More than half of the world’s GDP—equivalent to $58 trillion—is at risk due to environmental degradation, according to PwC. Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, Google has launched three AI-driven initiatives to bolster conservation efforts and promote ecological sustainability.
These initiatives include an AI accelerator for startups, funding for conservation-focused AI projects, and an open-source AI model for wildlife monitoring. Through these efforts, Google continues to build upon its long-standing commitment to sustainability.
“This builds upon more than 15 years of investments in tools like our geospatial platform, Earth Engine, that enable partners, NGOs, governments, and academics around the world to address nature and biodiversity loss.” — Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer, Google
AI for Nature and Climate Accelerator
Google has introduced its first AI for Nature and Climate Accelerator, a 10-week program designed to support startups from seed to Series A in Latin America (LATAM) and North America.
Key benefits of the program include:
- Mentorship from Google and industry experts to tackle AI and technical challenges.
- Up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits to support AI development.
- 30 days of free Cloud TPU usage via the TPU Research Cloud platform.
- Workshops on product design, customer acquisition, and leadership development.
- Exclusive access to industry events and startup specialists for strategic guidance.
The accelerator is scheduled to begin in May 2025, providing startups with the tools and expertise to develop AI-powered solutions for environmental conservation.
Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, has allocated $3 million to support AI-focused conservation initiatives in Brazil. This funding, granted to Instituto Clima e Sociedade (iCS), will facilitate an open call for grant applications from nonprofits and research institutions working on AI-driven environmental solutions.
Funding will be directed toward three critical areas:
- Biodiversity Restoration: Supporting projects aligned with the global 30×30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030.
- Bioeconomy Development: Enhancing sustainable forest product value chains to support socio-biodiversity.
- Regenerative Agriculture: Promoting sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices, particularly for small-scale farmers.
“These initiatives represent significant steps towards a more sustainable future. By empowering startups, nonprofits, and researchers, we can harness AI’s power to tackle critical environmental challenges.” — Robert Little, Head of Sustainability, gTech at Google
SpeciesNet: AI for Wildlife Conservation
As part of its AI sustainability push, Google has launched SpeciesNet, an AI model designed for wildlife monitoring.
Since 2019, thousands of wildlife biologists have utilized SpeciesNet through Wildlife Insights, a Google Cloud-based platform for biodiversity tracking and conservation planning. By analyzing camera trap images, SpeciesNet enables faster and more accurate species identification, helping researchers streamline biodiversity assessments.
Now, Google is making SpeciesNet openly available, allowing tool developers, conservation organizations, and researchers to scale biodiversity monitoring efforts globally.
“SpeciesNet is available to anyone working to advance conservation management and scale biodiversity monitoring worldwide.” — Mike Werner, Head of Sustainability Programs & Innovation, Google
Google’s AI-driven sustainability initiatives mark a significant step toward tackling environmental challenges. By fostering innovation, funding AI-powered conservation projects, and enabling open-source wildlife monitoring, the company is empowering researchers and startups to drive real-world impact.
As AI continues to shape the future of environmental conservation, will these initiatives be enough to mitigate the global risks associated with nature loss? Only time will tell, but Google’s commitment signals a bold move in the right direction.
