The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) has appointed the Accountability Accelerator to host validation of its corporate science-based targets for nature. The Accountability Accelerator is part of the Global Commons Alliance – a collaborative of philanthropists and practitioners focused on creating a comprehensive accountability ecosystem to scale corporate action on nature. The move marks an important step towards ensuring an independent and rigorous evaluation process for companies submitting their science-based targets for nature, the SBTN said. As an interim assurance provider, the Accountability Accelerator will evaluate each company submitting science-based nature targets for validation through an independent expert review process consisting of internal and external validators. The process will check companies’ compliance against requirements to ensure their targets are robust and in line with science, supporting the public claims they can make once their targets have been validated. The accelerator is currently finalising its governance model and building a dedicated platform to facilitate submissions, and is recruiting and training validators. “Achieving global net zero ambitions won’t be possible without halting and reversing nature loss, and science-based targets for nature are a vital means for enabling companies to take ambitious, measurable action,” said Erin Billman, Executive Director of the SBTN. The SBTN has called for expressions of interest from companies wanting to use the target validation services, which are expected to launch later this year. The open call comes as SBTN’s corporate pilot to implement the first targets for nature – which has provided insights to strengthen its framework and methods – comes to an end.
