Investors are closely monitoring companies that help track and manage climate data as the world focuses on sustainability. One of the potential main names for this space is bigbear.ai (nyse:bbai).
bigbear.ai is more than just a software company. It plays a behind-the-scenes role in supporting governments, businesses, and ESG managers by enabling them to understand, analyze and act on data. The company has also set its own climate targets by 2030, including a net zero target.
The company’s finances are impressive. Revenue rose to $43.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an 8% increase from the previous year. The quarter ended with a backlog of $437 million, more than double the $168 million seen in the third quarter of 2023. The net debt ratio had improved from 4.0 times to 1.2 times by the end of 2024.
Let’s take a closer look at how Bigbear.AI can help support the ESG and climate analysis areas and why investors focused on sustainability and AI.
Help organizations understand ESG data
ESG data is one of the fastest growing areas in finance and corporate reporting. However, many organizations have struggled to collect, process, and make decisions from this data, as they come from so many sources, including satellite images, IoT sensors, supply chains, and internal reports.
bigbear.ai can help you solve this problem. Its AI tools are designed to handle large, complex datasets. For example, companies looking to measure carbon footprint across their global supply chains can use BigBear.AI’s platform to track emissions in real time. Combine structured and unstructured data, including spreadsheets, reports, and live feeds, and turn it into useful insights.
The company’s software detects patterns, highlights risks and helps ESG teams identify where high emissions are present and where human rights concerns are emerging. By turning raw data into visual dashboards and clear reports, bigbear.ai supports better decision-making in both the private and public sectors.
Support for climate and environmental data analysis
Bigbear.ai tools help institutions and organizations manage large datasets to improve operational efficiency and decision intelligence. Although it does not focus on climate modeling, AI tools may enhance the analysis of complex environmental datasets and improve understanding of various operational scenarios.
Bigbear.ai technology is being deployed through several important US government contracts. Under a five-year contract of approximately $165 million, the company is helping the US Army modernize 15 legacy systems through the Global Force Information Management – Purpose Environment (GFIM-OE) project.
Another $13.2 million compatible agreement supports the Joint Staff Office by enabling AI-driven decision-making capabilities that can be applied to a variety of operational scenarios, including disaster response and environmental considerations.
Bigbear.ai has also been appointed as a subcontractor for $2.4 billion Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contract aimed at modernizing the national IT infrastructure. The Veriscan™ biometric tool is currently deployed at 14 gates at Denver International Airport and is used at Heathrow Airport.
These deployments will enhance operational efficiency and security in airport environments. These improvements can indirectly support ESG goals by streamlining operations, improving passenger handling, and supporting airport emission reduction targets.
Government and defense roots strengthen their technology
Bigbear.ai was not launched as an ESG or Climate Tech Company. It has deep roots in defense and national security, formed from the merger of multiple analytics companies. Early work with the US intelligence reporting agency has provided us with experience in handling safe, high-stakes data environments.
The background helps to potentially provide a reliable and secure platform for ESG and environmental analysis. As more governments apply AI to climate targets, the existing relationships in the public sector at bigbear.ai will give them competitiveness.
In December 2024, the company was awarded a five-year GSA OASIS+ IDIQ agreement covering five areas, including applications ranging from environmental forecasting to resilient infrastructure planning. He also won a Department of Defense contract for a Virtual Predictive Network Environment (Vane), designed to improve geopolitical and environmental threat analysis.
The company’s international exposure is also increasing. In early 2025, Bigbear.ai introduced predictive analytics tools at the UAE’s International Conference on Defense (IDEX), demonstrating the growing global interest in climate modeling solutions.
Bigbear.ai formed a strategic partnership to strengthen its capabilities. There are some of the main ones.
Project Orion – AI-equipped decision support
In 2024, BigBear.ai secured a $13.2 million US government contract for the J-35 Orion platform. Originally built for military power management and decision support, it can also be used for environmental risk analysis.
Acquisition of Pangiam (2024)
Bigbear.ai has acquired Pangiam, the leader in biometric and edge-AI technology. The tool is for biometric identity verification and secure access solutions.
FAA Biometric Development – Denver & Heathrow
Bigbear.ai’s biometric technology is deployed at major airports and helps reduce crowding and passenger dwelling times. Although it is aimed at improving security, faster processing may support airport climate targets by reducing emissions at terminals.
The company has also worked with Palantir to integrate AI tools with Palantir’s Foundry platform, making it even more widely used in ESG monitoring and climate risk analysis. In addition to these initiatives, BBAI also tackles its own environmental and climate goals.
bigbear.ai charts path to net zero with measured GHG reduction
Bigbear.ai can help others achieve their ESG goals, but it is also committed to their own goals. The company aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The company’s 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report establishes a transparent baseline of emissions and outlines a science-based reduction strategy.
2022 Emission Baseline
In the calendar year of 2022, BigBear.AI measured scope 1 and scope 2 emissions at all companies led and managed facilities. The company calculated emissions according to GHG protocol’s corporate accounting and reporting standards to ensure accuracy and comparability.
The total ranges 1 and 2 emissions corresponded to approximately 1.628 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. The main sources were commercial office spaces, electricity used for employees’ business trips and commuting.
A detailed breakdown shows that Scope 2 emissions (mainly due to electricity consumption) account for 95% of the company’s total emissions. Meanwhile, it made up the remaining 5% of the emissions from Scope 1 (mainly from fuel burning and vehicles that were leaked by companies). In particular, the total energy consumption of BigBear.AI was already low, with only 0.1 GWH per year.
Science-based reduction goals
Bigbear.ai is committed to further mitigate the climate impact by setting annual reduction targets starting in 2023. The company’s strategy includes:
Eliminate certain real estate holdings and reduces scope 2 emissions related to office electricity usage.
All company-owned vehicles will be removed to eliminate range 1 emissions from transport.
By focusing on these short- and medium-term actions, BigBear.AI aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. The company’s analytical approach and transparent reporting positions it as a responsible player in the technology sector’s transition to a low-carbon future.
Why investors are looking at BBAI stocks
bigbear.ai can be considered a company located at the intersection of AI and sustainability. It may provide AI Infrastructure that supports sector-wide green initiatives.
The company remains sensitive to quarterly volatility due to its reliance on large government contracts, with analysts flagging its low Altman Z-score (approximately 0.14), indicating potential financial risks. However, for long-term investors (particularly those focused on ESG), Bigbear.ai’s sustainability goals and data-driven approach could offer unique benefits as the company evolves.
