Scaling Conservation Impact: The TechNature Award in Action

And I’m not the only one who feels this way. Several of our reviewers have shared similar sentiments—these solutions draw you in and offer a glimpse into conservation work happening on the other side of the world. They tell stories of passionate people, innovative ideas, and tangible results, proving that technology can be a real game-changer for biodiversity protection.

The award is more than just a recognition of great ideas—it’s about strengthening the global Tech4Nature community, fostering knowledge exchange, and ultimately, scaling up digital conservation efforts.

Tech4Nature, TECH4ALL, and Huawei: A shared vision

Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative focuses on leveraging technology and partnerships for positive societal impact, with nature conservation as a key pillar alongside education, health, and rural development.

Aligned with the IUCN Green List and Huawei TECH4ALL, Tech4Nature was launched in 2020 as an open global partnership designed to apply and promote digital solutions for fair and effective conservation. By bringing together expertise from conservation science and cutting-edge technology, Tech4Nature aims to support more than 300 protected areas worldwide in evaluating and enhancing their conservation success by developing innovative digital tools that help improve biodiversity monitoring, strengthen ecosystem management, and empower communities to protect nature more effectively.

Since its inception, the Tech4Nature partnership has worked with a range of global and local partners to develop nature conservation solutions for 13 protected areas in 11 countries.

---

An overview of the Tech4Nature global partnership & the flagship projects




Related: Phase Two of Tech4Nature Jaguar Protection Project Launched in Mexico

---

Tech4Nature & PANORAMA: Solutions for a healthy planet - a perfect match

PANORAMA – Solutions for a Healthy Planet - is a global partnership network that connects changemakers to share, adopt, and scale up sustainable solutions for a healthier planet. By transforming local success stories into global environmental action, it provides an essential space for cross-sectoral learning and knowledge exchange.

With its well-established platform, PANORAMA was the ideal host for the Tech4Nature Award, providing applicants with a seamless way to submit their tech-driven conservation solutions through a dedicated application feature. All eligible submissions will be published as PANORAMA Solutions, ensuring that the knowledge and innovation gathered through the award process become part of a growing global repository of conservation best practices.




With nearly 100 technology-based solutions already on PANORAMA, the Tech4Nature Award further strengthens the connection between technology innovators and the global conservation community. This is how scalable impact is created, by ensuring that effective solutions are not just recognized but actively shared and adapted for broader use.

The road ahead: From technical review to celebrating the winners

• March-May 2025: Technical review and feedback loop, where applicants receive guidance to refine their solutions

• June-July 2025: A high-level jury will evaluate shortlisted solutions and select the winners

• October 2025: The winners will be officially announced and celebrated at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi

Beyond the award: Strengthening conservation tech communities

One of the most exciting aspects of the Tech4Nature Award is its lasting impact beyond the competition itself. The initiative is designed to create opportunities for collaboration, visibility, and knowledge-sharing that extend far beyond the selection of winners:

• All qualifying solutions will be published on the PANORAMA platform, contributing to a global resource that conservation practitioners worldwide can access and learn from

• A flagship Solutions in Focus publication will highlight 30 outstanding examples of tech-driven conservation, amplifying their reach and inspiring future initiative

• Tech4Nature will continue to facilitate matchmaking and partnerships between innovators, conservationists, and potential funders to scale up successful solutions
  

Looking ahead

As we dive deeper into the technical review, it’s clear that the future of conservation is digital. The solutions emerging from the Tech4Nature Award demonstrate that when technology meets passion and collaboration, real impact is possible. Whether it’s drones for ecosystem restoration, acoustic sensors for biodiversity tracking, or blockchain for conservation financing, these solutions are paving the way for a more connected, informed, and effective conservation movement.

We are excited about what’s to come. Stay tuned as we continue this journey, shining a light on the innovators who are proving that technology is not just a tool but a force for good in protecting our planet.

If you’re inspired by the possibilities of conservation technology, follow our updates and explore the incredible work happening through Tech4Nature and PANORAMA. The future of nature protection is being shaped today—through innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to preserving our world for generations to come.

•    Follow IUCN on LinkedIn
•    Follow Huawei TECH4ALL on X

Further Reading

Tech4Nature: A Synergy of Technology and Nature Conservation

---

About the Author

Lena Seebald, Programme Associate - Knowledge Management and Tech4Nature for IUCN

---

Disclaimer: Any views and/or opinions expressed in this post by individual authors or contributors are their personal views and/or opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of Huawei Technologies.