The Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) and AECOM have joined forces to create a revolutionary AI tool designed to safeguard nature during infrastructure development. This groundbreaking tool, called the Nature Risk Tool, analyzes any piece of land worldwide, offering detailed insights into habitats and biomes. By providing this information, the tool helps planners and policymakers design sustainable infrastructure that protects the natural environment.
With infrastructure development expected to surge in the coming years, driven by population growth and economic expansion, the Nature Risk Tool is crucial in tackling the often-overlooked impact of infrastructure projects on the environment. Over the past half-century, wildlife populations have declined by an average of 60%, with infrastructure development being a significant contributor to this alarming trend.
Powered by AECOM and utilizing data from the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the Nature Risk Tool allows infrastructure investors and developers to analyze any land globally, down to the meter level. This detailed analysis provides expert-reviewed descriptions of the location’s habitats and biomes, enabling early identification of potential environmental risks.
The Nature Risk Tool then evaluates a project’s impact on the environment and suggests mitigation strategies, offering potential solutions or environmental protection measures. This information empowers decision-makers to create infrastructure that promotes sustainable development and preserves the natural world. Importantly, the tool aligns with the TNFD framework, allowing users to integrate the data into their TNFD LEAP processes.
For example, if the tool identifies a protected species on the proposed site, early detection during the site selection phase allows for either eliminating that site or incorporating protective measures into the development process to ensure the continued protection of the species. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risks of harm to biodiversity and ecosystems.
Jennifer Jordan Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, emphasizes the importance of nature as the engine of our economy, aligning with the initiative’s Terra Carta mandate. She states, “Partnering with AECOM, we have demonstrated the significant impact infrastructure development can have on global biodiversity. This is why I am proud to be launching the SMI Nature Risk Tool, a powerful resource for developers and policymakers worldwide as we collectively work to protect and restore harmony with Nature.”
Troy Rudd, Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Measurement and Transparency Task Force at AECOM, highlights the partnership’s goal of setting a new standard for sustainable project planning and execution. “This collaboration enhances our ability to deliver innovative solutions and underscores our shared vision for a more sustainable and resilient future.”
The Nature Risk Tool is designed to be employed at the project initiation stage, supporting site selection, feasibility studies, enhancing decision-making, and increasing efficiency while minimizing impacts on nature and biodiversity. By integrating the tool early in the process, it provides crucial insights into project risks at key decision-making milestones, enabling leaders and planners to adjust and mitigate risks before a project is underway.
This groundbreaking tool represents a significant step forward in promoting sustainable infrastructure development, protecting our planet’s valuable ecosystems, and ensuring a harmonious balance between human progress and nature’s well-being.
