The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
NATURE＆HUMAN POSITIVE with AI
Agenda 2025 Co-created Programme
Shape New World Initiative
[Hypothesis of the Future in 2050]
A future where nature and humans grow together with AI
“Nature Positive” is a concept that aims to eliminate the decline in biodiversity and make it even richer. In fact, making nature richer is also making us, humans, richer. We have envisioned a future where Nature Positive and Human Positive meet through AI technology from a variety of perspectives, including business, the natural environment, and cultural creation. We propose actions to help make such a future a reality.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Nature Positive
- Social Design #Well-being #Innovation #AI
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
-
Agenda2025
Co-created Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.09.27[Sat]
14:00 ～ 16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
Despite the fact that the term “biodiversity” is becoming more widely used in the world, many people still don't really know what it refers to. However, nature-positive activities that enrich nature are also deeply connected to human-positive activities that enrich people. For example, activities that nurture nature can lead to innovative ideas, and the natural environment is closely connected to human health. Culturally, Japan has a deep-rooted spirituality of coexistence between nature and people. In this session, we will shift our thinking to consider whether we can enrich nature and enrich people by enlisting the help of AI and technology, at a time when the global environment has reached a critical point from which there is no turning back. Planners aiming to solve social issues and create future value will take the lead in proposing a vision of the future in which nature and humanity are positive, making the most of their unique methods and creativity.
Reports
【Reflection】
The session aligned on building a Nature & Human Positive future by integrating quantitative metrics with qualitative engagement. Fujiki highlighted that biodiversity, unlike carbon, lacks unified units and metrics, which makes its evaluation inherently difficult. He explained initiatives that use AI-powered species identification from photos and gamified citizen-science applications to expand biodiversity observation. By leveraging these digital tools, Fujiki collaborates with more than eighty municipalities and seven hundred companies to enhance biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning.
Kamada discussed artworks that reveal invisible natural processes, such as microbial decomposition and the role of cyanobacteria in Earth’s early evolution. Through these works, she seeks to restore a sense of wonder and emotional connection to the natural world. She emphasized that technology and AI can recreate and visualize natural environments, providing new pathways for conservation awareness and engagement.
Naka introduced urban development projects such as Azabu Hills, which integrate far more greenery than conventional redevelopment schemes. He explained that these projects aim not only for aesthetic value but also to enhance and evaluate biodiversity within urban green spaces. AI and data are used to support the optimization of plant selection, maintenance, and ecosystem performance, helping cities reconnect with living systems.
Fukano reflected on the uncertainty of baseline conditions for ecological restoration and the need to quantify ecosystem services to guide policymaking and investment. He also noted that technology and art can visualize and share visions of desired future environments, bridging science and imagination.
During the Q&A, participants raised questions about data standards, privacy protection, and the trade-off between maintenance effort and biodiversity outcomes in urban settings. Discussion also addressed how to engage young generations more deeply in biodiversity initiatives. A shared understanding emerged that AI should not act as a top-down manager of nature but rather as a tool that supports the co-growth of people and natural systems.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
The speakers highlighted the following as key perspectives for their respective research and business development after the conference:
(1) After the conference, efforts should be made to ensure discussions are not short-lived, but rather to advance initiatives that enhance implementation resolution. First, further promote the digitization, visualization, and analysis of biodiversity data. Continuously accumulate observation data through AI image recognition combined with citizen science. Expand collaboration with local governments and companies. Establish a foundation to support decision-making for conservation and restoration through indicator development and dashboard implementation.
(2) In the urban sector, generalize insights gained from cases like Azabudai Hills. Validate models that incorporate algorithms for optimizing plant selection and management, along with biodiversity value assessments, from the design phase. Concurrently, reflect the quantification of ecosystem services (flood mitigation, heat island mitigation, mental health, etc.) in procurement requirements and operational KPIs. Promote evaluations of urban green spaces that go beyond aesthetic appeal alone.
(3) To accelerate societal implementation, fostering an emotional connection to nature is essential. We will expand participation among younger generations by organizing exhibitions and workshops that integrate art and data at schools, museums, and community hubs. Furthermore, to encourage shifts in consumer and voter behavior, we will provide accessible information that supports choosing biodiversity-conscious products and services and endorsing related policies.
Finally, speakers proposed establishing collaborative frameworks that align economic incentives with biodiversity goals, enabling researchers, artists, businesses, and policymakers to operate under shared objectives. This framework will incorporate operational rules ensuring data openness, interoperability, privacy considerations, and accountability, while advancing the implementation of a “Nature & Human Positive” future through new metrics and narratives. It was proposed that efforts be sustained to pass on the principles of Agenda 2025 to the next generation.
Cast
Moderator
Naoya Makinodan
SIGNING Ltd.
Born in 1997, he joined Hakuhodo in 2020. With experience ranging from product development to future insights, he became a member of the Social Business Studio “SIGNING” in 2023. He focuses on promoting global agendas for future generations and researches the integration of virtual and real worlds, aiming to realize a future society that is both nature-positive and human-positive.
View Profile
Close
close
Speakers
Shogoro Fujiki
Biome Ltd.
D. from Kyoto University, established Biome Inc. and became its representative director. He is engaged in the business of converting biodiversity into big data, aiming for a society where biodiversity conservation and economic rationality are compatible.
He is an expert member of the Behavioral Transformation WG of the Japan Council for the Realization of the 2030 Biodiversity Framework, Ministry of the Environment. Additionally, he serves as a councilor of the Nature Conservation Society of Japan.
He is also a member of the domestic deliberative committee of ISO/TC331 (Biodiversity).
View Profile
Close
close
Mikiko Kamada
Rokkakukei LLC
D. from the Graduate School of Horticultural Science, Chiba University.
After a background in life sciences and working as a developer for a manufacturer, she started her career as a plant director and artist.
Currently working to reconstruct the ‘relationship between plants and humans’ and research the importance of soil and plants in urban areas, with the aim of creating nature-positive urban environments.
View Profile
Close
close
Hiroki Naka
MORI BUILDING Co., Ltd. Senior Manager Town Management Group, Operations Unit, Azabudai Hills Operations Development Department
After working in the Office Leasing Division and the Urban Development Division, I joined the Town Management Division in 2014. I was initially in charge of operations for the Toranomon Hills area, and later became involved in planning public spaces and green areas for Azabudai Hills. Currently, I serve in the Planning and Strategy Office of Azabudai Hills, where I lead the development and implementation of city-wide planning strategies focused on green spaces and wellness.
View Profile
Close
close
Yuya Fukano
Chiba University
Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University. Specializes in ecology, with a broad focus on the relationships between human activities, biological evolution, and biodiversity. Recipient of multiple awards, including the Miyadi Award from the Ecological Society of Japan (2022), Commendation for Science and Technology (2023), Japan Prize for Agricultural Science Advancement (2024), and the Young Scientists’ Prize from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2025). A science fiction enthusiast.
View Profile
Close
close
The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
NATURE＆HUMAN POSITIVE with AI
Agenda 2025 Co-created Programme
[Hypothesis of the Future in 2050]
A future where nature and humans grow together with AI
“Nature Positive” is a concept that aims to eliminate the decline in biodiversity and make it even richer. In fact, making nature richer is also making us, humans, richer. We have envisioned a future where Nature Positive and Human Positive meet through AI technology from a variety of perspectives, including business, the natural environment, and cultural creation. We propose actions to help make such a future a reality.
-
2025.09.27[Sat]
14:00～16:00
(Venue Open 13:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
OTHER PROGRAM
The Future of Earth and Biodiversity Week
