Models

Darwin's methodology is based on 3 types of models that transform input data into biodiversity insights. Each model builds on the previous one, translating financial transactions and product flows into biodiversity outcomes.

Model Pipeline

Financial Data → Monetary Models → Commodities
                                        ↓
Product Data → Product Models → Pressures
                                     ↓
Pressures Data → Pressure-Impact Models → Biodiversity Impacts

Pressure-Impact Models

Handle pressure data and translate it into biodiversity impacts.

Primary database: ReCiPe 2016

ReCiPe is a Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methodology that converts environmental pressures (emissions, resource use) into impact indicators covering three biomes:

• Terrestrial ecosystems
• Freshwater ecosystems
• Marine ecosystems

Output: Biodiversity impact scores (species.year)

Product Models

Handle commodity and product data, translating them into environmental pressures.

Primary database: ecoinvent 3.10

ecoinvent is the world's most comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database with:

• 23,500+ products and processes
• Global coverage with regional specificity
• Attributional approach (cut-off system model)

Output: Pressures inventory (emissions, land use, water consumption)

Monetary Models

Handle financial data inputs and translate them into commodities and pressures.

Primary database: EXIOBASE 3.8.1

EXIOBASE is an Environmentally Extended Multi-Regional Input-Output (EMRIO) model that:

• Covers 44 countries + 5 rest-of-world regions
• Disaggregates 163 industry sectors and 200 product categories
• Includes environmental extensions (stressors)

Output: Commodity inventory + direct pressures

Model Selection

Darwin automatically selects the appropriate model based on your data type:

Data Flow Example

Input: 1M EUR procurement spend on "Vegetables and fruit"

1. EXIOBASE identifies associated commodities (tomatoes, apples, etc.) and their geographic origins
2. ecoinvent provides life cycle inventories for each commodity
3. ReCiPe converts pressures to biodiversity impacts

Output: Species.year impact score with breakdown by pressure type and geography