The Science Based Targets for Nature is a framework that helps companies set measurable, science-driven goals to address their impacts and dependencies on nature. We sat down with Jaco Du Toit, Biodiversity and Policy Manager, Corporate partnerships at WWF to get his take on the Science Based Targets For Nature or (SBTN) and some key considerations for companies wanting to implement similar journeys.
In a nutshell, what is the SBTN all about?
The Science Based Targets Network is a civil-society and science-led initiative to define what is necessary for companies and cities to do “enough” to stay within Earth’s limits and meet society’s needs. It identifies many of the areas where businesses need to set transformational targets including on avoiding Deforestation and Land conversion, reducing the amount of land used, engaging in critical landscapes and delivering on basin specific science-based water quantity and quality targets.
Where do you think SBTN has the most value?
Over the last few years we’ve seen a proliferation of guidelines on what companies should do in terms of the nature loss crisis we face. By bringing together multiple scientific and environmental organizations behind one set of core guidelines for target setting the Science Based Targets Network plays a critical role in creating a broadly supported approach for companies that should ultimately give us comparable, third-party validated targets.
Why should companies consider setting science based targets for nature?
From a business perspective, the SBTN methodology helps companies identify some of the most significant environmental impacts within their supply chains and set credible, science-based targets to reduce them. This proactive approach mitigates reputational and regulatory risks.
Voluntary frameworks like the Task Force on Nature-Related Disclosures (TNFD) promote double materiality analysis, and the SBTN methodology supports companies in addressing their environmental impact. Similarly, European corporate disclosure standards require businesses to report on biodiversity impact and establish management targets, making SBTN a valuable tool to prepare for =regulatory compliance.
More than 7,000 companies have already set Science-Based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Over time, we expect Science-Based Targets for Nature to become a similar industry standard for environmental leadership on other nature impacts.
In your view what are some of the complexities attached for companies wanting to use the methodology?
The challenges we face around the loss of biodiversity are complex and the SBTN guidelines for how to meet them reflect this complexity to some extent. Companies with a very diverse product portfolio might find it hard to complete the necessary full assessment for all their supply chains, and smaller companies may find the data requirements very challenging.
How has WWF supported H&M Group throughout the process?
In 2024, a pilot project was undertaken with 17 companies to apply and test the new guidance on setting science-based targets for nature. WWF technical experts from around the world were central to the development of these guidelines and our corporate partnerships team worked closely with H&M Group on several aspects of applying these guidelines to their company. Specifically we supported H&M Group with using the WWF Risk Filter Suite to identify nature-related impact indicators for H&M Group sourcing locations. We also worked together closely on submitting our partnership landscape projects in India and South Africa for the landscape engagement requirements of the SBTN.
Some learnings from this experience are shared in the report Integrating Companies within Planetary Boundaries.
What would you say to other companies wanting to implement similar journeys?
My recommendation would be that the guidelines are a very helpful methodological approach to target setting, even if a company does not feel ready to go through the full, formal validation process. Any company can use the guidelines and tools to better understand how they need to assess and interpret impacts on nature (step 1 and 2). Even if a company does not have enough data to complete the full assessment the approach can help identify a starting point.
The targets that the SBTN suggests companies should set (step 3 of the methodology) provide a clear direction for the target areas that all companies should consider.
I would also advise companies to bear in mind that the SBTN development team started their work by looking at some of the most pressing drivers of the loss of nature on topics where the science is furthest advanced. There are important topics that are not yet part of the SBTN framework that companies need to continue to work on in parallel. These include for example sustainable land use, post-consumer waste, pesticides, groundwater impacts and many other issues that companies in specific sectors have been working on for years.
Where is the SBTN at in its development?
After the pilot testing period, which concluded in 2024,, version 1 of the land and water methodologies are now finalised. These frameworks will continue to evolve as the body of experience grows on how to set and implement these targets but the guidelines are ready for companies to use now. Any company that feels it is ready to submit a target for independent validation can reach out to the SBTN team directly or contact us at foretag@wwf.se
We also spoke with Jennie Granström, Biodiversity Impact lead at H&M Group on their learnings.
H&M Group was a part of the pilot project testing the SBTN methodology. What are your key takeaways?
The analysis helped confirm and refine our prioritization for addressing our biodiversity impacts, both in our value chain and in key landscapes. The fashion supply chain is often complex and long requiring cooperation and commitment from stakeholders at various stages. In this context the pilot has demonstrated significant value, but has also highlighted industry-specific challenges around the feasibility and complexity of target validation requirements together with the need for full alignment between frameworks and legislations. We started investing in cotton and wool production landscape initiatives before the SBTN guidelines were available and it was good to get the priority of the locations confirmed by the analysis. Hopefully, more companies will now be encouraged to take a similar approach.
What has H&M Group contributed with for the pilot?
We see that current traceability, data availability and resources available within each sector has an impact on how the science-based targets guidelines can be interpreted and implemented. Through our participation in the SBTN pilot project, we have provided industry-wide input to the development of the SBTN guidance to best reduce the negative impacts of business on nature.
What are your areas of focus going forward?
For our own company, H&M Group is currently mapping out its supply chain in terms of what is needed to meet the land and water targets we tested as part of the SBTN pilot. We are delving further into the areas where work still needs to be done.
