On May 22, 2025, the world will observe the International Day for Biological Diversity under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.” This theme highlights the crucial role of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, aligning with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Yichun City, located in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, boasts a forest coverage of 83.8 percent. It will host national events to commemorate the day. Known for its vast and well-preserved primeval Korean pine forests, Yichun exemplifies the success of combining technological innovation with conservation efforts.
In recent years, technology has become a cornerstone in species protection, ecological restoration, and sustainable development. The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Cali, Colombia in 2024, marked significant progress in this area. One of the landmark achievements was the launch of the “Cali Fund,” designed to provide equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms for developing countries through the use of Digital Sequence Information. This initiative advances global genetic resource sharing.
Technological applications in biodiversity conservation are rapidly expanding, from artificial intelligence recognition to genomic research. Practical cases around the world showcase the immense potential of technology in ecological protection.
In China, scientists at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have utilized genome sequencing technology to identify and conserve the endangered green peafowl. By analyzing the genomes of wild populations, researchers found six purebred green peafowls and bred them in laboratory settings that simulate natural environments. Since late 2019, over 20 eggs have been laid, offering new hope for the species.
Meanwhile, an agricultural technology company in North Carolina, United States, is leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate crop breeding in response to climate change. 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 agricultural systems’ robustness.
In December 2024, approximately 80 experts from Chinese energy companies gathered in the Shennongjia Forestry District of central China’s Hubei Province to advocate for enhanced biodiversity conservation during the energy transition process. They shared successful measures like 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 efforts minimize habitat destruction, promote environmental restoration, and directly protect biodiversity.
Costa Rica has long been a pioneer in “debt-for-nature” swaps, converting external debt into conservation funding. In 2007, $26 million in debt was canceled in exchange for 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 reducing 3.28 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The country’s forest cover has risen from 21 percent in the 1980s to nearly 60 percent today, demonstrating the effectiveness of green financial mechanisms.
Green finance is playing an increasingly vital role in supporting biodiversity conservation. In 2020, the Chinese mainland launched the National Green Development Fund 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 focus on areas such as pollution control, ecological restoration, afforestation, energy conservation, green transportation, and clean energy, particularly in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The fund injects new momentum into the construction of ecological civilization.
As technology continues to advance, it paves the way for a sustainable future where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. The journey toward global biodiversity conservation relies on innovation, cooperation, and the unwavering commitment of nations and individuals alike.
