“Digital innovation can play such a substantive role in sustainability awareness and action, as we have seen from the very successful forest initiative by our partner GCash. Ant International decided to focus on marine conservation and biodiversity due to the huge impact that the ocean has, not just to the climate but to so many local communities and livelihoods, particularly here in Asia Pacific, where many communities are impacted by coastal changes. By leveraging our digital ecosystem and partners, we can effectively reach millions of users, and together with our knowledge partners, drive large-scale information sharing and incentivise users to take action and track their progress.” ~Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ant International
At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), Ant International, a global leader in digital payment and financial technology, announced the launch of AquaViva, a new global marine conservation program that aims to support healthy marine ecosystems through digital innovations and open collaborative partnerships. Ant International will prioritize marine conservation as a key component of its environmental sustainability initiatives.
The ocean is our most powerful ally against the effects of climate change. It provides 50% of the oxygen we require, absorbs 25% of all carbon dioxide emissions, and captures 90% of the excess heat produced by these emissions. Although more than 190 countries have adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, an international commitment to better protect the planet, only 8% of the ocean is currently protected, falling short of the 30% target required to sustain the ocean's benefits for our people and the environment.
Ant International leverages innovation and partnerships to drive positive change
Ant International intends to use its expertise in technology innovation and reach via digital platforms to encourage the global community that its businesses serve or intersect with to adopt a sustainability mindset and support eco-friendly initiatives that benefit marine ecosystems. Ant International will take an open collaborative approach, working with partners in the public and private sectors to drive collective impact, with the goal of making more progress towards climate sustainability, MSME inclusion, and digital enablement ahead of COP30.
With an ecosystem of over 90 million merchants, many of whom are MSMEs, and 1.6 billion digital users, Ant International will use its extensive digital channels to reach global users and motivate them to take sustainable and meaningful actions for marine conservation.
For example, Ant International has collaborated with its ecosystem partner, GCash in the Philippines, on the GForest initiative, which encourages eco-friendly activities and supports tree planting.
AquaViva partners with Conservation International for whale shark conservation
Conservation International, a global organization with over 25 years of experience in Asia Pacific (APAC) conservation, has joined AquaViva as its first key partner, contributing their extensive knowledge to protect oceans and improve ecosystem health. Ant International and Conservation International will collaborate to drive marine conservation efforts from Singapore, where both organisations have established a presence, to the APAC region.
The first joint project will focus on whale shark conservation in Indonesia. The project, led by Conservation International's main implementing partner Konservasi Indonesia, will work with Indonesian authorities and communities to develop and implement ecotourism policies and practices that promote whale shark-friendly, sustainable tourism in key habitats such as Saleh Bay in Sumbawa, Gorontalo in Sulawesi, and Kaimana in West Papua.
"Oceans are the lifeline of our planet's survival, yet their immense importance is often overlooked. Over 600 million people rely on the ocean for food and livelihoods, and it plays a critical role in regulating and stabilizing Earth’s climate. Protecting our oceans is essential for human survival. Initiatives like AquaViva are crucial in raising awareness about the ocean’s often-overlooked role in climate regulation, food security, and the emerging blue economy.” ~Dr Richard Jeo, Senior Vice-President, Asia-Pacific Field Division, Conservation International
The two parties will also look into collaborations where Conservation International can expand its research capacity to further their marine conservation efforts, leveraging Ant International's digital solutions to gain more insights from the research data they collect.
AquaViva will use Ant International's digital capabilities to raise awareness, educate communities, and foster a global perspective on marine sustainability. This includes using data analytics and outreach platforms to supplement Conservation International's research and gain deeper insights into conservation efforts. The partnership hopes to inspire a large audience with these advanced digital tools, bringing together governments, corporations, and individuals to drive eco-friendly practices that benefit marine life.
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