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The target validation process
To submit your targets for validation, complete the relevant forms clearly, completely and accurately as possible:
- Near-term target submission form
- Near-term submission for financial institutions
- Net-zero target submission form part one and part two
- Streamlined target-setting system for SMEs
Missing, unclear or erroneous information will result in the validation process being delayed. Companies are asked to consult the guidance included in the relevant form before completing it to ensure you do so adequately.
Companies which are ready to submit a target for validation should upload their completed target submission form via the SBTi target booking system and select an available validation date. Companies should note that their booking date is the latest that their target validation will begin.
On or before the booked date, the SBTi will conduct an initial screening to determine if all necessary information is provided and to assess if the target meets a few basic criteria. After this step is complete, the SBTi will send the validation service contract, which must be signed before the target validation process can begin. Section 3 of the target validation protocol provides an overview of each step of the target validation process.
N.B. The validation service is closed every year between mid-December and early January.
To determine if a target is science-based, our team of experts will review your submission, validate it against our science-based criteria and communicate their decision and detailed feedback.
The target validation service includes:
- Initial screening of target submission
- Up to two target assessments by a Target Validation team member*
- For each assessment, one comprehensive target validation report including recommendations to address non-compliances if applicable and a written decision within 30-60 business days, depending on the selected validation service**
- Up to 60 min of feedback conversations after each assessment
- Assistance with formulating the final wording of a target for complete validations only (if approved)
*Companies will have 6 months after the first submission is completed to submit the second submission.
**To be able to complete the assessment within 30-60 business days, companies must respond to any queries for further information or clarification sent by the validation team within two business days.
When a target submission is received, the SBTi first conducts an initial screening for completeness and to ensure basic criteria are met, which usually takes around a week to conduct. If the submission passes the initial screening, it moves into the contracting stage. Once the validation contract is fully executed by both parties, the target validation service can begin. Target validation decisions are issued within 30-60 business days of contract execution if companies are able to respond to any queries during the validation within 2 business days.
The SBTi does not guarantee delivery of validation decisions beyond the time frame indicated in the target validation contract. If you are aiming to receive your target decision by a certain date, please allow appropriate time for the entire target validation process. This includes a week for the initial screening to be performed or longer if there is missing or unclear information in the submission form, and an additional few days for reviewing and signing the terms & conditions, both of which occur before the 30 business day timeframe begins.
It is also important to note that the validation service closes every year from mid-December to early January.
Companies are encouraged to submit their targets using our booking system.
Target validation service offerings
Near-term science-based target submission: $9,500
The near-term science-based target submission service is a robust technical review conducted by our team of experts. This service also includes a second submission at no additional cost for validations that are not accepted and are re-submitted within six months.
Target update service: $4,750
A combination and improvement of the previous “resubmission” and “voluntary ambition update” services. The target update service is a streamlined process developed for companies who wish to align their targets with our new minimum ambition level of 1.5°C or to update or edit previously approved targets in other ways. The service offers the same comprehensive review performed in the near-term submission service and will also include a comprehensive target validation report.
Net-zero target submission: $9,500
After setting a near-term science-based target, step 2 in the Net-Zero Standard Overview is to set a long-term science-based target to reduce emissions by at least 90% by no later than 2050. The launch of our new net-zero target submission service is a robust technical review of your company’s long-term science-based target and is equal to that of the near-term target submission service, conducted by our team of experts and composed of several steps.
Near-term science-based target update + Net-zero target submission – Package Rate: $12,750
Companies with previously-approved near-term targets who wish to align with the Net-Zero Standard can resubmit their near-term science-based targets and a net-zero target for validation at the same time for a discounted rate. The combined service is designed to encourage companies to increase the ambition level of their near-term science-based targets to align with the Net-Zero Standard and the current SBTi Criteria and set net-zero targets at the same time. It offers a streamlined version of our services with results delivered within 60 business days of contract signature.
Near-term science-based target submission + Net-zero target submission – Package Rate: $14,500
Companies who wish to align with the Net-Zero Standard and are submitting new near-term and net-zero targets to the SBTi for the first time have the option to submit together at a discounted rate. Both submissions undergo a separate, robust technical review conducted by our team of experts as detailed above and results are delivered within 60 business days of contract signature.
FLAG near-term target submission: $7,500
In addition to standard near-term targets, companies may be required or choose to set a FLAG target (Forests, Land, and Agriculture). Please note that FLAG targets can ONLY be submitted as an add-on to another service, such as a Target service update or Near term submission.
Financial institution target submission: $14,500
This service is specifically adopted for robust review of targets submitted by financial institutions (FIs). FIs differ from other economic sectors by providing finance and other services to the companies that are responsible for reducing GHG emissions, rather than exercising direct control over GHG emission reductions. For more information on how to set FI targets, please refer to the SBTi Financial Institutions webpage.
Small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - target submission or update: $1,000
A streamlined route for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), defined as a non-subsidiary, independent company which employs fewer than 500 employees. This service enables SMEs to bypass the initial stages of committing to set a science-based target and the standard target validation process. The price applies to Near Term and/or Net Zero target submissions and updates.
Fee exemption - All services excluding Financial Institutions: $0
Companies with yearly gross revenue of under $1 billion USD and who are headquartered in developing countries and economies in transition, as defined by the United Nations Secretariat’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs listed in Table B and C on page 141-142, have the option to request a waiver for their target submission fee. We encourage companies to pay the normal service fee if financially viable, to ensure the exemption can be reserved for companies that would benefit most from the waiver. Financial institutions are not eligible for a fee waiver.
In order to ensure that we can deliver the target validation service to a high-standard while also continually making improvements to this service, the SBTi charges companies a cost-recovery fee. As non-profit organizations, the fee is kept at a low level by the SBTi partners, minimizing entry barriers to the initiative while allowing us to deliver a quality service. The SBTi accepts waiver submissions from companies based in developing countries.
The cost of the target validation service can be waived for companies with yearly revenue under $1 billion USD, who need it and are headquartered in developing countries and economies in transition, as defined by the United Nations Secretariat’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Companies must request an exemption in the target submission form to be considered for one.
This benefit is also applicable for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) headquartered in developing countries. SMEs must request an exemption in the target submission form to be considered for one.
Fee waivers are not available for financial institutions.
The target validation service includes:
- Initial screening of target submission
- Up to two target assessments by a Target Validation team member*
- For each assessment, one comprehensive target validation report including recommendations to address non-compliances if applicable and a written decision within 30-60 business days, depending on the selected validation service**
- Up to 60 min of feedback conversations after each assessment
- Assistance with formulating the final wording of a target for complete validations only (if approved)
The target validation service does not include:
- Choosing which target setting method is most appropriate or relevant for the company, as this depends on each company's business and activities.
- Assistance with emission factors and calculation of emissions across scopes.
*Companies will have 6 months after the first submission is completed to submit the second submission.
**To be able to complete the assessment within 30-60 business days, companies must respond to any queries for further information or clarification sent by the validation team within two business days.
If targets are not approved, the company will receive a private email indicating the decision. We will not publicly communicate the fact that a company's target was not approved.
Companies are encouraged to incorporate SBTi feedback and resubmit targets for validation as soon as they are able. For more information on the target validation process, consult our Corporate Manual.
From January 31, 2023, if a company's commitment expires and it has no targets awaiting validation following an unsuccessful submission, the commitment will be listed as 'Removed' on the SBTi Target Dashboard as outlined in our Commitment Compliance Policy.
To determine if a target is science-based, our team of experts will review your submission, validate it against our science-based criteria and communicate their decision and detailed feedback.