#TheEarthshotPrize: Can Concrete and eDNA Save the Planet? A Closer Look at the Earthshot Innovators
- Manasi Patil
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
From carbon‑eating infrastructure to DNA‑mapped rivers — A deep dive into the science, business and real impact behind their work
The Stage: Future of Climate Action, Live from London
At Tech Show London 2025, Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, steered a timely discussion with two finalists: Dr Natasha Boulding of Low Carbon Materials (LCM), and Dimple Patel of NatureMetrics. Their message? Climate leadership means harnessing science—no virtue-signalling required.
What’s the Big Idea?
Dr Natasha Boulding (LCM) is transforming concrete from carbon emitter into carbon sink. Concrete accounts for 4–8% of global CO₂, and cement manufacture alone emits ~900 kg CO₂ per tonne. LCM was backed with £3 million seed funding to develop low‑carbon alternatives, reacting to the UK's Sixth Carbon Budget goal: 78% emission cuts by 2033–38
Dimple Patel (NatureMetrics) brings biodiversity into the boardroom with rapid, scalable eDNA monitoring. Their new “Habitat Insights” combines satellite data with DNA to deliver on reporting demands (TNFD, CSRD, GRI) Notably, a single site analysis drew investment following COP16 where biodiversity topped agendas.
The Science Bit: Behind the Numbers
Topic | Insight |
Concrete’s footprint | Cement emits ~900 kg CO₂ per tonne; concrete industry = 1.84 billion tonnes CO₂ in 2023 (≈5 % of global emissions) |
LCM’s reach | UK lays 25 million tonnes of asphalt annually; concrete built environment = 8% of carbon emissions |
Biodiversity loss | 70% average population decline in wildlife since 1970—NatureMetrics serves 600+ clients in 110+ countries |
eDNA accuracy | Dimple: “It’s cheaper and it’s ten times more accurate than what you can pick up by visibility alone” |
Real Voices: Quotes from the Frontline
Dr Natasha Boulding: “It’s not romantic. It was pragmatic. Concrete alone has more emissions than most countries.”
On scaling: “Concrete … accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions and 25 million tonnes of asphalt are laid in the UK every year … a huge opportunity to develop and introduce greener alternatives.”
Dimple Patel: “We’re not tree huggers in the corner. We’re building business models that make nature a boardroom priority.”
On tech: “eDNA … provides very, very granular data sets. When people have accurate data about biodiversity, they can make better decisions.”
On scaling: “Prince William’s visit … drove home how accessible this technology is. … huge potential to survey and protect nature in even the harshest and remotest of environments.”
Hannah Jones: “If you want to go fast, run alone. If you want to go far, collaborate.”
Why It Matters
Concrete emissions surpass those of whole nations. Reducing embodied carbon is now a global policy priority: Europe, Canada, US states like Colorado, Toronto and Washington have rolled out procurement mandates
Biodiversity underpins 55% of global GDP—nature loss isn’t just ecological, it’s economic. NatureMetrics’ work with Unilever and Tesco shows that tracking soil health via eDNA can anticipate cocoa disruptions and flooding
What You Can Do
Ask brands: “How do you report biodiversity and embodied carbon?”
Push for stronger public-sector procurement standards (like California, Toronto, EU mandates).
Support policy reform and private investment that tie infrastructure and nature outcomes to accountability.
Final Takeaway
True climate leadership is measured—one carbon‑capturing concrete slab at a time, and one river sample at a time. These innovators show that when science meets business, bold action becomes not just inevitable, but scalable.
