New AI4Nature Alliance Launches to Set Gold Standard for Responsible AI in Biodiversity Net Gain
We’re proud to announce the launch of the AI4Nature Alliance—a new cross-sector collaboration dedicated to guiding the responsible use of artificial intelligence in biodiversity science and nature recovery.
Founded by leading organisations including CIEEM, Arup, and AiDash, and with participation from Natural England, the AI4Nature Alliance brings together voices from across technology, ecology, conservation, government, and academia. Our shared mission is to develop clear standards, ethical frameworks, and best practices for how AI is applied in biodiversity monitoring, assessment, and long-term planning.
While AI is already transforming how we assess ecosystems, measure habitat quality, and track nature recovery, it’s essential that these tools are deployed transparently, explainably, and in alignment with ecological expertise. That’s where AI4Nature comes in.
Why now?
In February 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became mandatory for most new developments in England. This policy presents a bold opportunity to embed nature into the built environment—and with it, a national need for high-quality, consistent, and scalable ecological data and monitoring tools.
AI has the potential to meet that demand, from accelerating habitat classification to enabling 30-year post-development monitoring. But without shared standards, there’s a risk that AI could introduce inconsistency, reduce transparency, or bypass ecological judgement.
The AI4Nature Alliance was formed to ensure that doesn’t happen. We’re not building AI tools—we’re building the guidance, trust, and cross-sector dialogue that ensures they are used effectively, ethically, and for the benefit of nature.
What we’re doing
In our first year, the Alliance will focus on five key priorities:
Developing shared standards for AI-powered biodiversity assessment
Creating best practice guidelines for responsible AI implementation
Piloting innovation projects to demonstrate positive ecological outcomes
Advocating for transparency and data access across planning and environmental policy
Facilitating education and outreach through tools like an AI 101 hub for non-technologists
Our work begins with England’s Biodiversity Net Gain policy as a practical, high-impact use case—but our ambition extends beyond it. The frameworks we co-create here can shape how AI is used in nature recovery efforts across the UK and globally.
A platform for collaboration
“Natural England welcomes the establishment of the AI4Nature Alliance, which brings together industry, academia, tech firms and ecology professionals to mobilise the application of artificial intelligence responsibly for nature recovery.”
— Nick White, Principal Advisor – Biodiversity, Natural England
“To create better outcomes for our natural world we must harness new technologies to their full potential. AI is at the heart of this. We must adopt it in a responsible and effective way to deliver the insights and solutions we need to safeguard nature.”
— Damien McCloud, Digital Nature Leader, Arup
“AI will radically alter many areas of ecological practice. Partnership working allows us to guide responsible adoption and better outcomes for clients, nature and society.”
— Mark Nason, Deputy Chief Executive, CIEEM
Our members bring expertise from across the field: ecological consultants, AI developers, conservation scientists, data specialists, local authorities, academics, and more. If your organisation is working to integrate technology and biodiversity, we invite you to get involved.
Join us
This is just the beginning. By working together, we can ensure that AI strengthens ecological outcomes—not just speeds up processes. We can promote transparency, expand access to biodiversity insights, and support long-term environmental goals through tools that are grounded in science and guided by ethical collaboration.
