Target setting process questions
Here we provide answers to common technical questions that companies have as they are going through the target-setting process.
Our target-setting process
The SBTN target-setting process is divided into five steps: Assess, Prioritize, Set targets, Act, and Track. The five-step journey guides companies from assessment and prioritization to target-setting, action, and progress tracking. Steps 1–3 provide the methods for setting science-based targets for nature, Step 4 provides implementation guidance, and Step 5 will focus on tracking progress over time.
Latest news: Science-Based Targets for Nature 2.0 are here
The next phase in SBTN’s corporate methods and guidance brings together updates across the SBTN company journey — helping companies assess and prioritize impacts more efficiently, set expanded land and freshwater targets, and plan for credible implementation.
Companies can start by using accelerated pathways – a flexible approach to get started faster and scale action over time. The Step Up for Nature initiative builds on this progress – so companies can collectively signal their ambition for science-based nature action. Learn from the companies leading the way.
Companies begin the target-setting journey by assessing environmental impacts and prioritizing locations to take action. Next, they set targets across freshwater, land, and ocean. Biodiversity is integrated across our guidance, and climate targets are set via our partner organization, the Science Based Targets initiative.
Technical guidance for Assess, Prioritize, Set targets, and Act is available now, with further guidance on Track coming soon. We also have cross-step guidance available.
Explore all of our latest guidance via the target-setting guide below.
Step 1: Assess
Determine which activities are material for target setting and collect data on your environmental pressures, the state of nature in your value chain locations, and your dependencies on nature.
Step 2: Prioritize
Prioritize locations in your direct operations and across your value chains where science-based targets can have the greatest positive impact on nature.
Step 3: Set targets
Set science-based targets for nature by determining your baselines and target ambition levels using regionally relevant ecological thresholds that safeguard biodiversity and nature across freshwater, land, ocean, and climate (via SBTi).
Step 4 - Act
Implement your targets by integrating effective and feasible interventions and social and biodiversity safeguards into an action plan. Use dedicated resources, including guidance on best practices, the response options database, and action templates to support your implementation.
Step 5 - Track
Collaborative guidance for measuring, reporting, and verifying progress toward targets is currently pending resourcing. In the meantime, prepare for MRV by maintaining records of your activities, baselines, interventions, and progress throughout Steps 1-4.
Cross-step guidance
Here you can find technical guidance and supporting resources that are relevant across the target-setting process, including FAQs, how science-based targets for nature support biodiversity, and stakeholder engagement guidance.
How does it work?
The target-setting process is open source and free to use for all companies. However, to set and disclose official targets, companies must obtain validation through our validation host, the Accountability Accelerator. Companies working toward targets are encouraged to participate in SBTN’s Step Up for Nature initiative, signaling their ambition to take the next step alongside peers.
Getting started
Setting science-based targets for nature represents a significant business opportunity and holds the potential for enormous positive impact both for your organization and the environment. It is an ambitious and comprehensive endeavor that requires the gathering of value chain data, enabling processes to engage with suppliers and local stakeholders, collaborating across the organization, as well as securing leadership buy-in. We have provided initial support and resources to help get you started and aim to provide further resources soon.