The Asian Development Bank has approved a CNY1,013.56 million (approximately $142.25 million) loan to strengthen climate resilience and protect biodiversity in the coastal cities of Fujian Province in the People’s Republic of China. The Fujian Coastal Cities Climate-Resilient Development and Biodiversity Conservation Project aims to reduce urban flood risks through nature-based solutions while enhancing the wellbeing of 4.4 million residents in Fuzhou City and Yunxiao County.
A central focus of the project is the conservation and restoration of more than 220 hectares of coastal wetlands and mangrove ecosystems. These areas are essential habitats for migratory waterbirds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway and play a major role in mitigating the impacts of storm surges, sea level rise, and extreme rainfall. ADB highlights the strong synergy between urban climate resilience and biodiversity conservation, noting that rehabilitating wetlands and mangroves simultaneously protects endangered species and strengthens natural defenses against climate-related hazards.
Fujian’s coastal zones face growing threats from increasingly intense cyclones, extreme rainfall, and rising sea levels, which heighten the risk of flooding and environmental degradation. Key ecological reserves, such as the Minjiang River Estuary National Wetlands Reserve and the Zhangjiang River Estuary National Mangroves Reserve, have suffered from pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species, all of which weaken ecosystem services and increase vulnerability.
To address these challenges, the project will upgrade urban drainage systems, improve stormwater detention parks and lakes, rehabilitate eco-friendly dikes, and establish an integrated emergency response center in Yunxiao. It will also improve habitats for endangered species, remove invasive plants, and promote sustainable farming and aquaculture practices across more than 630 hectares. An eco-compensation mechanism will provide incentives for local communities to adopt wildlife-friendly, sustainable land-use methods.
The initiative will further enhance institutional capacity through smart digital systems and AI-enabled monitoring tools designed for real-time flood risk assessment and wetland management. Training and knowledge-sharing activities will build local expertise in climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and disaster preparedness, with lessons intended to benefit other coastal regions within the PRC and across ADB member countries.
As the second flagship project under ADB’s Regional Flyway Initiative, the program aligns closely with national strategies on climate action, coastal resilience, and wetland conservation. It contributes to global efforts supporting biodiversity, climate adaptation, and sustainable development, reinforcing ADB’s long-standing commitment to inclusive and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific.
