Climate change is threatening lives and livelihoods around the world. The Bezos Earth Fund is fostering collaboration among innovators across climate, nature, and AI to create solutions that will deliver a healthier planet for all.
AI for Climate and Nature
Leveraging AI to Address Climate Change and Protect Nature
Climate change and threats to nature are among the world’s biggest problems, and we want to find solutions that take advantage of one of the world’s biggest opportunities: artificial intelligence. AI is already helping people monitor greenhouse gas emissions, detect forest fires, and advance renewable energy — but it’s time to do more, faster. AI, when used responsibly, can supercharge efforts to design and deploy solutions to help protect our planet and our future.
In April 2024, the Bezos Earth Fund announced a multi-year $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge to help unlock AI solutions for actors addressing climate and nature problems on the ground.
The Earth Fund is looking to work with those who already understand global frontline conditions and what it will take to make an impact. That said, we understand that AI is expensive and constantly evolving, and many practitioners don’t have the technology expertise, infrastructure, or funding to apply AI solutions on their own. Meanwhile, AI innovators understand the potential and practical application of rapidly evolving AI technologies but may not have experience implementing climate or nature solutions.
By creating new alliances among innovators across climate, nature, and AI, the Bezos Earth Fund will identify and support impactful AI-powered solutions. Rapid deployment of targeted funding — combined with access to mentorship and other in-kind resources — will help accelerate and nurture solutions.
The Grand Challenge will unfold across three years. The first round of the Grand Challenge will focus on driving impact in sustainable protein development, biodiversity conservation, power grid optimization, and invite other innovative wild card ideas across climate and nature. The first round of the Grand Challenge invited grant proposals from eligible organizations: U.S.-based 501(c)(3) entities and global academic institutions. In keeping with the Bezos Earth Fund’s commitment to equity and access, eligible applicants may collaborate with organizations all over the world to develop their proposals. Proposals from non-affiliated individuals were not eligible.
Submissions for the first round are now closed. Those interested in future opportunities are encouraged to read more about the Grand Challenge and sign up for the AI for Climate and Nature newsletter.
Publication Highlights
To inform the design of the AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, the Bezos Earth Fund supported the development of three publications that analyze the current connections existing between both AI and climate, and AI and nature including where there are opportunities to scale impact. The reports and other resource information for Grand Challenge applicants can be found here.
Publication Highlights