SBTi: climate targets
Greenhouse gas targets, validated by SBTi Services; FLAG covers land-sector emissions.
SBTi standardsSBTi nature · science-based targets for nature
SBTi nature targets? That is SBTN, a separate body
The SBTi sets climate targets only; science-based targets for nature come from the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), a separate organisation that shares four of the SBTi’s founding partners.
Asking about SBTi nature targets usually means one of three things, and the Science Based Targets initiative nature link is closest in its FLAG rules for land-sector emissions.
Who does what
Science Based Targets initiative nature, SBTN and the TNFD: three jobs
A company’s environmental targets
Climate, nature, disclosure
Climate, nature, disclosure
SBTN: nature targets
Freshwater, land and ocean targets, validated by the Accountability Accelerator; climate targets go to the SBTi.
SBTN: take actionTNFD: disclosure
Nature-related reporting; recommends SBTN methods for setting nature targets.
TNFD and SBTN guidance v1.0SBTN
Science Based Targets initiative nature questions: what SBTN does
SBTN uses five steps: “Assess, Prioritize, Set targets, Act and Track”.
Its validation is run by a separate host: “Validation services are available now for land and freshwater targets, with ocean target validation coming soon”, through the Accountability Accelerator, open since 20 February 2025.
Where climate impacts are material, SBTN sends companies to the SBTi: climate targets “are set via our partner organization, the Science Based Targets initiative.”
| SBTN method | Version |
|---|---|
| Steps 1 and 2 (assess and prioritise) | Technical Guidance V1.1, with a V1.2 update |
| Freshwater | V1.1 |
| Land | V1.0 |
| Ocean (seafood) | V1 |
Coming
SBTi nature news: SBTN 2.0, announced for 13 October 2026
SBTN says its updated guidance is “coming on October 13 2026”, and that “Version 2 expands freshwater target-setting to include groundwater and pesticide-related impacts.”
Its land footprint reduction target becomes a broader working land regeneration and restoration target.
Current versions stay open for validation for six months after Version 2, and validated work stays applicable for five years.
Announced, not yet published
On 11 October 2026 SBTN 2.0 had not been released. This page will be revisited after 13 October.
The SBTi’s land rules
Where the Science Based Targets initiative meets nature: FLAG
The SBTi’s nearest rules are its SBTi FLAG targets: climate targets for forest, land and agriculture emissions, with a mandatory public no-deforestation commitment dated no later than 31 December 2030.
Nature disclosure is on the TNFD page; the climate standards are on the SBTi sector guidance page, and the SBTi hub links every guide.
Frequently asked
SBTi nature questions, answered
Does the SBTi set nature targets?
No. The SBTi’s targets are for greenhouse gas emissions.
Science-based targets for nature, such as freshwater, land and ocean, come from the Science Based Targets Network, a separate organisation.
What is the difference between SBTN and SBTi?
SBTN, founded in 2019, sets methods for nature targets and validates them through its host, the Accountability Accelerator; the SBTi sets climate target criteria and SBTi Services validates them.
SBTN says the SBTi is “a separate but related initiative” and sends companies to it for climate targets.
Who founded SBTN?
SBTN says its founding partners are CDP, the World Resources Institute, WWF and the UN Global Compact, which also founded the SBTi, plus Conservation International, UNEP-WCMC and the World Economic Forum.
How does SBTN relate to the TNFD?
The TNFD recommends that companies setting nature targets use SBTN’s methods, in guidance the two published together in September 2023.
The TNFD is about disclosure; SBTN about targets.
What is SBTN 2.0?
SBTN says Science-Based Targets for Nature 2.0 is coming on 13 October 2026, expanding freshwater targets to groundwater and pesticides and broadening its land target.
Until it is published, the current versions apply, and SBTN says they stay open for validation for six months after Version 2.
Do SBTi FLAG targets count as nature targets?
They are climate targets for forest, land and agriculture emissions, with a mandatory no-deforestation commitment.
SBTN’s land targets are a separate, nature-focused set.
Sources
Primary sources
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner.
Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
Checked against 10 sources fromScience Based Targets NetworkTNFD and SBTNScience Based Targets initiative
- Science Based Targets NetworkAbout SBTN
“SBTi is a separate but related initiative”.
- Science Based Targets NetworkTake action
Five steps; validation by the Accountability Accelerator.
- Science Based Targets NetworkScience-Based Targets for Nature 2.0
Announced for 13 October 2026.
- Science Based Targets NetworkResources
Method versions: freshwater, land, ocean.
- TNFD and SBTNGuidance for corporates on science-based targets for nature v1.0
The TNFD recommends SBTN methods.
- Science Based Targets initiativeAbout us
The SBTi’s founding partners.
- Science Based Targets initiativeForest, land and agriculture
The SBTi’s own land-sector climate targets.
- Science Based Targets initiativeFLAG Guidance V1.2
The no-deforestation commitment.
- Science Based Targets initiativeStandards and guidance
Climate targets only.
- Science Based Targets initiativeCorporate Near-Term Criteria V5.3.1
Greenhouse gas targets.