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Glossary

SBTi

"SBTi" refers to the Science Based Targets initiative, which is a collaborative project between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). This initiative aims to stimulate ambitious corporate climate action by championing the development, adoption, and validation of science-based emission reduction targets.

Science-based emissions targets are those that align with what the latest climate science suggests is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. These are agreements to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. The SBTi provides companies with a defined pathway to future-proof growth by specifying how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative utilises a sector-based approach, considering each industry’s unique mitigation potential and transition pathway. This equips companies with a clear roadmap to navigate the transition towards a low-carbon economy, while ensuring that reduction efforts are in line with what’s necessary to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. As of now, the SBTi is one of the most globally recognized standards, embraced by over a thousand businesses worldwide.

Companies participating in the SBTi commit to setting measurable goals compliant with decarbonisation requirements. The goals must cover company-wide Scope 1 and 2 emissions and must, if relevant to the business, address Scope 3 emissions as well. SBTi’s rigorous criteria ensure companies stay aligned with climate science and current best practices in target setting and largely contributes to transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in global climate action.

Overall, the SBTi not only guides companies in defining robust and credible science-based targets but also equips businesses to play a critical role in driving global decarbonization efforts, significantly contributing to the global movement toward sustainable, green energy solutions and innovative carbon accounting practices.

Related glossary terms

Carbon accounting is a systematic procedure that quantifies the amount of carbon dioxide emissions for which an entity is responsible,...

CDP

CDP, formally known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a UK-based global non-governmental organization that encourages companies and cities across...

Decarbonization refers to the reduction or complete removal of carbon dioxide emissions from various sectors of the economy, effectively restricting...

"Emissions" typically refers to the release of gases or particles into the atmosphere. In the context of green energy and...

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