Science-Based Targets Made Simple

Setting science-based targets (SBTs) future-proofs growth, saves money, provides resilience against regulation, boosts investor confidence, and spurs innovation and competitiveness — while demonstrating concrete sustainability commitments to increasingly-conscious consumers.

What is a science-based target?

Targets are ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what climate science deems necessary to meet the Paris Agreement goals — limiting global warming to 1.5°C. They provide a percentage reduction between a base year and a target year 5–15 years later. Rule of thumb: cut emissions in half every ten years.

How to set a science-based target

Measure your carbon footprint. Sign a commitment letter and send it to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). You’ll have 2 years to set and validate your target. The SBTi provides models and tools. The SBTi is a partnership between CDP, the UN Global Compact, WRI and WWF.

Science-based targets for SMEs

SMEs (fewer than 500 employees) have a quicker path: no Scope 3 target required (just a commitment to reduce), flexibility to choose 2°C or 1.5°C alignment, can bypass the commitment step, and pay only $1,000 for verification.