian Development Bank has approved a loan of CNY1,013.56 million (about $142.25 million) to strengthen climate resilience and protect biodiversity in the coastal cities of Fuzhou and Yunxiao in Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China. The Fujian Coastal Cities Climate-Resilient Development and Biodiversity Conservation Project will benefit 4.4 million residents by reducing flood risks through nature-based solutions and restoring critical coastal ecosystems.
The project will conserve and rehabilitate more than 220 hectares of coastal wetlands and mangrove habitats, which are essential stopover sites for migratory waterbirds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. By restoring these ecosystems, the initiative aims to enhance habitats for endangered species while improving protection against coastal flooding, storm surges, and rising sea levels. The effort responds to increasing climate threats in Fujian, where extreme rainfall, cyclones, and storm surges have been exacerbated by historical pollution, habitat degradation, fragmentation, and invasive species.
To strengthen flood management and climate resilience, the project will upgrade urban drainage systems, improve stormwater detention parks and lakes, rehabilitate eco-friendly dikes, and establish an emergency response center in Yunxiao. It will support the removal of invasive plant species, refine wildlife habitats, and promote sustainable farming and aquaculture practices across more than 630 hectares. An eco-compensation mechanism will incentivize local farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices, with repayments linked to improved livelihoods.
The initiative also aims to enhance institutional capacity and digital innovation through smart ICT systems and AI-enabled monitoring for real-time flood and wetland management. Training and knowledge-sharing activities will help strengthen government capabilities in climate adaptation, wetland conservation, and disaster response, with lessons shared across other coastal regions in the PRC and ADB member countries.
As the second flagship project under ADB’s Regional Flyway Initiative, it supports national climate and conservation strategies while contributing to broader regional and global goals in climate adaptation and biodiversity protection.
