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Quick summary: Discover how the Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) helps businesses set actionable environmental sustainability goals. Learn how aligning with SBTN’s framework can boost credibility, mitigate risks, and contribute to global climate and biodiversity targets.
How can companies ensure their environmental goals are impactful and aligned with global standards? Businesses today face mounting pressure to not only improve their bottom line but also meet growing expectations for sustainability. Science Based Targets Network (SBTN)—a powerful initiative designed to help businesses set credible, science-backed sustainability goals across climate, nature, and water.
However, many businesses still struggle with how to translate these global sustainability challenges into actionable, measurable targets. Without a clear framework, companies risk falling short of their environmental commitments, jeopardizing consumer trust and missing out on long-term growth opportunities.
Key takeaways
In a world where sustainability is at the forefront of every business agenda, companies are under immense pressure to align their operations with global environmental goals. But how do businesses ensure they’re not just setting goals for the sake of it? That’s where the Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) comes in.
The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) is an initiative that helps businesses set science-backed environmental sustainability goals. It provides companies with a clear, standardized framework to measure and track their impact on climate change, biodiversity, and water use. The key? These goals are based on scientific data, ensuring that they’re not just aspirational but achievable and measurable.
SBTN’s approach focuses on three critical areas that businesses need to tackle to drive meaningful sustainability:
One of the biggest benefits of the SBTN framework is that it aligns with global sustainability efforts, like the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This means businesses are not only helping themselves but also contributing to solving global issues.
For businesses today, adopting science-based targets isn’t just about compliance or ticking boxes—it’s about future-proofing their operations. By aligning with SBTN’s framework, companies can demonstrate they’re serious about their environmental responsibilities. More importantly, it helps them meet consumer and investor expectations for sustainable practices, which is increasingly driving market trends.
Take Apple for example. They’ve set ambitious science-based targets, aiming to reduce carbon emissions across their entire supply chain. This not only improves their environmental impact but also strengthens their brand as a leader in sustainability—a major selling point for customers who care about the planet.
With increasing consumer demand for environmental responsibility, strict regulations, and the growing risks posed by climate change, science-based targets are becoming the gold standard for businesses aiming to stay competitive, credible, and compliant.
Consumers today are more aware of the environmental impact of the products they buy. They want to support brands that align their actions with the science behind sustainability goals. When a company sets science-based targets, it shows that they are not just making vague promises about being “green,” but are actually working toward measurable and achievable goals based on scientific evidence.
For example, Patagonia has long been a leader in environmental responsibility. Their commitment to using recycled materials and reducing their carbon footprint isn’t just talk—it’s backed by science-based targets that are in line with global climate goals. As a result, Patagonia enjoys strong consumer loyalty and a reputation for credibility in the sustainability space. When consumers see companies aligning their operations with science-backed sustainability goals, it creates trust. And trust drives sales.
On the flip side, greenwashing—making exaggerated or false claims about sustainability—can severely damage a company’s reputation.
In fact, 79% of consumers say they would stop buying from a brand if they found out it was misleading about its sustainability efforts.
Science-based targets ensure that your sustainability claims are genuine, which builds trust and strengthens your brand’s reputation.
The world is changing rapidly. From the impact of climate change to the increasing demand for regulatory compliance, businesses face environmental and regulatory risks that can jeopardize their operations. By adopting science-based targets, businesses are proactively addressing these risks, helping them future-proof their operations.
For instance, the EU Taxonomy and ESG regulations (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are pushing businesses to disclose their sustainability practices and performance. Companies that fail to meet these regulations may face penalties, investor scrutiny, or a loss of market share. By setting science-based targets, businesses ensure that their sustainability efforts are aligned with global goals, protecting them from the risk of non-compliance.
In addition, businesses that take action on sustainability today can minimize operational risks related to climate impacts. For example, companies in the agricultural sector that fail to address deforestation in their supply chains might face supply chain disruptions or reputation damage. However, companies like Unilever, which have adopted science-based targets to reduce deforestation, not only reduce their environmental impact but also mitigate these risks, ensuring long-term business continuity.
Sustainability is no longer just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a market driver. Companies that adopt science-based targets gain a competitive edge by positioning themselves as leaders in the sustainability-driven market. In fact, many consumers today are willing to pay a premium for products from brands that align with their values. A clear example is Tesla. Their commitment to sustainability, backed by science-based climate targets, has helped them become a dominant player in the electric vehicle market.
Moreover, as investors increasingly prioritize Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, businesses with science-based targets tend to attract more investment.
In fact, 78% of institutional investors are now factoring sustainability into their investment decisions.
By setting ambitious, science-based targets, companies signal to investors that they are committed to long-term sustainability, boosting their financial performance and market share.
Science-based targets also help companies stand out in crowded markets. For example, Coca-Cola has adopted science-based water stewardship targets to ensure they are using water sustainably in their operations. This sets them apart in the beverage industry, where water scarcity is a growing concern, and appeals to consumers and investors who value water conservation.
