Lessons from Qiandao Lake: How nature-based solutions, smart tech, and innovation are shaping global sustainability

Located in China’s Zhejiang Province, Qiandao Lake is a national model for ecological protection and a lifeline for 13 million people in the Yangtze River Delta. Its unique aquatic ecosystem delivers critical ecological services—from clean drinking water to biodiversity conservation—while underpinning both economic growth and environmental well-being. However, this vital ecosystem faces serious challenges, including pollution from agriculture, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the need for long-term pollution control and effective integrated watershed management. Since 2018, a US$150 million World Bank-financed project has been helping to improve water management and restore ecosystems with synergies in engaged sectors including wetland management, agriculture and forestry in Qiandao Lake and its catchment, while bringing tangible benefits for local communities. Restoring ecosystems with Nature-Based Solutions The Qiandao Lake and Xin'an River Basin Water Resources and Ecological Environment Protection Project embraced a Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) approach to maximize ecological and livelihood benefits while minimizing disturbance to nature. By working with natural processes, the project restored freshwater ecosystems and wetlands and strengthened watershed protection. Institutional innovation kept these achievements on track. A watershed self-governance stewardship model was established to ensure sustainable wetland management, while AI-supported monitoring and assessment platforms facilitated dynamic assessment and timely intervention. Best Practices on the ground The results are tangible. By project close, nitrogen and phosphorus loads flowing into Qiandao Lake had been reduced by more than 25% and 31% respectively — measurable improvements in the water quality of a lake that supplies drinking water to millions. On land, over 13,600 hectares of degraded and denuded forest were restored, and soil erosion across the watershed fell by more than 23%, significantly reducing the sediment and agricultural runoff that had long threatened the lake's ecological health. In forestry, a “close-to-nature” planting strategy brought resilience back to degraded slopes and opened opportunities for eco-tourism. Pioneering China’s first smart forest transformation model, the project established technical guidance systems for restoration, carbon sink and landscape improvement, adding 54 more local tree species in the project area. In agriculture, change happened field by field by establishing source-to-end prevention and control systems for both crop farming and livestock production, driving green transformation. The project helped local farmers change mindset, moving away from routine, indiscriminate pesticide spraying toward cleaner and cost-effective practices. Organic fertilizers replaced chemicals; solar insect traps managed pests without harming the ecosystem. “We have benefited significantly from this project. Using organic fertilizer and solar insect traps for pest control resulted in a reduction of pesticides and fertilizers application and saved our money, improved rice quality and yields”, said Lang Xueyuan, Farmer from Datong Township of Jiande County. These changes also delivered impact on reducing carbon emissions. Forest restoration and wastewater management cut emissions by 833,000 tons, and conservation agriculture—with reduced chemical fertilizers—further enhanced carbon sequestration and lowered emissions. Mobilizing innovative financing and creating jobs Innovative finance enhanced the sustainability of the results. In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the project created the Qiandao Lake Water Fund to bring upstream and downstream stakeholders together. By integrating water compensation into a durable mechanism, the fund channels investment into small-watershed resilience and local environmental protection. “The World Bank was the determining factor in the creation of the Qiandao Lake Water Fund. It supported the incorporation of water compensation into a robust mechanism that sustainably supports local environmental protection,” said Guo Feifei, Project Manager, Qiandao Lake Water Fund. For villagers like Zhu Lyuren, this model also meant steady employment. Planting water-friendly species on restored wetlands now supports dozens of villagers. “There are around 40 people working with me,” Zhu said. “I used to live on government pension, just a couple hundred yuan. Now my monthly income is more than 3,000 yuan.” Building knowledge of global relevance What began as a local effort has become a platform for shared learning. China’s ecosystem restoration experience at Qiandao Lake offers lessons with global relevance. “The new knowledge that we have gained from the project is extremely valuable even for other countries.” said Li Sheng, Researcher, Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry Science. The project shows how nature-based solutions, smart technology, and local innovation can work together to protect water, restore biodiversity, and support livelihoods—offering a practical blueprint that other regions can adapt to their own landscapes.