Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

What is it?

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) currently works with over 4,000 businesses and mobilizes the private sector to take urgent climate action. It defines and promotes best practices in setting science-based targets for companies’ GHG emissions and provides resources and guidance to achieve this. The SBTi then independently assesses and approves companies’ targets in line with its criteria.

Science-based targets provide a clearly defined pathway for companies and financial institutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth.

Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

How to use it?

A step-by-step process for setting a target is outlined here as well as associated guidance and resources. In summary, companies follow this process:

Setting a science-based target for GHG emissions is a five-step process:

• Commit: Register and submit a letter establishing an intent to set a science-based target or to have existing targets independently verified
• Develop: Work on an emissions reduction target in line with the SBTi’s science-based criteria
• Submit: Present the target to the SBTi for validation and approval
• Communicate: Once the target has been approved, announce the target and inform stakeholders
• Disclose: Monitor emissions and report on progress on meeting the target annually.

The SBTi Target dashboard is updated weekly and provides information on: 

• Organizations that have committed to set science-based targets;
• Organizations that have had greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets validated as science-based by the SBTi; and,
• Organizations that have had their commitments removed under the SBTi Commitment Compliance Policy.

The SBTi Progress dashboard provides detailed publicly available information on organizations’ progress against their science-based targets as of December 31, 2022.