Tech4Nature Expands Its Global Partnership Presence at IUCN Congress

Tech4Nature Expands Global Reach at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

The Tech4Nature initiative, a collaborative effort between the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Huawei, has made a significant impact this year at the IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi. This partnership aims to integrate technology into conservation efforts, highlighting innovative solutions that address pressing environmental challenges.

During the congress, Tech4Nature showcased various projects that underline the transformative power of digital technology within the realm of ecological preservation. Notable among these initiatives were projects from Tech4Nature China and Tech4Nature Brazil. Tech4Nature China utilizes advanced audio monitoring devices and AI-driven analyses to compile a database of vocal patterns from the critically endangered Hainan gibbons, of which only 42 individuals remain globally. This data is invaluable in guiding the species' repopulation efforts by identifying family groups, isolated individuals, and crucial habitat restoration areas.

In Brazil, Tech4Nature employs low-cost sensors to evaluate the effects of climate change on mangrove ecosystems and the factors affecting local crab populations on Marajo Island, further emphasizing the initiative's commitment to harnessing technology for environmental study and protection.

According to an IUCN spokesperson, Tech4Nature aligns with the organization's Green List and Huawei's TECH4ALL strategy, striving to enhance conservation outcomes through the application of digital technologies. Since its inception in 2020, the program has successfully executed 11 flagship projects across eight countries, partnering with local communities and various stakeholders.

In addition to China and Brazil, Phase II projects are currently underway in several other countries. In Mexico, efforts are focused on protecting jaguars in the Dzilam de Bravo state reserve. In Turkey, initiatives involve monitoring umbrella species, such as wild goats and deer, as indicators of overall ecosystem health. Similarly, in Kenya, actions are being taken to safeguard coral reef habitats while combating illegal fishing. The initiative is also active in Spain, where it studies the impact of recreational activities on Bonelli's eagles.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress also introduced the inaugural Tech4Nature Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions in three categories. Distant Imagery Solutions won in the Tech Innovation category for their project, “Radical Restoration: Democratizing Climate Tech for Ecosystem Recovery.” African People and Wildlife took home the NatureTech Stewards award for their project aimed at empowering community action for resilient grasslands, while the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) was awarded in the Species Conservation category for their work to protect endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the coast of Odisha, India.

Grethel Aguilar, the IUCN Director General, stated, “These winning solutions demonstrate how innovative technology, when placed in the hands of conservationists and communities, can generate real change for nature and humanity.” These awards emphasize the creativity and determination of those working on the front lines of conservation, bringing us closer to realizing a just world that values and preserves nature.

The Tech4Nature awards' jury was composed of global experts in technology and conservation, illustrating the initiative's commitment to leveraging collaborative expertise in tackling environmental issues. Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, head of GSMA's Mobile for Development division and a judge in the Tech Innovation category, remarked, “Digital innovation has an important role in supporting sustainable, inclusive, and nature-friendly solutions, capable of monitoring, protecting, and restoring wildlife populations and their ecosystems.” He also highlighted the encouraging number of initiatives currently underway on the field, accentuating the importance of recognizing such efforts through platforms like the Tech4Nature Awards.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is held every four years, gathering conservation experts from around the globe. The key themes of this year's congress included intensifying conservation actions, reducing the risks of crossing climate thresholds, achieving equity, transitioning towards nature-positive economies and societies, and innovating revolutionary leadership in conservation initiatives.