Step 3

Biodiversity within SBTs for nature

SBTN’s foundational approach to target-setting focuses on helping companies address the drivers of biodiversity loss by improving their environmental impacts (e.g., water pollution). 

Biodiversity considerations are integrated throughout our technical guidance.

Biodiversity considerations are incorporated in the initial steps of target-setting through the environmental impact assessment, including the prioritization of sites for target-setting that are critically important for biodiversity and for mitigating biodiversity loss. This knowledge then guides the application of the freshwater and land targets (in Step 3) that focus on ecosystem-scale protection for biodiversity. The forthcoming ocean targets will address additional pressures on biodiversity, including overexploitation from fishing, the protection of endangered and threatened marine species, and the protection of marine habitats.

Therefore, while we currently do not have biodiversity-specific targets, our approach inherently supports biodiversity through comprehensive environmental impact management.

As the scope of science-based targets for nature expands, we acknowledge further technical advances are needed to ensure full coverage for biodiversity. The SBTN Biodiversity Hub is complementing the work to date to more comprehensively address biodiversity loss through integration in the land, freshwater and ocean targets and by addressing additional pressures of invasive species and overexploitation.

For a deeper understanding of how biodiversity is currently integrated within our technical guidance and next steps, please refer to our cross-step guidance section.

Go to Cross-step guidance: Biodiversity