At Climate Week NYC, Leading Companies Step Up for Nature
New York, September 24, 2025 – At Climate Week NYC, the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) is announcing the latest corporate progress on nature, launching new pathways to help companies act faster, and previewing a campaign to broaden participation.
Leading companies stepping up for nature
Through the Science Based Targets Network, companies are advancing on multiple fronts to respond to the urgent decline of nature, which they rely on for resources, supply chain resilience, and long-term growth.
Danish Pelagic Producers Organization, Musholm, Orkla Foods Sweden, Seatopia and Waitrose have joined a pilot to set the first ocean science-based targets for the seafood sector, using SBTN’s recently released guidance. Their work will be independently validated through the Accountability Accelerator, SBTN’s validation host.
“The target-setting process is already delivering real value, giving us sharper insights and helping align our business with what the ocean needs. We are excited to continue this journey and to be one of the first companies with science-based targets for seafood.” – Teis Volstrup, Head of Public Affairs & Communications, Musholm A/S
“By joining this pilot, we aim to strengthen our risk and opportunity assessment to support science-based action to address challenges across our seafood value chains.” – Lars Lundahl, Environment & Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Orkla Foods Sweden
Arla, the world’s fifth-largest dairy company and one of Europe’s largest cooperatives, has validated its materiality assessment and prioritization work using SBTN’s methods, through independent review by the Accountability Accelerator. This marks the first disclosure of an earlier validation milestone in the target-setting process; giving companies flexibility to be recognized where they are, while generating critical insights to guide strategy.
At the next stage of action, GSK, the global biopharma company, has validated its land science-based targets through the Accountability Accelerator, building on its freshwater target approved last year and reinforcing its commitment to taking action on nature.
“Protecting nature is critical to safeguarding human health and building resilience in our supply chains. As a global biopharma company with science at its core, we recognise the importance of taking a science-based approach to nature. We’re proud to now have validated SBTN Land targets, in addition to our existing Freshwater targets. This is an important step in the action we’re taking across our value chain to reduce our impact on nature at the same time as building business resilience.” – Claire Lund, VP Sustainability, GSK
These milestones reflect a broader surge of progress. Ten companies already have validated freshwater and land targets – with three, Kering, Holcim, and GSK, having made theirs public. Twelve multinational companies are currently validating their science-based assessments and targets. In all, 150 companies are preparing to set science-based targets for nature, with at least $5.5 trillion in market capitalization already represented – underscoring the scale of ambition now underway.
Helping companies move faster: accelerated pathways
To support more companies to move faster, SBTN has launched accelerated pathways – a flexible approach enabling earlier action where companies have the most traction and where nature needs it most. This modular entry-point helps companies demonstrate credible progress without compromising scientific integrity, while laying the foundation to scale toward full target coverage over time.
“We’ve heard from companies that they want to move forward, but need practical ways to begin. Accelerated Pathways provide that flexibility – helping businesses start where they have the most traction while ensuring their actions remain rooted in science,” said Erin Billman, Executive Director, Science Based Targets Network.
Looking ahead: Step Up for Nature
SBTN will soon be launching a new campaign inviting companies to Step Up for Nature – wherever they are on their journey. Companies will be able to publicly signal their next step towards science-based targets for nature (e.g., submitting their materiality assessment for validation or setting freshwater targets), contributing to a transparent picture of collective progress.
Companies can register their interest via this landing page.
By the time of the 2026 Global Biodiversity Stocktake, this movement aims to demonstrate the scale of corporate ambition and progress – showing how the private sector can lead the way in delivering measurable nature-positive outcomes through science-based action.
