Innovation in Nature Conservation- Huawei & IUCN host summit
Huawei and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) hosted the 2024 Tech4Nature Summit on June 5, 2024 in Shenzhen, China. This event marked the beginning of Phase 2 of the Tech4Nature global partnership, aiming to further enhance innovation in nature conservation and prevent extinction.
As part of Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative and IUCN’s Green List, Tech4Nature represents Huawei and IUCN’s shared vision of developing technological solutions for protected and conserved areas (PCAs) around the world. As a result, Huawei and IUCN have formed a major partnership spanning both ICT and nature conservation for the first time in history.
“The natural world faces unprecedented challenges, and technology and digital solutions can be a powerful force for good to protect our planet’s biodiversity. That is why IUCN established the Tech4Nature partnership with Huawei,” said Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN. “I am proud to see this partnership moving to the next phase, helping all stakeholders to unite for nature and build a better future.”
Tech4Nature Phase 1
From 2020 to 2023, Tech4Nature Phase 1 was implemented in five PCAs, including China, Mauritius, Mexico, Spain, and Switzerland. It included:
- Monitoring the Hainan gibbon, the world’s rarest ape, to identify individual animals with the aim of helping this critically endangered species repopulate. Only 37 individuals remain.
- AI pattern recognition to identify and track jaguars in Mexico; the presence of seven individuals was confirmed in Dzilam State Reserve last year for the first time.
- Live viewing and monitoring of coral reef conservation and restoration projects run by local communities in Mauritius; 25,000 healthy coral fragments have already been transplanted to degraded reef areas.
“As a technical partner to governments, customers, and environmental protection agencies, Huawei is committed to continuously exploring and developing digital solutions for environmental protection.” According to Tao Jingwen, Board Member and Chairman of the CSD Committee for Huawei, “this involves implementing four sustainable development strategies as well as the S.H.A.R.E concept.”
“We aim to ensure a sustainable digital future, build a harmonious and healthy business ecosystem with our industry partners, promote digital inclusion for maximum equality and accessibility (TECH4ALL), and establish secure and reliable ICT infrastructure and services to safeguard the digital world (Reliability). Through scientific and technological innovation, we strive towards achieving social progress and ecological balance (Environment),”he added.
Tech4Nature Phase 2 (2023-2026)
Following Huawei and IUCN’s agreement to launch Phase 2 in October 2023, Tech4Nature Phase 2 (2023-2026) will support flagship six projects in China, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Kenya, and Turkey.
Phase 2 also represents the joint commitment of IUCN and Huawei to support the 30×30 target and Target 4 on preventing extinction defined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This phase will also expand collaboration between the technology and nature conservation sectors by involving more people, partners, and countries.
The summit was attended by conservation practitioners, academics, private sector and government representatives, and the broader Tech4Nature community.
Workshops were held to build capacity among partners, explore action plans for achieving fair and effective conservation through the IUCN Green List, discuss ethical considerations and provide guidance on implementation, and enable peer-to-peer learning and exchange.
Innovation in nature conservation is crucial for the preservation of our environment. It involves developing and implementing new strategies, technologies, and approaches to effectively address conservation challenges. By embracing innovation, we can find sustainable solutions to protect and restore our natural ecosystems, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.
Picture Source: Huawei