Start an Initiative

SBTN Regional Initiatives and Accelerators are open to a range of organizations that have the convening power, regional presence, and credibility to engage the corporate sector on nature. Eligible host organizations include:

• UN Global Compact Local Networks with established corporate membership and sustainability programming
• NGOs and conservation organizations (e.g., WWF national offices, IUCN members) with corporate engagement mandates
• Business councils and industry associations with cross-sector reach and sustainability-focused member companies
• Sustainability consultancies and advisory firms with technical expertise in environmental target-setting, disclosure, or value chain assessment
• Government-affiliated agencies and development organizations working on corporate sustainability policy, biodiversity strategies, or green economy transitions
• Academic and research institutions partnering with industry on applied environmental science or corporate sustainability

You do not need to be an existing SBTN partner to start a conversation. However, you will need to demonstrate the capacity to convene companies, coordinate a program, and — for Accelerators — ensure access to verified technical expertise.

Hosting an SBTN Regional Initiative or Accelerator is more than a sustainability partnership — it’s a strategic investment in your organization’s positioning, reach, and impact. Here’s what host organizations gain:

Thought Leadership & Credibility

Position your organization at the forefront of the nature-positive transition. As an official SBTN regional partner, you are recognized globally as a leader helping companies translate the latest science into action — strengthening your voice in policy conversations, at conferences, and across your stakeholder network.

Pipeline Building & Deepened Relationships

Regional programs create a structured touchpoint with companies that are actively investing in sustainability. For consultancies, this builds a direct pipeline of engaged prospects who will need ongoing advisory support. For membership organizations and networks, it deepens relationships with existing members and attracts new ones through a high-value, differentiated offering.

Market Differentiation

Science-based targets for nature are an emerging area, and most regions do not yet have a dedicated program. Launching one positions your organization as the go-to hub for corporate nature action in your market — ahead of competitors and aligned with where regulation (CSRD, TNFD, Kunming-Montreal GBF) and investor expectations are heading.

Measurable Regional Impact

Move beyond awareness-raising to drive concrete, measurable corporate outcomes on nature. Accelerator cohorts produce validated targets and documented progress — tangible evidence of the impact your organization is enabling, which strengthens your case for funding, partnerships, and continued mandate.

Access to SBTN’s Global Network & Resources

Benefit from SBTN’s official recognition, co-branding, training materials, method updates, Helpdesk access, and a communications toolkit. You join a global community of regional partners sharing best practices and learning from each other.

Regional Initiatives are ideal for regions where corporate awareness of SBTN is still emerging, or where a formal accelerator structure is not yet feasible. They lay the groundwork for future structured programs.

Steps to Launch a Regional Initiative

1. Reach out to SBTN: Contact the SBTN Corporate Engagement team (corporate-engagement@sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org) for an exploratory conversation about regional needs and opportunities.
2. Assess the regional landscape: Identify the level of corporate awareness, existing sustainability networks, regulatory drivers, and potential partner organizations in your region.
3. Define your scope: Determine the geographic scope, target audience, language requirements, and types of activities you plan to convene (e.g., webinars, workshops, translation efforts).
4. Co-develop objectives with SBTN: Align on shared goals, key activities, a communications approach, and how the initiative will connect to SBTN’s broader engagement strategy.
5. Establish a partnership agreement: Formalize the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Terms of Use agreement with SBTN.
6. Launch and convene: Begin activities focused on awareness building, stakeholder engagement, and early-stage company mobilization.
7. Report progress: Share regular updates with SBTN on activities, company engagement, and emerging opportunities for deeper collaboration.

Regional Initiatives typically require 9–18 months to progress from initial market penetration and corporate awareness-building to active implementation. Planning for this timeline will help set realistic expectations with stakeholders.

Regional Accelerators are the flagship mechanism for moving companies through the technical funnel toward validated science-based targets for nature. They are best suited for regions where there is already a base level of corporate interest and awareness, and where a convening partner has the capacity to deliver a structured, cohort-based program.

Steps to Launch a Regional Accelerator

1. Reach out to SBTN: Contact the SBTN Corporate Engagement team (corporate-engagement@sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org) to discuss your region’s readiness and explore the accelerator model. 
2. Co-develop goals, curriculum, and timeline: Work with SBTN to design a shared objective, a co-developed learning journey covering SBTN steps, and a clear schedule with milestones. Programs typically run 6–12 months.
3. Identify your technical support model: Determine who will provide technical facilitation. This should be an SBTN-endorsed Referral Program member, or your team must include someone who has completed all SBTN Train-the-Trainer assessments and has experience supporting companies through target validation.
4. Establish a funding model: Define how the program will be financed. Options include participant fees, foundation or government grants, sponsor support, in-kind contributions, or a combination. Ensure the engagement is properly resourced before launch.
5. Identify and assess target companies: Recruit companies that demonstrate readiness: validated or committed SBTi targets, identified SBTN-relevant impacts (e.g., land use, freshwater), internal buy-in, and commitment to submitting at least Step 1. Avoid including direct competitors in the same cohort.
6. Sign MOU with SBTN: Formalize the partnership through the SBTN Preparer Groups Terms of Use, outlining roles, responsibilities, branding, data sharing, and intellectual property arrangements.
7. Launch with a focus on Step validation: Run the accelerator with a structured curriculum that leads towards validation, including facilitated learning sessions, data exercises, homework assignments, technical Q&A, office hours, and progress tracking.
8. Track and report company progress: Monitor company progression through SBTN steps and share engagement metrics with SBTN on a bi-annual (or at minimum annual) basis.