The Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) has launched Accelerated Pathways, a modular, science-driven approach that enables companies to take credible action on nature more quickly, starting where their data and impact are strongest. The new framework, detailed in the updated Step 1–2 Technical Guidance (v1.2), allows organizations to begin target-setting with a narrower scope by business unit, environmental realm (land, freshwater, or ocean), and/or value chain segment (direct operations or upstream) [1][2].

Unlike earlier approaches requiring full value chain assessment upfront, Accelerated Pathways let companies start small while maintaining full scientific integrity. Each pathway is designed to act as an entry point for companies ready to move forward on nature goals without waiting for enterprise-wide readiness. Over time, organizations are encouraged to scale up to comprehensive coverage across all realms and operations [1].

Under the Business Unit Pathway, large or decentralized companies can begin with specific divisions or regions where sustainability maturity or data availability is strongest. The Environmental Realm Pathway allows companies to focus on the nature realm most relevant to their impacts, such as water-intensive sectors starting with freshwater. Meanwhile, the Value Chain Segment Pathway enables focus on either direct operations or upstream suppliers, depending on where environmental pressures are most material [1].

The Step 1–2 v1.2 update underpins these pathways with three key aims:

1. Feasibility – Streamlined assessments that help companies move into target-setting faster through modular scoping;
2. Updated science and data – Incorporating tools like ENCORE 2024 and refreshed datasets for assessing land and freshwater pressures;
3. Clearer guidance – Enhanced instructions for interpreting Steps 1–2, including cues for alignment with regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) [2].

SBTN emphasizes that Accelerated Pathways are not a relaxation of standards but a pragmatic evolution, designed to help businesses overcome barriers to action while preserving scientific rigor. “It’s about breaking the process down into achievable units, not lowering the bar,” the organization noted [1].

As more companies face mounting expectations to disclose and act on nature-related risks, SBTN’s Accelerated Pathways provide a structured yet flexible blueprint for progress.

At Seneca ESG, our AERA analytics engine and EPIC workflow suite are designed to support companies implementing SBTN-aligned strategies. Through automated data integration, materiality screening, and step-by-step workflow mapping, our software helps sustainability teams identify high-impact business units, assess realm-specific pressures, and track progress against SBTN’s Step 1–3 framework, empowering clients to start faster and scale their nature-positive transition with confidence.

References
[1] Science Based Targets Network. Accelerated Pathways. Retrieved from https://sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org/companies/take-action/accelerated-pathways/

[2] Science Based Targets Network. Technical Guidance Steps 1 & 2 Updates (v1.2). Retrieved from https://sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Technical-Guidance-Steps-1-2-Updates-v1-2.pdf