The Partnership is an engagement partner of the Science Based Targets Network. We aim to be amongst the first organisations to set our own science-based targets for nature to ensure that our activity to protect and restore the natural environment is impactful and science-led.
As part of our commitment to setting science based targets for nature (SBTNs) Waitrose is one of the first five organisations in the world to pilot the new ‘Oceans’ science-based targets for nature. The pilot will help us to understand where our sourcing impacts nature and do our part to halt and reverse nature loss. Taking part in the pilot is a demonstration of our Waitrose commitment to the responsible sourcing of our own label fish and seafood. Through taking part in the pilot we aim to set science-based targets for nature that ensure that we are preserving fish stocks for future generations as well as supporting wider protection of ocean biodiversity and ecosystems local to our seafood supply chains.
As our approach to nature protection and restoration matures, it’s important that we measure and monitor our impact using a science-based approach. In 2024, we began working on target setting as part of the Science Based Targets Network process for companies seeking to create ambitious and measurable targets for the protection and restoration of nature. However, the process is very new and evolving quickly. As a result of changes to guidance, we’ve had to revisit some of the risk analysis that’s required before we can move on to setting meaningful, science-based land and freshwater targets. Once this is complete, we can press ahead with turning targets into action.