Trees can provide multiple benefits

Improving air quality
Removing pollutants from the air

Reducing heat island effects
Reducing summer temperatures by 5 degrees

Reducing flooding
Absorbing rainwater
Trees can support existing urban infrastructures

Health services
Alleviating acute and chronic respiratory issues

Energy services
Reducing the need for air conditioning in surrounding buildings

Waste water services
Providing carbon-positive alternatives to sewerage facilities
We’re creating the required infrastructure to help cities and local communities secure funding for urban trees and green spaces.
We’re creating the required infrastructure to help cities and local communities secure funding for urban trees and green spaces.
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Data Services
Data Services
Using existing data to create actionable insights; allowing cities to prioritise and implement Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
Spatial Analysis
Understanding a location's potential for harnessing Nature-Based Solutions as a means of climate adaptation and mitigation.
Baseline and Scenario Valuation
Assessing the cost and benefits of green infrastructure projects; enabling informed decision-making about adaptation strategies.
Innovative Interfaces
Platforms or systems designed to facilitate interaction between stakeholders, increasing participation in urban forestry.
Impact Modelling
Working with Lucidminds, we’re exploring implementing their Green Unified Scenarios (GUS) model to predict the impact of proposed changes.
Project example: Seoul, South Korea; Ongoing project: Stuttgart, Germany
Management Services
Management Services
Supporting urban actors in crafting a portfolio of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS); exploring innovative and collective financing strategies, that help greener cities become a reality
Crafting a City-Wide NbS Database
Compiling a comprehensive list of projects, creating a one-stop database for all Nature-Based Solutions.
Evaluating and Scoring Projects
Based on our spatial analysis methodology.
Developing fit-for-purpose financial instruments
With Dark Matter Capital Systems, we’re exploring tree canopy funds and whole-city transition portfolios that allow trees to become an investable asset class.
Connecting cities with Opportunities
With DmCS, we link cities to opportunities and funding for projects.
Project example: Glasgow, Scotland; Ongoing project: Nature-Demo
Citizen-centred Design Services
Citizen-centred Design Services
The success of a city’s Nature-based Solutions (NbS) depends on the people and communities making and implementing decisions
Metric and indicator design
Creating comprehensive measures that reflect both the city's overall health and the well-being of its inhabitants.
People-centred, data-enabled process design
Prioritising the needs and input of individuals, leveraging data; aiming to improve the relationship between people and urban nature.
Recognising and rewarding civic stewardship
Promoting sustainable activities such as watering trees, or detecting diseases.
Right now, we are working on:
TreesAI Stuttgart
We’re implementing our Location-Based Scoring tool to support the municipality in the prioritisation of urban Nature-based Solutions.
Partners: City of Stuttgart, The Nature Conservancy and Lucidminds
TreesAI Seoul
We’re developing a data framework to assess the climate risks of heat island effect and running various canopy scenarios to assess the potential cooling effect of trees as a climate adaptation and mitigation strategy.
Partners: VAIV and Lucidminds
TreesAI Glasgow
We’re quantifying the capacity of Glasgow’s existing tree stocks to mitigate against flooding. We’re working with project developers and outcome buyers to justify and fund a portfolio of nature-based solutions.
Partners: Clyde Climate Forest, Glasgow City Council, FloodRe, Nationwide, Scottish Water, Scottish Flood Forum and SEPA
Nature Demo
As part of the Horizon 2020, we’re supporting the 20-partner consortium with expertise on green financing and innovative governance.
UR-Breath, Madrid
We’re developing design guideline and processes for the nature-positive regeneration of Villaverde, Madrid.
Partner: City of Madrid
Equitable Urban Forestry, UK
We’ve developed a framework and a database to assist local authorities and project developers in the long-term implementation of data-enabled urban forests, which prioritise often-marginalised communities.
Partner: Urban Forest Accelerator
Resources
Resources
Dark Matter Labs
Jan 28, 2025
Trees and Design Action Group
Sep 25, 2024
GreentechLive
Nov 28, 2023
Dark Matter Labs
Oct 18, 2022
Dark Matter Labs
Nov 6, 2021
Mayday C4
Mar 16, 2020
Dark Matter Labs
2019
Dark Matter Labs
2019
Dark Matter Labs
2019
Contact us
treesai@darkmatterlabs.org
treesai@darkmatterlabs.org
Ready to turn over a new leaf in urban nature financing? Get in touch to grow a greener future together.
Ready to turn over a new leaf in urban nature financing? Get in touch to grow a greener future together.


























