SBTN 2.0 has been released

The updated guidance suite, launched on 13 October 2026, offers companies a clearer path to get started, progress, and take action. It provides more flexible pathways, broader coverage for freshwater and land targets, new resources to support implementation, and a more stable foundation for long-term adoption.

As the business implications of nature-related impacts and dependencies become increasingly clear, the demand for credible corporate action continues to grow.

However, this release is far more than just a technical update. Built on years of scientific development, consultations, partner contributions, and early corporate adoption, it directly responds to what companies and partners have been calling for. While many companies already have nature-related work underway, data gaps, limited traceability, and complex value chains can make it challenging to translate this work into clear decisions. It is often unclear where to focus, what level of ambition is required, and how to credibly demonstrate progress. The newly released SBTN 2.0 directly addresses these challenges by updating SBTN’s corporate methods, guidance, and tools across the entire target-setting journey—from assessment and prioritisation through target setting and implementation—to provide a clearer, more practical path to credible action.

“Nature loss has accelerated, and companies cannot afford to wait for perfect data, perfect visibility, or perfect conditions before taking action. Science-Based Targets for Nature 2.0 offers companies a pragmatic way to act now—focusing efforts where they matter most, while maintaining the scientific rigor and accountability required for credible action,” said Erin Billman, Executive Director of the Science Based Targets Network.

The suite is launched ahead of the COP17 conference, where governments will assess progress toward global biodiversity goals.

A Clearer Path

More options to get started and make progress

New and updated pathways offer companies more options depending on their readiness, data, and traceability, including focused scopes, supplier engagement targets, and phased validation.

Broader freshwater and land coverage

Updates to the freshwater component strengthen the approach to groundwater and expand freshwater quality coverage to pesticide impacts.

Land methods expand pathways for working lands regeneration and restoration, as well as for sectors such as mining, infrastructure, construction, and extractives.

Further support for implementation

New Step 4 resources help companies transition from target setting to action planning.

Stronger connectivity across steps

Version 2.0 aims to more effectively link target setting with related assessment, disclosure, and transition-planning processes.

Practicality without compromise

Greater practicality does not mean lowering the bar. The place-based approach is strengthened, and independent validation alongside transparent disclosure remain core to the SBTN approach.

Investor expectations reinforce the need for scientific rigor. According to the TNFD 2026 Status Report, 93% of surveyed investors indicated that they want corporate nature-related targets to be science-based.

More than 300 companies across 40 countries are currently applying SBTN methods, with an additional 45 companies publicly committing to set science-based targets for nature. To date, over 60 land and freshwater targets have been validated across 18 companies.

Connecting Corporate Nature Approaches

Science-Based Targets for Nature 2.0 is being released alongside major updates from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Nature Positive Initiative (NPI). [We reported on the launch of TNFD LEAP 2.0 here] Together, these releases reflect growing convergence across corporate nature approaches.

While the TNFD supports organisations in assessing and disclosing nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities, SBTN supports companies in setting science-based targets and taking action on nature. The two organisations have strengthened their alignment, allowing companies to more confidently reuse relevant data, analyses, and outputs across their approaches.

The State of Nature Indicators and Metrics led by the Nature Positive Initiative (NPI) provide a shared measurement foundation; relevant components of both the TNFD and SBTN are now aligned around evaluating and measuring the state of nature.

Together, these publications help companies reduce duplication, work with greater consistency, and more effectively connect assessment, measurement, disclosure, target setting, and action.

SBTN 2.0 also provides a more stable foundation for long-term implementation. Beyond the forthcoming Ocean update, SBTN anticipates that future developments to the current suite of methods will focus primarily on targeted refinements rather than further major revisions.

What’s New in SBTN 2.0: Step by Step

Step 1 – Assess & Step 2 – Prioritize

• Step 1: Assess helps companies identify and assess their impacts on nature across their value chains.

• Step 2: Prioritize helps companies determine where action and target setting are likely to deliver the greatest benefits for nature.

Together, these steps help companies make informed decisions on where to act, channel resources where they matter most, and establish a credible baseline for setting science-based targets for nature.

Updates in version 2.0 include:

• Improved assessment methods: Helping companies build upon existing data, assessments, and disclosures, fostering stronger interoperability across related corporate nature frameworks, expanding coverage of environmental pressures, and more clearly incorporating nature-related dependencies.

• Clearer prioritization methods: Leveraging decision-useful data on pressures, the state of nature, and biodiversity, alongside dependencies and business context to determine what targets should focus on.

• Multiple pathways forward: Creating clearer pathways to target setting where traceability is sufficient, as well as setting targets aimed at improving traceability where gaps remain.

Access the latest guidance and tools: for [Step 1: Assess] and [Step 2: Prioritize].

Step 3: Target Setting – Freshwater

Science-based targets for freshwater help companies take measurable, time-bound action that delivers positive outcomes for ecosystems, communities, and local water users.

The updated methods enable companies to address a broader range of freshwater pressures, apply guidance across more diverse contexts, and move from assessment to credible action through clearer and more practical target-setting pathways.

