Abu Dhabi's Nabat Unveils AI and Robotics for Ecosystem Restoration

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Abu Dhabi's Nabat Unveils AI and Robotics for Ecosystem Restoration

The Advanced Technology Research Council’s VentureOne introduced Nabat, an innovative climate tech venture aimed at conserving and restoring mangroves and other ecosystems across the region using advanced AI and robotics.

Nabat’s cutting-edge technology, which includes drones, AI-driven software, and flexible seeding mechanisms, will be deployed to restore thousands of hectares of mangroves in the UAE over the next seven years. Mangroves, which store up to five times more carbon than rainforest trees, are vital for biodiversity, ecosystem health, and combating climate change.

“Nabat demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology for the greater good,” said H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). “By blending innovation with science, we aim to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and bolster climate resilience, accelerating the nation’s journey toward net-zero.”

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute (ATRC’s applied research arm and the developer behind Nabat), highlighted the unique approach: “Technology and nature are often perceived as opposing forces, but when combined with science-driven research, technology becomes a powerful ally for conservation. Nabat’s system tackles critical challenges, including ecosystem-specific data collection, enabling a tailored and effective restoration approach.”

Nabat’s AI and robotics facilitate precision mapping, seeding, and monitoring, ensuring that conservation efforts align with the unique needs of each ecosystem. Unlike traditional methods, which are labor-intensive and sometimes disruptive, Nabat’s approach minimizes environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.

Through its advanced mapping capabilities, Nabat gathers extensive data on soil composition, elevation, hydrology, and habitat density. Its drones utilize optimized seeding trajectories and adaptive patterns to plant seeds precisely where needed, while monitoring systems ensure the safe growth of new trees. This technology enables effective restoration, even in remote and hard-to-reach areas, reducing costs and scaling efforts efficiently.

“VentureOne’s mission is to launch startups that bring transformative technology to the world,” said Reda Nidhakou, Acting CEO of VentureOne. “The most impactful technologies are not just innovative or profitable but drive measurable positive change. Working with Nabat’s team has been an honor, contributing to the UAE’s sustainability goals in such a meaningful way.”

While Nabat’s initial focus is on mangroves in the UAE, the venture plans to expand across the region and apply its technology to other ecosystems, such as deserts, farmlands, forests, and coral reefs.

Climate Tech Investment Drops 29%, US Holds Steady, UK Surges – PwC Report

Climate tech financing declined by 29% to USD 56 billion (EUR 53 billion) in the 12 months ending September 2024 compared to the previous year, marking a continued downward trend from its peak three years ago, according to PwC's "State of Climate Tech 2024" report. This drop reflects a broader slowdown in deal-making, driven by higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty. The share of private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) investment in climate tech also fell, contracting from 9.9% to 8.3% during the same period.

"Exceptional Companies Still Attracting Funding"

Yair Reem, a partner at Berlin-based Extantia Capital, noted that the decline in funding indicates that less compelling propositions are losing traction. However, companies with strong value propositions that go beyond just being environmentally friendly continue to secure investment.

Growth Areas: Energy, AI, and Resilience Technologies

Despite the overall decline, specific sectors showed promise. Startups in the energy sector, AI-focused climate ventures, and technologies aimed at climate adaptation and resilience emerged as bright spots. Between Q4 2023 and Q3 2024, energy-related startups garnered nearly 35% of total climate tech funding, up from 30% in 2023. Notably, two ventures in green hydrogen and alternative fuels each raised over USD 1 billion.

AI-focused climate tech startups also performed well, with investment growing from USD 5 billion in 2023 (7.5% of total climate tech funding) to USD 6 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, representing 14.6% of the total.

Regional Trends: US Stable, UK Rising

In the US, climate tech investment remained steady at USD 24 billion over the past year, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act. Meanwhile, the UK bucked the global trend, with climate tech investment growing by 24% to GBP 4.5 billion (USD 5.7 billion/EUR 5.4 billion).

The UK is becoming a global leader in AI-driven climate solutions, with GBP 800 million committed to AI-related climate tech startups globally. Investment in UK-based AI climate tech firms soared 128% to GBP 1.01 billion in 2024, up from GBP 440 million in 2023, according to PwC UK.

Sustainiam Secures $1.45 Million in Seed Funding to Transform Carbon Trading

Sustainiam, a climate tech startup founded by Sapna Nijhawan and Pranav Burnwal, has raised $1.45 million (approximately Rs 12.14 crore) in its inaugural funding round. The round was led by Orios Venture Partners, with participation from prominent investors, including Indian actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Rajesh Sawhney, Harsh Vardhan Bhagchandka, and Vinit Bhansali.

The funding will support Sustainiam in launching a cutting-edge platform for trading environmental assets, scaling its operations globally, and expanding its team, as detailed in the company’s press release.

Founded in 2023, the Noida-based startup provides end-to-end solutions for corporate emissions management, enabling users to discover and purchase carbon credits with real-time settlement. Sustainiam’s platform offers API integrations and climate finance tools, allowing businesses to issue and trade renewable energy certificates and carbon credits seamlessly. The company is set to launch its exchange and registration platform in January 2025.

"Our digital platform aims to simplify and streamline the carbon asset management and trading process," said co-founder Sapna Nijhawan, emphasizing their commitment to building a fully digital solution for carbon asset registration and project documentation to enhance accessibility and efficiency for global clients.

Sustainiam’s innovative approach has already attracted over 140 clients, including leading global brands like Coca-Cola, ITC, Unilever, Brookfield, and H&M. The startup is actively trading more than 600 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) in carbon assets and serves key markets in the US, Europe, China, Canada, the Middle East, and Singapore.

"Our advanced technology and global presence position us as a crucial partner in helping businesses achieve their sustainability targets," added co-founder Pranav Burnwal.

The company has set ambitious goals, targeting Rs 70 crore in revenue by 2025 as it expands its offerings and client base. With a focus on climate finance and carbon trading, Sustainiam is poised to become a major player in the rapidly growing sustainability sector.

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