Can Nature-Based Targets Redefine Corporate Sustainability?
- Muhammad Ahmad
- Oct 31, 2024
- 2 min read
Major companies commit to new ecological goals to protect and restore natural ecosystems
GSK, Holcim, and Kering among the first companies setting targets to support biodiversity
Leading companies like GSK and Holcim adopt nature-focused targets.
Nature-focused Science-Based Targets aim to restore biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The guidance offers steps for integrating nature into corporate sustainability practices.
Recently, GSK, Holcim, and Kering became the first major companies to implement nature-based targets, marking a significant step in corporate sustainability efforts. These targets focus on preserving and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems, setting an example for industries globally. In line with the Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) framework, this approach encourages companies to integrate nature-positive actions directly into their operational goals.
These nature-based targets are crucial because biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation threaten global sustainability efforts and the resilience of communities and industries. By aligning business goals with ecological outcomes, companies can holistically address environmental challenges, contributing to the UN’s sustainable development goals. As part of the ongoing evolution in sustainability practices, nature-focused targets aim to complement the existing carbon reduction goals.
Technical Focus: Nature-Focused Science-Based Targets
Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) provide companies with a structured approach to assessing, committing to, and acting on nature-positive goals. SBTN guides businesses in prioritizing biodiversity and ecosystem health alongside climate goals. The process includes goal-setting across four impact areas: freshwater, land, oceans, and climate.
Under the SBTN framework, companies are setting precise objectives related to their natural resource impacts, making tracking progress in biodiversity and ecological health easier. Kering, for example, has committed to restoring ecosystems through sustainable land use and practices. According to a spokesperson, "Nature-based targets are not only an ethical imperative but a business need in a world where natural resources are finite." This shift demonstrates how corporate responsibility is evolving, integrating deeper ecological concerns into their frameworks.
As more businesses follow in GSK, Holcim, and Kering's footsteps, nature-based targets could redefine corporate responsibility, ensuring industries actively protect our planet’s natural resources. The SBTN framework could become a key element for sustainability, driving corporate strategies towards holistic environmental health.