Building on existing freshwater methods for water quantity and nutrient pollution, version 2 strengthens groundwater target setting and expands freshwater quality coverage to pesticide-related impacts. These updates will be especially relevant for sectors with material freshwater footprints across their operations and value chains, such as food and agriculture, beverage manufacturing, fashion and textiles, and chemicals.

Access the latest guidance and tools: [Freshwater Targets].

Step 3: Target Setting – Land

SBTN’s land targets help companies address major drivers of degradation—such as habitat conversion and land-use change—and drive positive outcomes by incentivizing landscape-scale restoration, pollution reduction, and stakeholder collaboration.

The updated methods aim to make science-based targets for land more practical to set and implement by providing clearer requirements, more flexible pathways, stronger accounting guidance, and expanded options for managing working lands, all while maintaining the rigorous, place-based approach needed to align action with ecological limits.

The most notable updates apply to the Land Footprint Reduction target, which is now part of the broader Working Lands Regeneration and Restoration Target. This target now integrates both land area and land quality components, giving companies more ways to reduce their land footprint, integrate nature into working lands, and improve land management practices tied to ecosystem health. The “No Conversion of Natural Ecosystems” target introduces a dedicated pathway for mining, infrastructure, construction, and extractives sectors, reflecting sector-specific operating realities, while the “Landscape Engagement” target features more targeted updates.

Companies also gain clearer guidance on quantifying land-related impacts through the new AGILE guidance, which supports measuring and accounting for land impacts across direct operations and value chains. AGILE helps companies calculate baselines and footprints, and prepare target submissions for validation.

Access the latest guidance and tools: [Land Targets].

Step 3: Target Setting – Ocean

Following the publication of SBTN’s initial seafood targets in 2025, early-mover companies piloted the guidance to set and validate targets for wild-capture fisheries and aquaculture. In September 2026, three pilot companies publicly adopted the first seafood targets. Starting October 2026, any company can submit science-based targets for seafood for validation through the Accountability Accelerator.

SBTN plans to develop a Version 2 for ocean targets in the future, subject to funding and capacity. Expansion is planned for other key ocean economy sectors, including shipping, offshore renewable energy, coastal development, and tourism.

Access the guidance: [Seafood Targets].

Step 4: Act

The 2026 release of Step 4 resources supports companies in moving from target setting to action planning by identifying relevant response options, assessing feasibility, and linking science-based targets to broader nature and climate transition planning.

Resources include new guidance, an expanded response option database, and a corporate action plan template. These tools help identify actions with multi-target benefits, design robust action plans, and implement safeguards for nature and people.

Because implementation varies by corporate context, Step 4 is not designed for validation. Instead, it provides flexible guidance and practical tools to help plan credible implementation that reflects business models, target scope, local context, and stakeholder needs.

Access the latest [Step 4: Action Resources].

What Does This Mean for Companies Already Underway?

The 2026 release builds on SBTN’s existing methods, meaning companies do not need to pause their work; those already progressing toward targets can continue doing so. SBTN is providing transition guidance to support alignment as the updated methods are rolled out.

• Companies with validated progress: Validated work remains valid for 5 years. Companies do not need to re-do previously validated steps.

• Companies currently working on Steps 1 and 2: There is no need to pause. Companies using the previous version of Steps 1 and 2 can continue doing so; validation services for existing method versions remain open until April 2027 (six months after the V2 release). Companies may also use previous Steps 1 and 2 with the new Land and Freshwater V2 targets (Step 3) without repeating earlier work—they simply submit V2.0 data templates for any additional pressure indicators not covered in their initial assessment alongside their Step 3 submission. Companies using earlier Steps 1 and 2 guidance (v1.2) can also add forthcoming supplier engagement and traceability improvement targets during validation. These additional validated target types are fully compatible with v1.2 guidance and remain distinct from Step 3 science-based targets.

• Companies preparing for Step 3 targets: Companies preparing land or freshwater targets using previous methods should continue their work. For land targets, work using Land V1 remains valid for submission until April 2027 (six months post-launch). For freshwater, V2 validation services are expected to open in December 2026 to incorporate insights from the corporate pilot; work using Freshwater V1.1 remains valid for submission until June 2027 (six months after V2 validation opens). SBTN provides transition guidance to help companies assess implications for target-setting plans and submission timelines.

• Companies just getting started: Science-Based Targets for Nature 2.0 offers a more practical route to assessing and prioritizing impacts, setting expanded land and freshwater targets, and planning credible execution. Companies should begin with Step 1: conduct an assessment and reach out to corporate-engagement@sbtnetwork.org to discuss next steps.

We Can Help You Take the Next Step

If you are looking to conduct a biodiversity impact assessment for your company or project, we are here to support you. We help you map your dependencies and impacts on nature, identify where to act first, and lay the groundwork for further alignment with SBTN and TNFD. Feel free to contact us via the details on our Contact page to explore how we can assist you.