Reflections and progress from SBTN in 2025

Explore a summary of the collective progress made by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) community in 2025, and a preview of what’s to come in 2026.

At a glance – SBTN’s top 2025 highlights

• Companies are stepping up for nature: With over 150 companies preparing to set targets, 25 companies across a wide range of sectors and regions have now publicly signaled their next intended steps towards science-based targets for nature. These companies follow in the footsteps of the first companies to set and validate land and freshwater targets, with more than 50 land and freshwater targets validated to date.

• New technical guidance expands the feasibility and applicability of target-setting: SBTN launched the first Ocean science-based targets for seafood, held public consultations on expanded Freshwater and Land targets, and introduced accelerated pathways to help companies move more quickly while building targets over time. 

• New services and support help companies progress along the target-setting journey: Validation services were launched through the Accountability Accelerator – enabling companies to receive an independent stamp of approval at each step toward target-setting. SBTN launched new capacity-building resources and technical support platforms for companies and consultancies.

Corporate progress 

Companies stepping up for nature

25 companies publicly shared their next intended milestones towards science-based targets for nature. Marking a new phase of engagement, companies from China, India, U.S, and Sri Lanka and sectors such as automotive have joined the Step Up for Nature initiative. 

Companies announcing validated progress

• Global building materials and solutions company Holcim announced three new Freshwater quantity targets.
• Global pharmaceutical company GSK announced its new Land science-based targets.
• Arla Foods, the 5th largest dairy company in the world, disclosed its materiality assessment and prioritization milestones (Steps 1 & 2) using SBTN’s methods, marking the first public disclosure of its kind. 

New pilot programs accelerate company readiness

Using new SBTN guidance, over 30 companies participated in pilots to gain hands-on experience with target-setting, and provide feedback.  This included:

• Ocean guidance pilot: Six first-mover companies, including Danish Pelagic Producers Organization, Musholm, Orkla Foods Sweden, Seatopia and Waitrose, began a pilot to set & validate seafood targets, with an additional six companies engaging in the pilot as observers. 
• Land V2 guidance pilot: Three companies including Novo Nordisk and UPM-Kymmene, are piloting Version 2 Land guidance, with 17 additional observers. 
• Joint pilots: Collaboration with the Taskforce for Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and Nature Positive Initiative (NPI) engaged additional companies to advance shared approaches.

A growing foundation of corporate participation

• SBTN’s Corporate Engagement Program now includes 300 members across 40 countries; including companies, consultancies, and NGOs working together to advance corporate progress. Companies participating in the program represent over $5.5T in market capitalization. 
• 10 companies have gone through the validation process to date, with over 50 science-based targets validated. Over 40 additional intended validation milestones are now publicly listed on the Ambition Board, signalling continued growth in 2026. 

Guidance advancements 

• The first ocean science-based targets launched in March 2025, starting with the seafood sector to address impacts from wild capture fishing and aquaculture. 
• Public consultations for Version 2 Land and Freshwater guidance generated strong engagement with over 65 responses from 25+ companies, 20+ NGOs, and other stakeholders. Both available for use by mid 2026:
  • Land V2 expands with working land regeneration and restoration targets and new science to enable more targeted and effective action. 
  • Freshwater V2 expands to address toxic chemicals, with a focus on pesticides, and unsustainable groundwater extraction.  
• Updates to Step 1 (Assess) and Step 2 (Prioritize), grounded in the latest science, offered companies improved clarity and feasibility, including accelerated pathways.

Resources and support to drive action

• Accelerated pathways allow companies to start with a focused scope and expand over time. These new pathways build on a wider set of feasibility enhancements SBTN released. 
• Validation services, through the Accountability Accelerator, opened for Steps 1-3 of the target-setting process.
•  Capacity-building: Learning resources and nine regional accelerators supported companies worldwide.
• Service provider program: 85 trained providers now support companies through the process.
• Technical support: Over 100 FAQs published in a new, searchable knowledge base and 500 technical inquiries addressed through SBTN’s online helpdesk.
• New practical resources including a textile sector toolkit, and user guides for Step 1: Assess and Step 3: Set Land targets help companies apply the SBTN methods across sectors.

SBTN in the global nature action ecosystem

Interoperability and recognition across frameworks

Science-based targets for nature continue to be recognized as a transformative force within the wider nature action landscape and are referenced within some of the most important nature frameworks available for companies, including: 

• IPBES Business and Biodiversity upcoming assessment – SBTN is described as a key initiative for enabling corporate action on biodiversity.
• Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures’s (TNFD) recommendations recognize SBTN as the credible corporate target-setting mechanism and a critical component of nature transition planning. 
• UNCCD’s Business for Land Guide cites SBTN as the key corporate mechanism to contribute to global land goals 
• Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) disclosure requirements, where SBTN is reference as guidance to set targets, filling the “how much, where and when” gap.

Visibility at key convenings

SBTN contributed to high-profile events throughout the year, including Davos, Seafood Expo North America, UN Ocean Conference, London Climate Week, World Water Week, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Bloom, COP30 and ran a flagship event at Climate Week NYC showcasing the latest business leadership on science-based targets for nature. 

Looking ahead

In mid-2026, SBTN will release its second and final major technical guidance update, expanding coverage across land, freshwater, and ocean, while existing guidance already enables credible action today. Additional resources will support implementation, measurement, and biodiversity integration.

SBTN will also announce the next cohort of companies stepping up for nature in early 2026, including participation from new sectors such as mining and extractives, with further validated progress to follow.

Leadership update: SBTN will welcome Charlie Henderson as Market Development Director in January 2026, strengthening our ability to scale corporate adoption. Read the announcement.