Technological solutions for global biodiversity conservation

On May 22, 2025, the world observes the International Day for Biological Diversity under the theme "Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development."

This theme underscores the importance of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, aligning with the core objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

With a forest coverage reaching 83.8 percent, Yichun City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province will be hosting a series of national events to commemorate the day. The city is home to the largest and best-preserved primeval Korean pine forest in Asia.

In recent years, technological innovations and solutions have played pivotal roles in advancing species protection, ecological restoration and sustainable development.

In 2024, the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity convened in Cali, Colombia, achieving several landmark agreements.

The "Cali Fund" was launched to provide equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms for developing countries through the use of Digital Sequence Information, marking a significant advancement in global genetic resource sharing.

Technological applications in biodiversity conservation are increasingly widespread, ranging from artificial intelligence recognition to genomic research.

Various practical cases across countries and regions demonstrate the immense potential of technology in ecological protection.

Scientists at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have utilized genome sequencing technology to successfully identify and conserve the endangered green peafowl.

By analyzing the genomes of wild populations, researchers discovered six purebred green peafowls and bred them in laboratory settings that simulate natural environments.

Since late 2019, over 20 eggs have been laid. This research provides new technological approaches for the conservation of endangered species.

An agricultural technology company based in North Carolina, the U.S., is leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate crop breeding in response to climate change challenges.

Traditional crop breeding cycles are lengthy and struggle to keep pace with environmental changes.

The company employs machine learning models to analyze crop genomic data, predict favorable traits and expedite the development of new drought- and heat-tolerant varieties.

This technology aims to provide farmers with more resilient crop options more rapidly, enhancing the robustness of agricultural systems.

In December 2024, approximately 80 experts from Chinese energy companies convened in Shennongjia Forestry District, central China's Hubei Province, to advocate for enhanced biodiversity conservation during the energy transition process.

The seminar shared several successful cases, including avoiding ecologically sensitive areas, replacing overhead power lines with underground cables, installing artificial bird nests on transmission towers, creating fish migration channels at hydropower stations, and utilizing solar power for desert control.

These measures help minimize habitat destruction, promote environmental restoration and directly protect biodiversity.

Costa Rica has long used "debt-for-nature" swaps, converting external debt into conservation funding. In 2007, a $26 million in debt was canceled in exchange for Costa Rica investing in tropical forest protection.

Through its Payment for Environmental Services program, Costa Rica received $16.4 million in 2022 from the World Bank carbon fund for cutting 3.28 million tonnes of CO2. Up to $60 million is expected by 2025 for reducing up to 12 million tonnes.

The country's forest cover has risen from 21 percent in the 1980s to nearly 60 percent today.

Green financial mechanisms are playing an increasingly vital role in supporting biodiversity conservation, providing essential funding for ecological projects.

China's National Green Development Fund was officially launched in 2020, aiming to support ecological and environmental protection projects through market-oriented approaches.

By 2024, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment had submitted 229 Eco-environment Oriented Development projects to financial institutions, with a total investment of 971.8 billion yuan and financing needs of 682.8 billion yuan.

These projects cover areas such as pollution control, ecological restoration, afforestation, energy conservation, green transportation, and clean energy, with a particular focus on the green development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The establishment of this fund injects new impetus into China's ecological civilization construction.

On the path of global biodiversity conservation, technological innovations continue to advance ecological civilization. Only through sustained efforts and cooperation can harmonious coexistence between humans and nature be achieved.

(Cover: Xinqing National Wetland Park in Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. Designed by CGTN's Li Yueyun)