Beyond Value Chain Mitigation

Version 1.3.1 of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard recommends that companies take action beyond their value chains to support global progress toward net-zero through beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM).

Accelerating climate action beyond your value chain

Increasing numbers of businesses worldwide are recognizing the benefits of decarbonization. While companies must prioritize reducing emissions across their own operations and value chains, additional action is needed to help accelerate progress toward global net-zero.

For this reason, Version 1.3.1 of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard recommends that companies take action through beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM) as part of their broader climate strategy.

BVCM is not a substitute for reducing emissions within a company’s value chain. Instead, it is an opportunity for companies to contribute to climate mitigation beyond their science-based targets while continuing to deliver emissions reductions across their operations and value chain.

What is BVCM?

The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3.1 defines BVCM as: “mitigation action or investments that fall outside a company’s value chain, including activities that avoid or reduce GHG emissions, or remove and store GHGs from the atmosphere.”

Funding of BVCM, if done right, can unlock an array of opportunities, mitigate future risks and protect and enhance long-term value. The business case for BVCM will depend on the region, market and industry in which the company operates and will ultimately be influenced by the extent to which the company is impacted by the changing physical environment linked to climate change. Businesses must also take into account the associated changes in policy, financial markets, consumer markets, society and technology to ensure that their BVCM activities have the greatest impact possible.

SBTi resources on BVCM

In February 2024, the SBTi published "Above and Beyond: An SBTi report on the design and implementation of beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM)" to support companies in the design and implementation of BVCM strategies to accelerate progress towards global net-zero.

At the same time, the SBTi published “Raising the Bar: An SBTi report on accelerating corporate adoption of BVCM”, which explores the incentives for BVCM over which the broader climate ecosystem has influence, including civil society, academia, policymakers, standard setters, advocacy organizations and multilateral organizations. It draws upon SBTi research to consider the barriers and incentives for private sector adoption of BVCM.

The development of the SBTi’s BVCM reports was informed by extensive research and stakeholder engagement, including:

Project participants

The SBTi was the project lead, manager, and convening agent. The Project Team consisted of representatives from the SBTi partner organizations, plus a secondee from Systemiq. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Climate Focus also provided consultancy support.

Stakeholder participation occurred through the following groups: 

The SBTi convened an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) between April and December 2023. The EAG was composed of technical experts from stakeholder organizations and companies interested in investing in BVCM (see here for the terms of reference). The EAG provided technical advice to the SBTi in support of the development of BVCM reports. Membership of the EAG does not constitute formal endorsement of SBTi products relating to BVCM. The following individuals were part of the BVCM EAG:

  • Alexander Farsan
  • Amir Safaei
  • Andika Putraditama
  • Anita Otubu, Universal Energy Facility
  • Anshari Rahman
  • Bhaskar Singh Karky
  • Bogolo Kenewendo
  • Brad Schallert
  • Candace Vinke
  • Carlijn Nouwen
  • Chandra Shekhar Silori
  • Chidi Oti-Obihara
  • Daniel Zarin
  • Derik Broekhoff
  • Diksha Pillay
  • Disha Agarwal
  • Donna Lee
  • Duan Maosheng
  • Elijah Innes-Wimsatt
  • Emma Stewart
  • Gabriel Chaves Barboza
  • Gilles Dufrasne
  • Hilda Galt
  • Hilde Stroot
  • Johnny White
  • Juliette de Grandpre
  • Karol Gobczynski
  • Kelley Kizzier
  • Kerry Constabile
  • Keyvan Macedo
  • Kuki Soejachmoen
  • Mark Kenber
  • Meera Atreya
  • Melissa Gallant
  • Morten Rossé
  • Nguyen Phi Hung
  • Paola Delgado Luna
  • Patricia Pinho
  • Paul Vermaak
  • Rob Macquarie
  • Robert Höglund
  • Roberta Barbieri
  • Ronan Hodge
  • Ruhana Zariwala
  • Simon Petley
  • Stephan Singerl
  • Tanja Havemann
  • Thiago Chagas
  • Xiaolu Zhao
  • Zeke Hausfather

Between June and July 2023, the SBTi conducted a six-week public consultation on BVCM. Over 268 respondents participated in this process. 

The SBTi also engaged with companies on BVCM through an online survey and interviews, between March and April 2023. More than 210 companies responded to the survey and 22 companies were interviewed.

Resources

Contact

For further information about BVCM and related SBTi work, explore the available reports and resources.

For general enquiries, contact: info@sciencebasedtargets.org.  

You can also join the SBTi mailing list to receive updates on this and other SBTi work.

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