In today's evolving sustainability landscape, the integration of biodiversity metrics and satellite AI into corporate decision-making is not only a strategic advantage but a growing necessity. As biodiversity loss becomes an increasingly pressing concern, regulators, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency around nature-related impacts.
Biodiversity metrics provide the framework for assessing ecological value, while satellite AI offers the means to measure it quickly and reliably across diverse and often remote landscapes.
Financial institutions, multinational corporations, and sustainability leaders must understand and utilise recognised biodiversity classification systems to stay compliant with emerging regulations and position themselves at the forefront of sustainable finance.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the UK Habitat Classification (UKHab), and the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) are three foundational systems for biodiversity classification. However, their complexity and data demands have historically posed challenges.
This blog explains each of these systems in detail and introduces how Gentian's satellite AI technology streamlines the process, enabling consistent, efficient, and accurate environmental assessments.
- Understanding Key Biodiversity Classification Systems
- Why do Standardised Metrics Matter for Sustainable Finance?
- Why Choose Gentian for Biodiversity Measurement?
Understanding Key Biodiversity Classification Systems
Standardised biodiversity classification systems underpin environmental reporting, conservation planning, and sustainable development. They enable organisations to benchmark, compare, and improve their ecological performance using universally recognised criteria.
Let's explore how each major classification system works and how Gentian enhances their application using satellite AI.
IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
The IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme, developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is a globally accepted standard for categorising habitats. It is used in international conservation projects, species assessments, and environmental impact studies.
IUCN habitat classification
Structured hierarchically, the scheme comprises broad habitat categories at the top and increasingly specific classifications at lower levels. For instance, the top level includes forests, wetlands, and deserts, while the subsequent levels define subtypes such as subtropical moist lowland forest or seasonally flooded grassland.
The primary goal of the IUCN scheme is to support conservation by standardising how we describe natural environments. It allows researchers, regulators, and financial institutions to compare data across regions and projects and is essential for initiatives like the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. The scheme’s comprehensive design makes it one of the most widely applicable classification systems globally.
However, traditional methods for applying IUCN classifications can be slow, expensive, and inconsistent, especially when assessing large or inaccessible areas. Field-based surveys rely on trained ecologists and may vary depending on interpretation or field conditions. For organisations operating internationally, this creates challenges in maintaining data quality and comparability across sites.
Gentian’s satellite AI technology transforms how the IUCN classification scheme is applied. By leveraging very high-resolution satellite imagery and AI-powered habitat recognition, Gentian True Sage automatically detects and classifies habitats according to IUCN standards.
This enables organisations to achieve consistent assessments across global operations, without dispatching field teams. Data collected is not only highly accurate but also replicable, making it suitable for both ongoing monitoring and regulatory reporting.
UKHab (UK Habitat Classification)
UKHab is the UK’s modern, detailed habitat classification system. Developed as a successor to the older Phase 1 habitat survey, it was created by the UK Habitat Classification Working Group to provide a more consistent and nuanced tool for ecological assessments.
UKHab is essential for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) compliance in England, which legally requires new developments to deliver a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity value, as measured using UKHab-classified baseline and post-development habitat data.
This classification system provides comprehensive definitions, diagnostic keys, and guidance, making it possible to identify and assess habitats at a granular level. It forms the foundation of the DEFRA biodiversity metric used in land-use planning and development. UKHab's specificity and structure are ideal for modern ecological assessments, but its benefits come with practical challenges.
Conducting a UKHab assessment through traditional methods requires field teams to visit sites, collect data manually, and interpret habitat classifications. This introduces the potential for inconsistency and human error, especially when assessments are repeated over time or compared across different locations. For developers and consultants managing multiple sites, the logistics can quickly become overwhelming.
Gentian’s technology offers a transformative solution. Using AI models trained on UKHab classifications, the system can remotely map habitats with precision that meets or exceeds traditional methods.
Results are delivered faster, with clear documentation and GIS-compatible outputs suitable for planning submissions. Gentian’s platform enables organisations to demonstrate their compliance with BNG requirements, reduces survey costs, and delivers consistent, transparent results across project portfolios.
This technology not only speeds up assessments but also ensures accuracy and repeatability, enabling planners, developers, and ecological consultants to make better, data-driven decisions in support of the UK’s environmental objectives.
EUNIS Habitat Classification
The European Nature Information System (EUNIS) habitat classification, developed by the European Environment Agency, is the standard for pan-European ecological assessments. Designed to support EU-wide environmental reporting, conservation policies, and legislation, EUNIS includes detailed habitat types across both terrestrial and marine environments.
EUNIS plays a central role in the EU Habitats Directive, Natura 2000 network, and other cross-border environmental frameworks. The classification is hierarchical and extensive, encompassing thousands of habitat types structured into major habitat classes such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, and marine systems. Each class is subdivided based on ecological characteristics, enabling precise classification aligned with European conservation priorities.
The sheer scale of applying EUNIS using traditional survey methods is a major challenge. Mapping large territories, especially across borders, can be prohibitively expensive and time-intensive. Manual surveys may also result in inconsistent data due to differences in expertise, methodology, or access.
