Transform

Overview

Transform is where strategy becomes action. Previously in Commit, businesses developed a nature strategy and set science-based targets. Now, in Transform, businesses begin implementing those commitments – embedding nature into decision-making and operations. 

Transform aligns with the Transform phase of the ACT-D: High-Level Business Actions on Nature(Opens in a new tab/window) framework and focuses on avoiding, minimising, restoring, and offsetting impacts on nature. It’s also about engaging across landscapes, industries, and value chains to drive systemic change. Transformation is essential for building a resilient business.

Business transformation

Transformation involves making significant and lasting changes to how a business interacts with nature. It goes beyond minor adjustments. It requires a shift in purpose, systems, decision-making, and operations to ensure nature is considered across all areas of the business.

To transform, businesses need to:

• embed nature integrity and regeneration as a core operating principle – not as an externality or compliance issue
• avoid, reduce, restore and regenerate, and transform its impact on nature – the Science Based Targets Network(Opens in a new tab/window)’s (SBTN) Action Framework, AR3T, provides a mitigation hierarchy that businesses can use
• build nature and resilience into everyday decisions
• collaborate and work with others – within their business, industry and supply chain – to make change happen at a larger scale.

Transformation affects all parts of a business:

• strategy – setting goals that support nature and long-term success
• operations – changing how things are done to reduce harm and support nature (e.g. not just using less water but improving watersheds)
• supply chains – working with suppliers to make sure materials and products are nature-friendly
• finance – using tools like green bonds or biodiversity credits/certificates to support nature-positive investments
• governance – making sure leaders and decision-makers are responsible for nature-related risks and opportunities.

Examples of transformation include:

• using regenerative agriculture to improve soil health and support biodiversity
• creating nature-aligned financial products that help fund projects that protect or restore nature.

‘A financially viable business entity [is one] whose value proposition and rationale are centred around nature positive principles.’ – Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (Opens in a new tab/window)

Business transformation matters

Transformation is about more than meeting targets. It means tackling the root causes of nature loss – such as unsustainable practices and supply chain impacts – and aligning the business's operations with global nature goals and standards.

Taking this high-level action helps businesses:

• build long-term resilience and stay competitive
• drive innovation by working with nature, not against it
• earn trust from stakeholders, regulators and investors.

Transformation shows businesses are serious about protecting nature and creating a better future – for the environment and the economy.