Global Commons Alliance

In this month's newsletter, SBTN Executive Director Erin Billman reflects on the new science-based targets for seafood - a key milestone for corporate action to support #ocean health. She also shares some highlights from her week at The Villars Institute Summit: "Coming out of the Summit, I see a significant opportunity for this community to work together toward the first global biodiversity stocktake in 2026, with #ScienceBasedTargets #ForNature as a key mechanism for the corporate sector to do its part to contribute to the Global Biodiversity Framework." Read on in the newsletter below, and find more of the latest SBTN updates.

?? What can companies expect when going through the Accountability Accelerator’s validation process for science-based targets for nature? ? The goal of the validation process is to assess whether companies’ targets, and their target preparation work, are in line with the rules set out by the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN). ??Companies are assigned a lead validator, who conducts an expert review of the information that companies submit and raises any queries or requests for additional data. By working closely with their lead validator, companies can gain a better understanding of the target-setting methods and validation requirements for new target submissions. ?? Companies communicate with their validator using our online validation platform, where they can respond to requests for information and work with the validator to resolve any queries. Once the validation is complete, the validator will prepare a validation report outlining the outcomes, and a feedback call will be offered to the company to walk through the findings of the validation. The whole process takes about nine weeks to complete. ?? While each company’s targets will be different and dependent on their specific characteristics, operations and location, the validation process is key to ensuring the intent of SBTN’s methods is applied consistently across the board. This is what creates a common standard to enable companies and their stakeholders to be sure they are taking action that is aligned with science. Interested in finding out more about how your company can benefit from validation? ?? Watch Renata Pollini from Holcim, one of the first companies to adopt a science-based target for freshwater, talk about her company’s experience going through the validation process: https://lnkd.in/ecxUg2Wu ?? Discover the validation service for science-based targets for nature: https://lnkd.in/g6qkSEtR #ScienceBasedTargets #ForNature #CorporateSustainability #NaturePositive

Are you wondering what systems change is really all about – and how to get involved? Whatever your age, this brilliant guide?for young people from The 50 Percent is well worth a read. ???? From the wildfires in South Korea to flash floods in Spain, the impacts of an unstable #GlobalCommons are everywhere we look. But as the GCA Earth Commission’s?science tells us, if economic systems, resource management and technologies are dramatically transformed, the planet can regain stability. [More info: https://lnkd.in/eD2JN_53] While it is a mammoth task, this scale of systems change is possible within our lifetimes. Last week entrepreneurs, investors, lawyers, scientists and civil society leaders from around the world shared the need to accelerate systems change at The Villars Institute Summit [https://lnkd.in/eHH68DTE]. And the GCA #SystemsChangeLab is already tracking progress across more than 70 critical shifts, from transport to energy and industry: https://lnkd.in/eSUpwH3N ???? But it is overwhelming to know how to be part of this change, especially for young people. That's why young changemakers at The 50 Percent, a platform for young leaders supported by The Club of Rome, have put together a guide filled with knowledge and strategies – with plenty of humor, real-life anecdotes, and practical insights – to make systems thinking accessible and action-oriented for everyone. ??? ?? Get your copy: https://lnkd.in/drvGcz8W ?? Learn more about the program: https://lnkd.in/dhJuBVwj #SystemsChange #YoungChangemakers #The50Percent #ClubOfRome

In a powerful new TEDx talk, Jean Oelwang delivers a critical wake-up call: if we only checked our personal health every seven years, we’d be in crisis. That’s exactly how we’ve treated our planet, until now. The TEDx talk explores how the world’s first comprehensive Planetary Health Check makes the science clear and the urgency is real, yet history has shown us that when humanity unites - as we did to protect the ozone layer - we can achieve what was once thought impossible. Jean reminds us all that this moment demands bold partnerships at an unprecedented scale. The Planetary Guardians are stepping up, but we need all of us to elevate the science, collaborate, and accelerate action. ?? Watch Jean Oelwang’s TEDxBoston talk now and join the movement to forge deep connections that make great things happen. The time is now, we've got this. ?? YouTube link: https://lnkd.in/eSUnvFDs #PartnerToProtect #IAMPG #TEDxBoston Virgin Unite The Elders Foundation The B Team Plus Wonder PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

?? In our latest newsletter,?we reflect that even in times of great division and upheaval, it's still possible to find common ground and unite for change. The Global Commons Alliance and partners joined entrepreneurs, investors, lawyers, scientists and civil society leaders from around the world at The Villars Institute Summit 2025 last week, to spur action for something many of us can agree on: systems change for a Safe and Just future. Read about what happened at the Summit, and get more news from across the Alliance. ?? Subscribe now on: ?? Linkedin https://lnkd.in/eUS-Ftv6 ?? Email https://lnkd.in/d6FcU5f #SystemsChange | #SafeAndJust | #GlobalCommons

