.jpg)
Oliver and Laureen took part on 24th June in the National Business Initiative's Peer Learning and Discussion webinar aimed at South African companies. Fola’s contribution was a deep-dive session on the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) framework and its practical alignment with the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).
The session, co-led by Oliver and Laureen, brought together business leaders, and sustainability practitioners from across the African continent for a timely conversation on what credible corporate nature action looks like in practice.
Our session covered the SBTN five-step target-setting process, from materiality screening and value chain assessment, through to setting and validating science-based targets for freshwater and land before exploring how each step directly feeds into TNFD's LEAP assessment approach (Locate, Evaluate, Assess, Prepare).
A central theme of the session was efficiency: companies undertaking SBTN Steps 1 to 3 are simultaneously generating the data and evidence needed for TNFD LEAP phases L, E, A and P. Both frameworks draw from the same underlying data ecosystem meaning the two workstreams are far more integrated in practice than they might first appear. Examples tools mentioned were ENCORE, IBAT, and Global Forest Watch
The session also drew on real-world examples, including Kering's validated science-based target for freshwater quantity in the Arno basin, one of the first three companies globally to achieve SBTN validation together with Holcim and GSK in the SBTN’s 2024 pilot, to show participants what a credible, location-specific corporate nature target actually looks like.
The session closed with the broader policy context: how SBTN and TNFD together form the most credible implementation pathway for GBF Target 15, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requirement for companies to monitor, assess and disclose their impacts on nature by 2030.
The conversation in the room
The interactive polls throughout the session showed a real spread of maturity levels among participants from those just beginning to explore nature-related frameworks, to others already working through SBTN's assessment steps. If you are unsure where to start on nature, Fola has developed a free maturity assessment that helps you understand your current position on nature and biodiversity, and highlights the most important next steps for your organisation.
