In recent years, the Chinese government’s emphasis on environmental sustainability has sparked enthusiasm and innovation among corporates in the green development sector. Many businesses are now pursuing groundbreaking efforts in environmental conservation. Corporates play a crucial role in tackling climate change, promoting green development, and transforming towards a low-carbon and sustainable future. In close partnership with some of them, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) takes on a pivotal, innovative and collaborative role in addressing climate change and mitigating biodiversity loss. TNC’s projects in China have aimed at these goals.
China’s approaches and practices in this field are ready to share some of the models and experiences with other countries. For instance, the Ant Forest project launched by Alipay under Ant Group encourages public engagement in low-carbon lifestyles through digital initiatives, including financial technology and other digital technologies. By motivating individuals to engage daily green lifestyle, Ant Forest has inspired hundreds of millions of people to adopt low-carbon habits that connect with nature conservation and relate to climate mitigation and adaptation. This collective effort has led to reduced carbon emissions being converted into initiatives like tree planting, biodiversity conservation, and habitat restoration, thus improving biodiversity. Being recognized for its efforts, Ant Forest received the 2019 United Nations “Earth Guardian Award.”
Alipay’s Ant Forest is a public initiative launched by Ant Group to promote a low-carbon lifestyle. Since its launch in 2016, Ant Forest has grown from an idea into a tangible initiative with over 690 million participants, who have planted as many as 475 million trees across China. Behind these impressive numbers is a continuous partnership and support from TNC. From quantifying carbon benefits in cloud terminals to restoring corridors deep in Yunnan’s mountains, Ant Forest—in partnership with TNC and several NGOs—has successfully connected the public with nature. The initiative has fostered engagement in ecological restoration and the protection of endangered species via a science-based approach, protecting China’s natural beauty while contributing to a greener Earth.
Providing Scientific Support for the Accounting of Carbon Benefits
In August 2016, Alipay officially launched the public benefit project “Ant Forest.” "This initiative converts the carbon emissions saved by its users - achieved through embracing low-carbon lifestyles - into virtual 'green energy' credits." When a user reaches a milestone threshold, they can elect to plant virtual trees of their chosen species in designated areas, or sponsor the preservation of one square meter of vital conservation land to safeguard biodiversity hotspots. As a result, Ant Group will plant a real tree and protect one square meter of high conservation value land at no cost to the user.
Within Ant Forest, carbon accounting is conducted for various tree species and protected areas. Understanding the carbon benefits of tree planting and habitat protection is crucial. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has developed a scientifically sound methodology, recognized by the Ant Forest Expert Committee, to estimate the carbon benefits of different tree species and protected areas. This methodology enables Alipay users to translate their emissions reductions from low-carbon behaviors into tangible benefits like tree planting and land protection, achieving scalable impact.
For example, the carbon benefit of a single sand willow (Salix cheilophila) tree is approximately 19.68 kg. When calculating carbon benefits, it's essential to consider regional variations, planting density, and forest density at maturity to accurately assess the carbon benefit of each tree. Similarly, when calculating the carbon benefit of a protected area, factors like forest type, tree species, origin, and age must be taken into account.
As of 2023, more than 690 million users have cumulatively reduced over 31 million tons of carbon emissions by practicing green, low-carbon lifestyles in their daily life with the Ant Forest Initiative.
Restoration of Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat and Social Public Welfare Conservation Projects
Since 2019, following TNC’s recommendation, Ant Forest has launched habitat restoration and protection projects, continuously promoting the protection and restoration of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey’s habitat. Over 50 million yuan ($6.8 million USD) has been donated to support restoration across more than 16,000 mu (around 2635 acres) within the habitats and corridors of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey in the Tianchi, Yunling, and Baima Snow Mountain nature reserves in Yunnan Province. Additionally, five Yunnan snub-nosed monkey social public welfare conservation areas have been launched in Deqin, Lijiang, Dali, and Weixi. These areas are home to approximately 1,580 Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, representing over 40% of the total population in China.
Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat and Corridor Ecological Restoration
On July 15, 2019, Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Nationwide Protection Network (referred to as the Network thereafter) consisting of 23 member organizations was launched, jointly initiated by 13 key stakeholders including the Yunnan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Administration, Yunnan Green Environment Development Foundation (YGF), Yunnan Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve, TNC, and others. This network aims to promote the protection of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey and its habitats across the region.
With support from Ant Forest, the first project of the Network, the Ecological Restoration Project in Dali Yunlong Tianchi National Nature Reserve, was officially launched. It aims to build migration corridors for separated populations of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys. As the scientific advisor to the project, TNC was closely involved in this process, from tree species selection, planting design, to providing scientific guidance and technical training on-site.
In mid-July 2020, TNC collaborated with the Network and Ant Forest to undertake the largest vegetation restoration since the implementation of the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey habitat ecological restoration project. This initiative covered over 3,200 mu (about 527 acres) across three nature reserves, the Baima Snow Mountain, Lanping Yunling, and Yunlong Tianchi in Northwest Yunnan, involving the comprehensive restoration of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey habitats and corridors, with over 330,000 trees such as armandi pine and spruce planted. The project aims to quickly restore habitats for Yunnan snub-nosed monkey in between habitats such as Lasha Mountain, Changyan Mountain, Longma Mountain, and Tianchi, thereby facilitating migration and communication between the separated populations, while also benefiting local communities.
In 2021, with support from Ant Forest and One Leaf Charity Trust, TNC and partners identified corridors and habitats of about 5326 mu (about 877 acres) around the activity range of monkey population in Baima Snow Mountain, Yunlong Tianchi, Lanping Yunling in Northwest Yunnan, and other protected areas, , and planted a total of 540,000 seedlings of armandi pine, spruce, and fir. The fir trees planted thrive at a higher altitude, and is therefore an effective solution for habitat fragmentation for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys.
In 2022, following the principle of “planting in harmony with the environment and integrating trees, shrubs, and grasses,” TNC continued to carry out vegetation restoration projects for Yunnan snub-nosed monkey habitats in Yunnan with partners, planting a total of 377,000 trees of various species, gradually restoring approximately 3,720 mu (around 612 acres) of land, and is expected to sequester 95,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Meanwhile, TNC understands the importance of post-planting maintenance, working with local partners to develop tailormade management methods and measures, hiring local villagers as rangers to provide effective management for 101,895 mu (around 16,785 acres) of restored land. The approach has safeguarded the growth of seedlings, and created employment opportunities for remote communities.
In 2023, with support from Ant Forest and TNC’s “Plant a Billion Trees” initiative, TNC and partners implemented ecological restoration covering a total of 3,864 mu about 636 acres）in three nature reserves: Yunlong Tianchi, Baima Snow Mountain, and Lanping Yunling in Northwest Yunnan, as well as Yuntai Mountain Forestry Bureau, planting a total of 410,000 seedlings of armandi pine, spruce, and fir.
In 2024, supported by Ant Forest and others, the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey habitat and corridor restoration project continues, with plans to restore an area of 4100 mu (around 675 acres).
Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Civil Protected Area
On May 20, 2019, Ant Forest launched the the Deqin Bamei Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Social Welfare Conservation Area online, where 2700g of energy conserves equates to protecting one square meter of habitat in Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the Yunnan Province. Bamei Village, deep in the mountains, is an important habitat for rare and endangered wildlife such as the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, Tibetan antelope, and blue sheep. On November 26, 2019, with the support of the Network and Ant Forest, the Bamei Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Social Welfare Conservation Area was officially launched in Bamei Village, Foshan Township, Deqin County, Yunnan Province. Bamei became the first public welfare conservation area in Yunnan Province to have received support from Ant Forest.
On March 1, 2021, Ant Forest launched the Laojunshan Conservation Area in Yunnan’s Lijiang online, where 1900g of energy qualifies the user for adopting the protection of one square meter of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey habitat. A total of 50.7 million people participated in online adoption. Ant Forest supports a 50.7 square kilometers of core habitat of ongoing conservation efforts for 10 years at Laojunshan, which is fully supported by the Network, Laojunshan National Park Administration, TNC, and YGF, with the Laojunshan Conservation Center responsible for on-site implementation.
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