Huawei marked the fifth anniversary of its TECH4ALL initiative this week by hosting the Innovations for Biodiversity Forum, highlighting how cutting-edge technology is aiding global biodiversity conservation efforts.
Launched in 2019, TECH4ALL focuses on four main areas: environment, education, health, and development, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The programme has implemented nature conservation projects in 53 protected areas globally, working with partners to protect ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and oceans.
Speaking at the forum, Huawei Austria’s CEO, Harvey Zhang, reflected on the impact of the initiative. “Over the past five years, Huawei’s TECH4ALL programme has demonstrated how technology can be a powerful force for good, addressing global challenges in environmental protection, education, and digital inclusion.”
A key focus of the forum was the biodiversity monitoring work being carried out in Austria’s Lake Neusiedl, where a declining wetland ecosystem has been harming local wildlife. Researchers have collected over two million audio recordings from the area, capturing sounds from 69 bird species. This data will inform a future conservation plan to revive the ecosystem, potentially involving controlled fires to rejuvenate the reed bed habitats.
Dr Christian Schulze, from the University of Vienna’s Department of Biodiversity Research, spoke about the project. “Hardly any reed harvesting has been done in recent decades, negatively affecting the reed belt’s health. Our study explored whether controlled fires could mimic the impact of traditional reed harvesting. It found that older reed beds host greater species diversity, but controlled fires can offer benefits for specific species.”
The forum also explored similar efforts in Poland’s Białowieża National Park, with Huawei’s TECH4ALL monitoring programme contributing to a broader understanding of biodiversity in the area. The goal is to use the findings to create targeted conservation measures that protect the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
In addition to these nature conservation projects, the forum spotlighted tech-based innovations addressing climate change challenges in Europe. Greek startup PROBOTEK presented a forest fire prevention solution that uses a combination of sensors, drones, AI, and 5G. This system detects fire risks and transmits real-time video footage, allowing for rapid emergency responses during the first crucial 15 minutes of a fire.
The forum also showcased an AI-based system in Norway designed to protect the country’s wild Atlantic salmon from extinction, threatened by the invasive pink salmon species. During a 2023 pilot project, the system successfully filtered out 6,000 invasive salmon. Expectations are high for its rollout across Norway’s river systems.
On the second day of the forum, media representatives visited Lake Neusiedl to see firsthand the innovative digital tools in action. The visit underscored how intelligent technology, from AI-driven audio analysis to real-time sensor networks, is transforming the way ecosystems are monitored and preserved.
Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative continues to demonstrate that technology can play a pivotal role in tackling environmental challenges, ensuring that biodiversity can be protected for future generations. For more information, visit the Huawei TECH4ALL website: https://www.huawei.com/en/tech4all