Oxford Unversity spinout Aioi R&D Lab-Oxford and Natcap partner to advance biodiversity risk solutions
Oxford-based Natcap (Natural Capital Research) has partnered with Aioi R&D Lab-Oxford to develop an AI-driven solution for assessing and mitigating biodiversity risks.
The initiative is backed by Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group, enabling Natcap’s expansion into Japan and East Asia and supporting companies in integrating nature-related financial risks into decision-making.
Aioi R&D Lab-Oxford was founded through a partnership between Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, AND-E, and Mind Foundry, an AI spinout from Oxford University. The research hub focuses on applying AI to global challenges, including sustainability, climate risk, and autonomous mobility.
AI risk assessment for nature-related financial disclosures
The collaboration aims to address the growing financial risks posed by biodiversity loss. Companies face increasing regulatory requirements, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), mandating them to measure and act on their environmental impact.
The Nature Risk Solution, developed through this partnership, uses Natcap’s proprietary nature intelligence platform to conduct automated biodiversity risk assessments. It integrates geospatial data and AI-driven insights to support businesses in incorporating nature-related risks into financial decision-making and sustainability strategies.
Ken Onuma, CTO, Aioi R&D Lab-Oxford, stated:
"Businesses are increasingly being held accountable for their environmental impact, with new regulations requiring them to measure, report, and act on their environmental risks. However, biodiversity data is often scarce and rarely aligned with financial risk assessment.
Through our partnership with Natcap, we are supporting the refinement and broader adoption of a pioneering solution that enables businesses to integrate nature into their strategies while giving regulators and customers greater confidence in their sustainability commitments."
Natcap’s Nature Risk Library and scalable platform
A key feature of the solution is Natcap’s Nature Risk Library, which contains over 1,000 documented nature-related risks. Developed with input from sustainability managers, risk experts, and TNFD specialists, the resource offers businesses tailored risk assessments, allowing for informed financial planning and risk management.
The platform’s scalable design makes it adaptable across industries and geographies, consolidating nature-related risk data into a single, AI-powered system. It enables businesses to set defensible risk metrics and efficiently allocate resources toward nature-positive actions.
Sebastian Leape, CEO of Natcap, commented:
"Nature is in crisis, and biodiversity loss threatens the stability of global ecosystems. Innovation and cross-industry collaboration are essential to tackling these challenges.
“We are proud to be a part of the MS&AD global landscape through our partnership with Aioi R&D Lab-Oxford, AND-E and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance. This collaboration enables us to accelerate the expansion of our offering to help businesses identify, prioritize and manage their nature-related risks."
