What are Science Based Targets?

What are science based targets?

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is the globally accepted standard for businesses’ carbon reduction targets.

It was launched in 2015 by the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the WWF.

Science-based targets are a set of goals that lay out your route to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They show companies how much and how quickly they need to reduce GHG emissions to stay in line with the Paris Agreement goal (what the world needs us to do to prevent catastrophic and irreversible effects of global temperature rise).

What actually is a science-based target?

A reduction target is defined as ‘science-based’ if it aligns with what the latest climate science says is necessary to keep global warming below 1.5°C (in line with the Paris Agreement).

The specific reduction targets depend on the style of your business. However all businesses must reduce all emissions included in the GHG Protocol, and must include both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

How do I set one?

The first step is to measure your GHG emissions (your carbon footprint). Once you know what your carbon footprint is, you can work out how much you need to reduce and when you need to do it by. This gives you a percentage target to decrease by each year.

How do I reach it?

We won’t beat around the bush, reducing your carbon emissions can be a challenge. That’s why creating an ambitious but achievable reduction plan will make it happen. Setting your targets will engage your colleagues, customers and hold everyone accountable. Carbon reduction has to be a team effort.

Why SBTi?

Each year SBTi tweak their guidance for different industries to make sure there is less room for creative accounting. Whilst we need more and more companies to take ownership of their carbon footprint, we need to make sure that people are playing by the same rules. This makes it easier for consumers to compare companies and, in turn, make better decisions.