Nature target-setting is an essential lever for corporate transformation and transition planning. The Science Based Targets Network’s (SBTN) methodology for corporates was released in 2023 and updated in 2024.  

This briefing brings together the main insights and lessons drawn from the WBCSD’s SBTN Preparer Group and the official SBTN pilot, which ran from 2023 into 2024.  

This briefing: 

• brings together the successes and challenges experienced by members when learning about or engaging with science-based nature targets.  

• proposes an interim, differentiated approach to nature target-setting that a company can build up over time, allowing companies to be held accountable for their nature impacts, thereby accelerating actions to address them.  

The briefing is primarily aimed at any stakeholder active in the nature target-setting space, either framing targets or supporting companies in setting targets. It can also inspire and inform sustainability practitioners driving their company’s approach on nature. 

The actionable insights are based upon the experiences of 12 WBCSD members in our SBTN Preparer Group as well as 8 WBCSD members in the SBTN’s target validation pilot.  

WBCSD’s SBTN Preparer Group was run in collaboration with Quantis, as part of broader work on Nature Action in WBCSD. WBCSD and Quantis will continue to engage with SBTN and businesses to drive continuous improvement of corporate nature target frameworks and the development of value-chain differentiated approaches, aligned with priority actions and metrics.