The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) offers a powerful framework for businesses to set science-backed sustainability goals. It’s all about aligning business practices with the latest scientific research and global sustainability targets to ensure companies are doing their part to tackle climate change, protect nature, and safeguard water resources.
One of the biggest challenges businesses face today is how to reduce their carbon emissions and contribute to the global effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The Paris Agreement set ambitious goals for net-zero emissions, and SBTN helps businesses understand what that looks like for them.
By setting science-based climate targets, companies can identify where their emissions are coming from and what changes they need to make to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, Unilever, a company that has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2039, follows the science-based targets recommended by SBTN. This means that Unilever is not just aiming to reduce emissions but is also aligning with global climate goals, ensuring their actions are part of a broader, scientifically grounded strategy.
These targets push businesses to:
Beyond climate, nature is another critical area for businesses to focus on. We know that biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation have significant impacts on businesses, particularly in sectors like agriculture, food, and forestry. SBTN’s nature targets help businesses contribute to global goals such as halting deforestation and restoring degraded ecosystems.
For instance, Nestlé is working on setting targets to protect and restore biodiversity within its supply chains. By committing to science-based targets for nature, companies like Nestlé are ensuring that their business operations don’t just minimize harm to the environment but also actively contribute to restoration efforts.
A leading agribusiness used TraceX’s sustainability platform to transform its land restoration efforts. By adopting regenerative agriculture techniques, the company improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, and reduced carbon emissions. The platform enabled real-time tracking of sustainability metrics, ensuring transparency and accountability across the entire process. This innovative approach not only supported environmental goals but also positioned the agribusiness as a leader in sustainable farming practices, demonstrating the powerful role of technology in driving positive environmental change.
Setting nature targets is about:
Water scarcity is one of the most pressing environmental issues today, especially in water-stressed regions. SBTN’s water targets help businesses set goals to manage their water use responsibly. This can involve reducing consumption, improving water efficiency, and contributing to the restoration of local water systems.
For example, Coca-Cola has adopted water stewardship practices that align with SBTN’s targets. They focus on replenishing the water they use in water-scarce areas and working to ensure water is available for local communities. This kind of commitment not only helps ensure business sustainability but also supports social responsibility, as water scarcity affects millions of people worldwide.
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The project focused on improving water access and quality in vulnerable communities, directly contributing to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By implementing sustainable water management practices, the initiative enhanced local resilience to climate change, provided clean water to underserved areas, and supported long-term environmental sustainability. This project exemplifies how targeted efforts can drive significant progress towards global sustainability goals, creating a lasting impact on both communities and the planet.
Water targets include:
The beauty of SBTN’s framework is that it’s not just a set of goals for companies to tick off. It’s about integrating sustainability into every aspect of the business. This means businesses need to adopt a long-term mindset and embed these science-based targets into their day-to-day operations.
Take Patagonia, for example. They’ve embedded sustainability into their entire business model, from sourcing sustainable materials to ensuring transparency in their supply chain. By aligning with SBTN’s climate, nature, and water targets, Patagonia is not only meeting their sustainability goals but also creating a competitive advantage by appealing to conscious consumers.
For businesses to succeed with SBTN targets, they need to:
Setting science-based targets is essential for businesses looking to make a measurable impact on sustainability and align with global environmental goals. The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) offers a robust framework to help companies set clear, actionable, and science-backed goals.
The first step in setting science-based targets is to understand where your company stands in terms of its environmental footprint. This means getting a clear picture of your carbon emissions, water usage, and biodiversity impacts. These areas are critical because they play a significant role in the environmental issues we’re facing today.
For example, if you’re a food company like Danone, your carbon footprint might come from production processes, transportation, and packaging. Similarly, your water usage could be high if you rely on water-intensive crops like rice. Identifying your specific environmental impacts will help you target areas where you can make the biggest improvements.
Key Actions:
Once you know your company’s environmental impacts, it’s time to set science-based targets. SBTN provides sector-specific guidelines that tailor the targets to your business’s unique needs. These guidelines help ensure that your goals are not only ambitious but also aligned with the best available scientific research.
For example, if you’re in the agriculture industry, SBTN might guide you to set specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock or improving soil health. The idea is to make your targets actionable and rooted in scientific evidence, ensuring they contribute to larger global goals like the Paris Agreement and UN SDGs.
Key Actions:
Setting science-based targets shouldn’t be confined to just one department or team. It’s crucial to get everyone on board, from operations and procurement to your supply chain and marketing teams. By aligning your environmental goals with various departments, you ensure that sustainability becomes an integrated part of your business strategy.
Take Patagonia, for instance. The company embeds sustainability goals throughout its operations, including using sustainable materials in production and ensuring that supply chain partners align with its environmental standards. This holistic approach helps to drive consistent and impactful results across the company.
