If you are a fishing or outdoor brand, you already know that your business is 100% dependent upon a healthy environment. If you also understand the Laws of Nature, know that for billions of years, nature has operated under a simple truth: everything is connected, nothing is wasted, and balance sustains life, therefore, nature is the foundation of every business. Whether you manufacture products, operate supply chains, grow materials, or provide consumer goods, your company depends on healthy ecosystems to function. As biodiversity loss accelerates and climate impacts intensify, leading brands are taking the next step in sustainability by setting Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN).
These targets help companies understand their impacts on nature, reduce risk, strengthen supply chain resilience, and meet rising retailer expectations. And now, through the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) Corporate Engagement Program, Emerger Strategies is helping companies adopt credible, science-backed nature strategies that protect both the planet and business performance.
What Are Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN)?
Science-Based Targets for Nature (SBTN) give companies a rigorous framework to measure, prioritize, and act on their impacts across five key areas:
- Land
- Freshwater
- Oceans
- Biodiversity
- Climate (integrated with the Science Based Targets initiative)
SBTN moves businesses beyond GHG emissions alone and helps them manage their full environmental footprint. It answers essential questions like:
- Where does our business depend most on nature?
- Where are we causing the greatest impacts?
- What actions will reduce risk and create meaningful, measurable benefits for nature?
SBTN is quickly becoming the global standard for credible nature action—similar to how the SBTi became the leading framework for climate targets.
Why Brands Should Set Science-Based Targets for Nature
1. Mitigate Business Risk
Nature loss presents growing operational, financial, and reputational risks – but also opportunities for innovation and resilience.
SBTN provides a structured approach to identify and reduce these risks before they become costly problems.
2. Prepare for Future Regulations
Governments and jurisdictions are moving toward mandatory nature-related disclosures. From the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures) to country-level biodiversity requirements, nature regulations are expanding fast.
Setting science-based targets positions companies ahead of these requirements—rather than scrambling to catch up.
3. Meet Retailer and Customer Expectations
Major retailers like Walmart, Target, REI, and others are increasingly asking suppliers to measure impacts beyond carbon. Biodiversity, water, land use, and circularity are emerging as evaluation criteria.
Brands that set SBTN targets demonstrate leadership, transparency, and environmental responsibility—strengthening their position in retail sustainability assessments.
4. Increase Efficiency and Reduce Costs
A Nature Strategy often identifies opportunities to:
- Reduce costs
- Uncover hidden risks in your supply chain
- Implement circularity or regenerative practices
- Streamline manufacturing impacts
These changes can lead to lower operating costs, improved resource efficiency, and enhanced supply chain stability.
5. Strengthen Brand Value and Trust
Consumers increasingly prefer brands that protect the environment—not just in marketing, but through measurable action.
Setting SBTN targets signals that your company is committed to credible, science-based nature action—not greenwashing. It builds trust, reputation, and long-term loyalty.
6. Future-Proof Your Business
Healthy ecosystems create stable business conditions. Protecting nature increases resilience against climate change, resource shortages, and supply chain disruptions.
SBTN isn’t just good for the planet—it’s smart business strategy.
How Emerger Strategies Helps You Set Science-Based Targets for Nature
Joining the SBTN Corporate Engagement Program allows Emerger Strategies to help companies take clear, credible action without overwhelm. You don’t need a full-time sustainability team—we simplify the entire process.
1. Nature Assessment
This step gives you a high-level understanding of environmental materiality of your activities and an overview of the pressures and the state of nature associated with your value chain.
2. Prioritize
Prioritize areas where action has the biggest overall impact, considering actions from your operations and across your value chain to the landscapes surrounding your value chain.
3. Set Targets
This step is where you set and validate your science-based targets. Depending on your material impacts, you can set targets for freshwater, land, ocean, and climate (via SBTi).
4. Act
The methods for this step are in the planning stage, and will include actions you can take to meet your targets. In the meantime, we support your brand by following the SBTN initial guidance.
5. Reporting & Communications
We simplify disclosures and help you communicate your nature progress clearly and credibly—without the technical confusion.
Why Work With Emerger Strategies?
- We simplify sustainability for brands with limited time, staff, or expertise.
- We make the business case for nature, so every action supports ROI and resilience.
- We know the fishing, outdoor, and consumer goods industries deeply.
- We understand retailer expectations and help your brand stay ahead of them.
We are in business to protect what we love: nature, and we have been helping fishing and outdoor brands make the business case for sustainability since 2016. Let’s protect what we love, together.
Ready to Set Science-Based Targets for Nature?
If your brand is ready to take credible, science-based action for nature, we’re here to help.
Contact Emerger Strategies by filling out the form below, or check out our Nature Strategy & Science-Based Targets for Nature service to get started with your Nature Strategy.
