HKSAR's nature conservation policy – a new formulation for an old problem?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine Hong Kong's newly published nature conservation policy (NCP) which introduces two additional mechanisms to address sites deemed by Government of HKSAR to be of prime conservation importance. These sites have historically proven problematic, as they have fallen without the proper scope of pre‐existing measures to balance development, conservation and social pressures. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the background of such measures and how they inter‐relate. It then queries whether the additional mechanisms are an initial move by government to tackle the most difficult sites first, prior to rationalising and integrating legislation for sustainable development, or merely another ad hoc fix. Findings – The new NCP decidedly represents a step in the right direction for Hong Kong's treatment of nature conservation. Originality/value – The paper critically evaluates the ad hocism in the conservation policies in Hong Kong.