Today, we know that the climate and biodiversity crises are interlinked and that we cannot combat climate change without also addressing biodiversity loss. This summer, BNP Paribas and 2050NOW La Maison published the study “Nature Tech & Biodiversity” (available only in French) to explore the potential of this emerging field and provide insight into Nature Tech’s definitions, key technologies, innovative solutions and financing.
In this two-part series dedicated to Nature Tech, we aim to provide a brief overview of this comprehensive study’s key takeaways, starting with: What is Nature Tech and why is it important? What is the value of research in measuring biodiversity and how can Nature Tech’s innovative technologies play a vital role in tackling nature loss?
What is Nature Tech?
Nature Tech refers to all technologies and tools developed to protect, restore and sustainably manage nature. Placing biodiversity at the core of its approach, Nature Tech aims to accelerate and scale nature-based solutions (NbS) that address environmental challenges – such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation – through the protection, restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems.
“Over the years, as markets have become aware of the challenges of biodiversity and nature, 'Nature Tech' terms seem to be gaining more substance and relevance", explains Pauline Blandin, Impact Investment Director at BNP Paribas Asset Management.
Greentech, which primarily focuses on renewable energies, can be viewed as a precursor to Nature Tech, which puts biodiversity at the heart of its solutions.
In the face of global ecological urgency, Nature Tech is an emerging field that is continuing to evolve as advancements in technology and research offer new solutions for us to restore, protect and preserve biodiversity on a global scale.
A challenge facing biodiversity action is a lack of reliable data
According to Imène Ben Rejeb-Mzah, Head of Data Analytics and Research on Environment (DARE) at BNP Paribas: “Quantifying the impact of human activity on biodiversity is essential in order to implement financial strategies for nature protection.” Her team has published a series of research papers aiming to contribute to the development of methodologies and tools to quantify biodiversity risks in financing portfolios.
To address the environmental data gap, Nature Tech leverages cutting-edge technology that is not only transforming the way approach biodiversity monitoring and measurement but also enabling rapid, precise and measurable interventions to protect and restore nature.
Nature Tech's Key technologies
- Drones and Autonomous robots can operate quickly and effectively in hard-to-access areas to help support large-scale reforestation, ecosystem mapping, wildlife and marine monitoring and coral reef restoration.
- Internet of This (IoT) sensors can collect precise, real-time data on air, water, and soil quality to help us understand how to effectively and sustainably manage ecosystems.
- Bioengineering can apply engineering principles to biological systems (including approaches that are inspired by nature itself, known as “biomimicry”) for the genetic restoration of certain species and development of drought-resistant plants.
- Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can analyse large quantities of data, identify complex patterns and optimise processes to model threats to biodiversity, automate species detection and monitor biodiversity through image analysis.
- Satellite monitoring and observation can provide real-time, large-scale biodiversity data and imagery to track the evolution of ecosystems, detect deforestation, analyse crop health, and monitor the water quality of lakes, rivers and the Ocean.
- Environmental management systems can be used to measure, manage and mitigate risks related to nature and biodiversity loss.
Protecting nature also means protecting our future… To halt the degradation of ecosystems and restore them, everyone must take a seat at the table with the goal of finding concrete solutions, such as those outlined by Nature Tech. As the testimonials [in our “Nature & Biodiversity” study] demonstrate, technology can help reverse the trend as long as it is eco-designed and put to the service of nature.
"Protecting nature also means protecting our future"
Nature Tech is an evolving field that has the potential to transform the way we approach biodiversity and climate challenges, all while contributing to a more sustainable future with innovative tech solutions that put nature first.
Stay tuned for our second article in this series to be published later this summer to learn about examples of concrete Nature Tech solutions from innovative startups as well as the current and future potential of the Nature Tech market thanks to financing from private sector actors like BNP Paribas.
Nature Tech and Biodiversity
Discover the in-depth study titled “Nature Tech and Biodiversity” published by 2050NOW La Maison and BNP Paribas this summer (available in French only).