Gentian’s satellite AI capability addresses these limitations head-on. With the ability to classify habitats across entire countries using up-to-date satellite imagery, the True Sage platform ensures consistency, accuracy, and regulatory alignment. Whether for reporting under CSRD or supporting pan-European conservation efforts, Gentian makes EUNIS application practical and scalable.
Organisations with operations across the EU benefit greatly from this standardised approach. It ensures comparability across sites and simplifies environmental reporting by providing clear, EUNIS-compatible outputs, all without boots on the ground. This accelerates the adoption of nature-positive strategies and supports cross-border compliance with European regulations.
Why Do Standardised Metrics Matter for Sustainable Finance?
Biodiversity loss represents both a physical and transitional risk to global economies. Financial institutions are increasingly aware of the need to factor in nature-related risks to credit ratings, investment strategies, and ESG performance. According to the World Economic Forum, over half of global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature.
Standardised biodiversity metrics provide a common language for assessing these risks. Whether using IUCN classifications to evaluate ecosystem degradation, UKHab to track land-use change in the UK, or EUNIS for compliance with EU legislation, these systems form the foundation of biodiversity-linked decision-making.
They are especially relevant under frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), both of which require location-specific biodiversity data.
By aligning assessments with recognised standards, companies can meet regulatory obligations while improving their understanding of dependencies on nature. These metrics also provide investors and regulators with a trustworthy basis for evaluating corporate environmental performance, ensuring that ESG ratings reflect tangible, verifiable impacts.
Organisations that adopt robust biodiversity metrics early are better positioned to benefit from green financing opportunities, including sustainability-linked loans and biodiversity credits. In this way, biodiversity becomes not only a compliance issue but a strategic financial asset.
These outputs support both financial and impact materiality disclosures and align with ESRS E4 biodiversity standards. For a deeper exploration of how biodiversity scoring supports ESG performance and green financing, see our related post: The Future of Sustainable Finance: Biodiversity Scoring in ESG Ratings and Green Loans.
Why Choose Gentian for Biodiversity Measurement?
Gentian’s AI-powered satellite technology is designed to make biodiversity measurement easy, accurate, and compliant. With capabilities that span remote sensing, AI modelling, ecological expertise, and policy alignment, we are the trusted partner for nature-intelligent organisations.
High-Resolution Accuracy
Our models analyse imagery at resolutions up to 50cm per pixel or finer, enabling detailed habitat classification down to hedgerows, ponds, and other fine ecological features. This ensures you capture the full value of your natural capital.
Gentian's AI models are continuously refined using field-verified data, ensuring exceptional accuracy across a range of habitats and geographies. This allows clients to assess biodiversity with a level of detail that supports both compliance and conservation goals.
Unmatched Speed and Ease
Gentian delivers biodiversity insights at a speed that traditional methods simply cannot match. By automating habitat mapping with AI, we compress analysis timelines dramatically, producing results in a matter of days or even hours. For example, what might be a month-long ground survey campaign can often be turned around by Gentian’s platform within a single workweek.
Our platform also offers automated updates, allowing clients to conduct repeat assessments over time and monitor biodiversity trends without additional logistical burden. This capability is vital for organisations that require annual ESG reporting or wish to demonstrate year-on-year progress against biodiversity targets.
Reliable Expertise
Our platform is backed by a multidisciplinary team of ecologists, data scientists, and satellite engineers. Every dataset we produce is reviewed by specialists to ensure scientific integrity and regulatory compliance. We stay current with evolving international standards and contribute to industry discussions, ensuring our methodologies align with best practices in biodiversity monitoring.
Clients benefit from more than just data, they gain a partner capable of interpreting and applying insights in the context of sustainable finance and environmental governance.
We Are a Trusted Partner
Gentian strives to be more than just a vendor; we see ourselves as a long-term partner in our clients’ sustainability journey. This ethos is reflected in the flexibility and support we offer. Our solutions are scalable and adaptable, whether you need to assess a single site or thousands of sites worldwide, our platform can scale to your needs without compromising on detail or consistency
Whether you're reporting to TNFD, CSRD, BNG, or another framework, Gentian supports you end-to-end. Our platform outputs are compatible with ESG systems and align with leading classification schemes, including IUCN, UKHab, and EUNIS. We also provide integration support for existing corporate reporting tools, enabling seamless adoption across sustainability, risk management, and finance teams. For organisations scaling biodiversity assessments globally, Gentian offers the reliability and scalability needed to operate at pace and with confidence.
Take the next step.
Gentian's mission is to make biodiversity data accessible, actionable, and aligned with the highest global standards. By leveraging satellite AI, we help you understand your biodiversity impact, meet regulatory goals, and unlock new sustainability opportunities.
Ready to elevate your biodiversity strategy? We invite you to learn more about how Gentian’s solutions can drive measurable impact for your organisation. Get in touch via the form below or explore Gentian’s product page to see how cutting-edge satellite AI can transform your environmental management, support your ESG reporting, and help you stay ahead in sustainable business.
Together, let’s make biodiversity data a powerful asset for your company and a cornerstone of sustainable finance.
