The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN)

Why does nature matter?

We know that urgent action is required to prevent catastrophic climate change. And we are reaching a point of no return for nature too.

Climate change and nature loss are deeply interrelated and present enormous risks to businesses.

We must transform the way we live and do business in a way that protects the global commons - our shared natural resources. A zero-carbon, nature-positive future is the only one in which people and planet can thrive. Business leaders have a critical role to play in steering their organizations towards a future where humanity and nature will thrive.

We need to stabilize the climate, preserve freshwater resources, regenerate land, secure healthy oceans and support biodiversity. We need to do this in line with what science defines as Earth’s limits and we must do it on a socially equitable basis.

This presents a major opportunity to businesses to increase competitiveness and drive innovation while helping restore balance to nature.

What is the Science Based Targets Network?

The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) is a collaboration of leading global non-profits and mission driven organizations working together to equip companies as well as cities with the guidance to set science-based targets for all of Earth’s systems. This will help them define a clear pathway to ensure they are doing enough across their value chain to address their impacts and dependencies on nature.

The SBTN is part of the Global Commons Alliance, which brings together powerful leadership, technology, science, innovation, and communication to transform the world’s economic systems and protect the global commons.

The SBTN builds on the momentum of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). It is a network of 45+ organizations - including the same organizations behind the SBTi - developing methods and resources for science-based targets (SBTs) for nature for companies, and science-based targets for both climate and nature for cities. Its goal is for the world’s major companies and cities to have adopted science-based targets and taken action for climate, which companies will continue to do through the SBTi, alongside water, land, ocean, and biodiversity by 2025. This will form a key part of progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global policy milestones.

Why do we need science-based targets for nature and climate?

This is not an either/or situation. Companies need to take an innovative approach to finding nature-positive solutions alongside rapid decarbonization. We need to halve emissions and reverse nature loss by 2030 to avoid catastrophic consequences.

Nature loss is worsening climate change and vice versa. Companies tackling nature loss alongside climate change will help sequester more carbon and build resilience to nature and climate-related risk. It is critical that any natural climate solutions adopted to sequester carbon, also reverse nature loss.

It will be easier for companies to solve both issues at once by setting science-based targets for both nature and climate. Incorporating both into their strategies will drive cost efficiencies and increase innovation that are win-wins for both nature and climate.

Get involved:

For companies interested in setting science-based targets for nature (SBTs for nature): Take action as a company

For cities interested in setting science-based targets for climate or nature: Take action as a city

Resources:

How business can use science to seize the opportunities of a nature-positive economy

Guidance

SBTN website

Connect with the SBTN on Twitter and LinkedIn