Together with Partners, Business for Nature are hosting a series of Accelerator Programs. Please click on the links below to find out more information on each program.  

Why join an Accelerator program? 

To deliver the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and contribute to halting and reversing nature loss by 2030, all parts of society, including business, need to shift their models and behaviors to protect and restore, rather than destroy, nature. Now is the time for every business to create a nature strategy – a roadmap of how it will contribute to a nature-positive world. 

The ‘It’s Now for Nature’ Accelerator  aims to empower businesses to develop credible nature strategies aligned with the targets of the GBF and the criteria of the ‘It’s Now for Nature’ campaign. Hosted by Business for Nature’s partners, numerous programs will be hosted globally, making up the overall Accelerator program. Each program will guide participants through the Nature Strategy Handbook over a six to eight month period, providing the tools and practical support to enable each participating business to take meaningful action for nature through a strategy that includes: 

• A materiality assessment to identify material impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities
• SMART targets aligned with material impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities
• Actions to achieve SMART targets and to avoid and reduce negative impacts on nature; based on material impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities
• C-suite or board approval of the strategy and responsibility for its delivery

Are there prerequisites for joining a program?  

Each program is designed for businesses that are committed to developing or improving their nature strategy to align with the “It’s Now for Nature” campaign. All businesses joining an Accelerator program are expected to have a strong commitment to reduce their negative impacts on nature and build internal capability to develop a dedicated strategy. 

To be eligible to participate in a program, a business must:  

• Demonstrate a strong desire to develop or improve their nature strategy to meet the minimum criteria of the ‘It’s Now for Nature’ campaign
• Have support from executive / C-suite leadership to attend the program and to develop a nature strategy within 12 months of completing the program
• Appoint one representative to actively participate in the program and attend all sessions

How long does each program run for?  

Each Accelerator program lasts between six to eight months. The length of a program varies based on the tailoring of the program content to the requirements of its specific cohort. The minimum expectation is that there will be three workshops with follow on work running over six to eight months  

How can I join an Accelerator?  

For more details on a specific Accelerator, please see the list of running and upcoming programs, with links to contacts and joining instructions. 

Programs are launched throughout the year. If there are no programs currently running or available, you can sign up to be notified of upcoming programs by registering your interest contact@businessfornature. 

Who runs the programs?  

All programs are run and hosted by a partner of the Business for Nature coalition. These partners include research institutes, business membership organizations, industry associations, and other non-profits with strategic objectives to promote sustainable development and deliver transformational change in the way businesses operate to protect and restore nature.  

A program may also be supported by a technical consultancy to help with its development and delivery. For more detail on a specific Accelerator program, please see the list of running and upcoming programs.  

How are programs delivered?

Each Accelerator program is developed by the host organization in line with the requirements of the participating businesses. This means that individual programs may be structured and delivered slightly differently.  

Each program is likely to combine: 

• Workshops (delivered either online or in-person) 
• Pre and post workshop work
• ‘How to’ guidance
• Subject Matter Expert drop-ins
• Peer learning opportunities  

All programs are based on the Nature Strategy Handbook, which builds on the most recent framework developments including guidance from the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and recommendations from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosure (TNFD) The structure and delivery method for each program is at the discretion of its host organization.  

Is there a fee for joining a program?  

There is a fee to join a program. This fee is determined by the host organisation. Please visit the program pages (listed above) for further information on fees.

Will I receive a certificate for completing the course?  

No. Please note that the Accelerator programs do not provide third-party verification or assurance for the quality of developed strategies. However, once a company has completed an Accelerator program, they can submit their nature strategy to ‘It’s Now for Nature’ to be published as part of the campaign (providing it meets the minimum criteria). However, this is not a form of verification and no certificate is provided.

I would like to host a program – how can I get involved?  

If you are a partner of Business for Nature and are interested in hosting an Accelerator program, please email: [email protected]