Key Actions:
The final step is to monitor your progress, report your results, and make adjustments where needed. This ensures that you’re always on track to meet your targets and can adapt if there are any unforeseen challenges. By establishing a system for continuous tracking and regular updates, you create transparency within your company and with stakeholders.
For example, Unilever uses a system of regular reporting to monitor its sustainability efforts, allowing it to make adjustments and continuously improve. Having an effective monitoring system helps to keep your goals measurable and accountable.
Key Actions:
Setting science-based targets can be a game-changer for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact and stay ahead in today’s sustainability-driven market. But, like any major change, there are hurdles to overcome.
One of the biggest obstacles companies face when setting science-based targets is the lack of accurate data. How do you know how much energy you’re using, how much water is consumed, or how your supply chain is contributing to emissions, if you’re not tracking it? Without solid data, it’s nearly impossible to make informed decisions.
How to Overcome It: The good news is that technology platforms and data analytics have made it easier than ever to gather and track the necessary data for target setting. Using tools like TraceX’s traceability platform, businesses can collect granular data across their operations, from production to the supply chain. This data provides transparency and enables companies to measure their environmental impact accurately.
Setting science-based targets isn’t just about creating goals; it’s about embedding these targets into your day-to-day business operations. For many businesses, integrating sustainability goals into existing processes can feel overwhelming, especially if your operations are large or complex.
How to Overcome It: The key is to break down your targets into smaller, manageable pieces and make them part of your business strategy. For instance, instead of trying to reduce emissions across the entire company all at once, start by targeting your highest-emission processes or key supply chain partners. This makes it easier to integrate targets gradually.
While setting ambitious goals is important, it’s equally critical to set realistic and achievable targets. It’s tempting to set an aggressive target like “become net-zero in 2 years,” but for many businesses, this might not be feasible. So, how do you strike a balance between being ambitious and realistic?
How to Overcome It: Start by assessing your current operations and environmental impact to set realistic benchmarks. Then, break down those goals into achievable steps, focusing on incremental improvements. For example, instead of aiming for a dramatic reduction in emissions all at once, aim to reduce emissions by 10% over the next year, and increase that target in the following years.
The Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) has already made waves in helping businesses align their sustainability goals with the latest scientific research. But just as the world of sustainability continues to evolve, so too does the role of the SBTN.
The environmental challenges businesses face today are more complex and urgent than ever. From shifting climate patterns to the increasing loss of biodiversity, the science around sustainability is constantly evolving. So, how does SBTN keep up with these changes?
SBTN’s evolving standards ensure that businesses are always working with the most current data and best practices. As new scientific findings emerge about climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss, the SBTN framework updates its guidelines to reflect these developments. This allows businesses to set targets that are relevant, actionable, and aligned with the latest environmental realities.
For example, as climate science has become more robust, SBTN has refined its targets to focus not only on net-zero emissions but also on the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems. This integration of nature and biodiversity into corporate sustainability efforts is becoming a key feature of the SBTN framework.
SBTN doesn’t just help businesses—it’s also playing a crucial role in global sustainability movements. We all know that the world’s biggest environmental challenges—like climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity—can’t be solved by individual companies alone. They require global cooperation, alignment, and collective action. That’s where science-based targets come in.
The growing importance of science-based targets lies in their ability to provide a common framework that aligns businesses with broader international sustainability goals, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By setting targets that are based on sound scientific data, businesses not only improve their own sustainability but also contribute to these global efforts.
For example, the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is an ambitious target that requires all sectors—government, business, and civil society—to work together. By setting science-based targets aligned with this goal, businesses help make that target a reality.
The future of SBTN is intertwined with the future of corporate sustainability itself. As the urgency around environmental issues grows, more businesses will look to frameworks like SBTN to guide their sustainability efforts. With its evolving standards and role in global sustainability movements, SBTN is poised to remain at the forefront of corporate climate action.
For companies, embracing SBTN means setting targets that are data-driven, globally aligned, and designed to create measurable impact. In doing so, they not only help address the world’s biggest environmental challenges but also position themselves as leaders in a sustainable future. So, the future of corporate sustainability isn’t just about reducing emissions—it’s about aligning with science, acting with purpose, and driving change that lasts.
he Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) is a global initiative that provides businesses with a framework to set science-based sustainability goals in line with environmental limits. It helps companies define targets for climate, nature, and water that are aligned with international sustainability goals like the Paris Agreement and the UN SDGs.
Adopting the SBTN framework allows businesses to set measurable and credible sustainability targets based on the latest scientific research. This helps improve environmental performance, mitigate risks, and enhance brand reputation, while contributing to global efforts like achieving net-zero emissions and protecting biodiversity.
Businesses set targets by first understanding their environmental impacts—such as carbon emissions, water usage, and biodiversity loss. They then use SBTN’s sector-specific guidelines to tailor goals to their industry, integrate these targets into daily operations, and continuously monitor progress for improvements.