?? Just back from an inspiring few days at the 2025 Villars Summit hosted by @The Villars Institute — and what a powerful reminder it was of the momentum building behind systems change for a nature-positive, climate-safe future. In today’s fragmented world, it was deeply energising to be among such a diverse, committed group of global stakeholders — all working toward shared solutions. ???? What stood out? ? The presence of tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and VCs alongside familiar NGO and research names — a crucial signal that multi-sector collaboration is gaining real traction. ?? The fearless curiosity of a table of 17-year-old students, asking all the right questions: “But how is this actionable?” Their clarity cut through—and reminded us what real accountability looks like. ?? Funders leaning in actively—not just writing checks but diving deep into content, collaboration, and co-creating solutions. The Summit underscored how essential it is to build and resource a well-functioning ecosystem of organisations, companies, policymakers, and communities—one where roles are clear, collaboration is authentic, and impact is collective. One highlight for me: the keynote by Dr Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief of Nature, who beautifully laid out what an effective ecosystem for nature action looks like. Her words reaffirmed the vital role of collaboration — and why the GCA Accountability Accelerator exists: to identify where alignment is needed, and help fund it into being. ???? I left Villars with renewed energy, optimism, and urgency— and a deep sense that we are part of a growing, vibrant movement driving the nature-positive transition forward. ?? Read Global Commons Alliance’s summary of the Villars Summit here: https://lnkd.in/eHH68DTE Great conversations with: Natasha Milan Matic, Ph.D., Margarita Astralaga, Mark Gough, Eva Zabey, Johan Rockstr?m, Naoko Ishii, Sweta Chakraborty, PhD, Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Dominic Waughray, Caroline Bryant-Bosa, Dan Cao, Chase Jaz, Rachel Jetel, Wendy Broadgate, Patrick Frick, Thijs Biersteker, Natalia Greene, Richard Scobey, Mark Halle, Martin Harper, Jean Oelwang, Dr. Sonja Stuchtey, Tony Goldner, Karen E. Wilson, Tom Crompton, Emma Benameur, MBA, Lee Howell and many more! #GlobalCommons #EarthSystemBoundaries #SafeAndJust #NaturePositive #SystemsChange #Collaboration #VillarsSummit2025

Join us at #WritingClimate on March 26 at 7:00 pm in D.C. for an inspiring keynote conversation with President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, Kumi Naidoo, moderated by CRI’s Executive Director, Brad Adams. We’ll explore bold strategies and impactful solutions for our planet’s future. Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and fuel your climate advocacy! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJwchfnK

?? We joined entrepreneurs, investors, lawyers, scientists and civil society leaders from around the world at The Villars Institute Summit in Switzerland last week, to unite behind systems change for a Safe and Just future. Read our summary ?? The third annual?Villars Summit?to address the climate and nature crisis took place the same week South Korea battled wildfires and flash floods hit Spain. There’s no escaping the impacts of an unstable global commons. But as the GCA Earth Commission’s?#SafeAndJust science tells us, if economic systems, resource management and technologies are dramatically transformed, the planet can gain stability. This bold ambition was threaded throughout the Summit, with leaders across sectors converging on the need for urgent systems change to safeguard the #GlobalCommons we all depend on. ?? We hosted an accelerator workshop with the support of the Villars Institute, moderated by Nik Gowing, Thinking the Unthinkable, on how to build momentum for #SystemsChange. Supporting the summary of workshop conclusions by Jane Madgwick, participants agreed: ??? Earth system science messaging must get “louder” and more frequent to be heard.? ?? Applying a risk and resilience lens, we need to emphasise the power of nature to enable human security, health and economic stability. ?? Our entire community must unite, since the speed and scale of transformations needed are like nothing we have tackled before.? ?? Sectors must work together more cohesively, so legal and governance mechanisms mesh with influencer and activist networks.?It’s not just a question of finance. We have to drop our egos, get organized and connect to bring about change.? ?? Read our full summary: https://lnkd.in/eHH68DTE Including: Johan Rockstr?m, David Obura, Margarita Astralaga, Wendy Broadgate, Rachel Jetel, Thijs Biersteker, Earth Public Information Collaborative, Rhett Ayers Butler Mongabay, Dr. Jemilah Mahmood Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sweta Chakraborty, PhD We Don't Have Time,?Jean Oelwang Planetary Guardians, Natalia Greene Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN), Maja Groff, Anja Olin Pape Global Challenges Foundation, Sebastian Schienle, Luc Bas Cerac - Climate Risk Assessment Center, Randall Krantz, GCA Accountability Accelerator, Erin Billman?Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) Gary Baker, CFA, Alain Vidal Quantis, Natasha Milan Matic, Ph.D. (continued in comments.)