Certified is for businesses that are taking significant nature-aligned action and are actively funding the 30x30 goal. ​

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Criteria

 

Note: Consultations with SMEs will continue to refine the criteria.

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SMEs (fewer than 250 FTE)

To earn and keep 30x30 UK certification an SME must satisfy all Core Requirements and demonstrate leadership in at least three of the Leadership Actions below. The list is intentionally flexible – equivalent actions of comparable ambition are welcome.

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A. Core Requirements (all mandatory)

1. Additionality statement – formally confirm that any funding for 30x30 projects is additional to, and never a substitute for, actions that cut greenhouse‑gas emissions or reduce the company’s own nature impacts.

2. Integrity Committee approval – obtain approval from the 30x30 Integrity Committee (contact us for details).

3. Funding commitment – commit to finance 30x30‑eligible projects in the UK. The funding plan must be endorsed by the Integrity Committee. Guidelines suggest 1.5% of annual marketing spend.

4. Delivery evidence – provide donation receipts or equivalent evidence that the first year’s funding commitment has been fulfilled.

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B. Leadership Actions (select at least three)

1. Publish a simple, public sustainability or nature commitment outlining how the business will measure and reduce environmental impacts across operations and key supply chains.

2. Adopt a recognised sustainability standard or accreditation suited to SMEs, e.g. ISO 14001, B Corp, SME Climate Commitment, or a sector-specific scheme.

3. Measure and report progress on key indicators (e.g. carbon, waste, water, nature impacts). Align with science-based or net-zero pathways where feasible, using tools like SME Climate Hub or WRAP guidance.

4. Take practical steps to support nature recovery or circular economy practices - such as restoring green/blue space, reducing pollution, and engaging customers or suppliers in sustainability.

5. Join a trusted sustainability network (e.g. local green business groups, WRAP, EIC, Nature & Biodiversity Forum, Business in the Community SME tier).

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Enterprise (at least 250 FTE)

 

Note: Consultations with Enterprise will continue to refine the criteria.

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A. Core Requirements (all mandatory)

1. Additionality statement – formally confirm that any funding for 30x30 projects is additional to, and never a substitute for, actions that cut greenhouse‑gas emissions or reduce the company’s own nature impacts.

2. Integrity Committee approval – obtain approval from the 30x30 Integrity Committee (contact us for details).

3. Funding commitment – commit to finance 30x30‑eligible projects in the UK. The funding plan must be endorsed by the Integrity Committee. Guidelines suggest 1.5% of annual marketing spend.

4. Delivery evidence – provide donation receipts or equivalent evidence that the first year’s funding commitment has been fulfilled.

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B. Leadership Actions (select at least three)

1. Publish a credible net‑zero and/or nature strategy that explains how the company will measure and reduce negative impacts across its operations and supply chain.

2. Adopt an internationally recognised disclosure or accreditation framework – any one of the following qualifies:

   1. Taskforce on Nature‑related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) – public commitment or adopter status

   2. EU CSRD‑style sustainability reporting (voluntary adoption)

   3. IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards S1 and S2 (ISSB) – early voluntary adoption

   4. CDP reporting, including the biodiversity module

   5. Natural Capital reporting through the Capitals Coalition / Natural Capital Protocol

   6. B Corp certification

   7. ISO 14001 certification

3. Engage with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and/or the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and commit to setting science‑based climate and nature targets.

4. Align with a recognised business action framework, for example participation in Business for Nature, It's Now for Nature, We Mean Business Coalition, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Roadmaps to Nature Positive or equivalent initiatives.

5. Join a recognised nature‑ or climate‑focused business network, such as: Aldersgate Group, Broadway Initiative, Business in the Community, Race to Zero, UK Business and Biodiversity Forum.

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Ineligible Sectors

Certified Membership is not open to businesses that are fundamentally incompatible with the mission of restoring nature in the UK. This includes - but is not limited to - those engaged in or significantly financially dependent on:

• Fossil fuel extraction, refining, or major transportation (e.g. oil, gas, coal, tar sands)

• Deep-sea bottom trawling and other destructive fishing methods

• Industrial-scale animal agriculture

• Unsustainable deforestation-linked commodity production (e.g. timber, palm oil, soy)

• Mining and mineral extraction with high biodiversity impact

• Agrochemical manufacturing with known ecological harms

• High-impact aviation, shipping, or logistics without clear decarbonisation efforts

• Producers of single-use plastics (where alternatives are viable and impacts are unmanaged)

• Weapons and defence manufacturing

• Tobacco and vaping companies

• Pornography or adult entertainment

• Gambling, betting, and online gaming platforms

Note: This list is non-exhaustive. We reserve the right to assess applications based on alignment with 30x30 UK’s mission, values, and public trust.

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Developing a robust criteria that achieves its intention to ensure credibility needs to be carefully balanced with viability in the business-sector. 30x30 UK will carry out periodic updates to this criteria. For Certified members it may affect their ability to re-qualify for the criteria at the annual review.

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Any queries or feedback, please get in touch with contact@30x30.org.uk.

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