FAQs

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.

Learn more in the science-based targets corporate manual.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with climate science is good for the planet and for businesses.

A survey found that science-based target setting future-proofs growth, saves money, provides resilience against regulation, boosts investor confidence, and spurs innovation and competitiveness – while also demonstrating concrete sustainability commitments to regulators, consumers and investors.

Companies and financial institutions going through the target validation process benefit from detailed feedback and support from the SBTi’s technical experts. Organizations who sign the SBTi commitment letter are recognized as “Committed” on our website, as well as the We Mean Business website if committing to Net-Zero. Companies participating in the UN Global Compact that commit to net-zero will also be recognized on their website.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) mobilizes the private sector to take urgent climate action.

By guiding companies in science-based target setting, we enable them to tackle global warming while seizing the benefits and boosting their competitiveness in the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

We do this by:

1. Defining and promoting best practice in science-based target setting across sectors.

2. Providing technical assistance and expert resources to companies and financial institutions who set science-based targets in line with the latest climate science.

3. Bringing together a team of experts to give organizations independent assessment and validation of targets.

4. Leading net-zero in the private sector via the Corporate Net-Zero Standard and forthcoming Net-Zero Standard for Financial Institutions.

5. Increasing accountability and credibility of corporate climate action though our forthcoming monitoring, reporting and verification framework.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a partnership between CDP, World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the United Nations Global Compact (UN Global Compact). Setting science-based targets via the SBTi is also one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments.

Organizations that commit to the SBTi automatically count towards the We Mean Business campaign (though they may opt out if they choose).

The SBTi leads the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, calling for business leaders to set emissions reduction targets in line with a 1.5°C future. Business Ambition for 1.5°C is a partner in the Race to Zero campaign. Therefore, companies that commit to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign are automatically recognized as part of the Race to Zero campaign as well.

The ACT initiative complements the SBTi. By supporting companies in the process of setting science-based targets, the SBTi helps them define a clear sense of direction to be in line with a decarbonization pathway. By supporting companies to achieve the low carbon transition and monitoring their climate action, ACT helps them implement that direction, and enhance the credibility of their climate commitments.

The Science Based Targets Network is developing science-based targets for protecting water, land, biodiversity and oceans for companies, and climate targets for cities.

We appreciate your interest in engaging with and promoting the Science Based Targets initiative. For the time being, we are not formally collaborating with consultancies, non-profit organizations, schools, students, researchers, or service providers. Feel free to subscribe to our mailing list here to receive our newsletter and other updates, and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Additionally, we invite you to use and promote the free resources and tools available on our website.

The SBTi’s conflict of interest policy is publicly available here.

The SBTi receives three different sources of funding:

• Core funding
• Project-specific funding for time-limited projects to develop new sector guidance or update specific standards
• Validation service fees to recover the cost of running our target validation service

Corporate funding agreements between SBTi and companies funding specific projects ensure that all decision making related to the project is taken independently by the SBTi. All corporate funders of sector projects are disclosed on the specific sector pages along with any other companies participating in the project.

You can find e-Learning courses on setting near-term and net-zero science-based targets on the UN Global Compact Academy. The SBTi also posts public events to our YouTube channel, including walk-throughs and deep-dive webinars covering various target-setting resources.

Most companies follow this five-step process to set science-based targets:

1. Commit: Submit a letter establishing your intent to set a science-based target

2. Develop: Work on an emissions reduction target in line with the SBTi’s criteria

3. Submit: Present your target to the SBTi for a complete validation

4. Communicate: Announce your target and inform your stakeholders

5. Disclose: Report company-wide emissions and track target progress annually

See our detailed guidance for each step.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can follow a stream-lined process. View the streamlined pathway for SMEs.

Companies have 24 months to submit their targets to the SBTi. In line with our commitment compliance policy, from January 31 2023, if targets have not been submitted within 24 months of committing, they will expire and be shown as 'removed' on the SBTi website – unless specific circumstances apply.

The SBTi encourages companies experiencing difficulties to get in touch with our team. We are happy to explore ways our team can provide support and help companies set a target within the deadline.

In the case of companies wishing to withdraw from the initiative, whilst strongly discouraged, we cannot prevent companies from doing so.

The SBTi has a streamlined route for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), defined as a non-subsidiary, independent company which employs fewer than 500 employees.

This pathway enables SMEs to bypass the initial stages of committing to set a science-based target and the standard target validation process. SMEs can immediately set a science-based target for their scope 1 and 2 emissions by choosing from one of several predefined target options. Unlike larger companies, the SBTi does not require SMEs to set targets for their scope 3 emissions; however, SMEs must commit to measure and reduce their scope 3 emissions.

The SBTi introduced this expedited option for SMEs because smaller companies often lack the resources and capabilities needed to set scope 3 targets and monitor progress against them. The SBTi’s speedy and simplified approach for SMEs balances the need for them to take account of emissions across their value chains without imposing too great a burden on them.

Like larger companies using our standard target validation route, SMEs are required to complete a recent, comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions inventory following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and Scope 2 Guidance. They are required to publicly report their company-wide scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions inventory and progress against published targets on an annual basis.

The SBTi has also introduced streamlined route net-zero target setting for SMEs in 2022, which does include commitments on scope 3 target setting and reduction.

Targets submitted through the dedicated route for SMEs will be automatically approved and posted to the SBTi website, pending due diligence review and payment. Companies will be sent a communications welcome pack and will be able to use the SBTi logo on their website and in company communications.

View all FAQs for SMEs

We offer comprehensive guidance for companies setting science-based targets and support committed companies to understand which resources are available and appropriate for their needs. This includes guidance for specific sectors and wide range of wide range of tools and resources.

Once companies have reviewed these, they need to choose an appropriate approach and methodology to set their science-based target.

Companies can also browse our case studies and YouTube channel (including recordings of relevant webinars) for guidance in the target-setting journey. To stay up-to-date on our latest resources, events and other developments, companies are encouraged to subscribe to our newsletter and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For a more detailed overview of how to develop and submit your target for validation, including the guidance available, please see our Corporate Manual.

Thank you for your interest in supporting companies to develop science-based targets. As climate science evolves and frequently requires the SBTi to update materials and resources, we do not help develop, review, endorse or certify any third party tools. However, the resources that the SBTi uses to assess companies’ science-based targets are publicly available - see below. All tools to create science-based targets should be developed using these resources, and the resources should be reviewed at least every three months to ensure continued alignment. While you are free to use our resources to develop target setting tools, you may not include the SBTi logo on your tool or promotional materials without permission, nor claim endorsement, certification or approval by the SBTi.

• Information on eligible methods:
  • Near-term target setting: Target Validation Protocol - page 29, table 2.
  • Net-zero (near- and long-term) target setting: Net-Zero Standard - page 27, table 6.

• Criteria applicable to companies from all sectors is available in the SBTi Criteria.

• Sector specific requirements:
  • Supplementary sector-specific guidance is listed in the Target Validation Protocol on page 42, table 6.
    • Sector specific guidance is only mandatory for companies in the following sectors:
      • Power
      • Aviation
      • Forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) (following the release of the FLAG guidance in September 2022)

• Explanation about emissions allocation within scope 3 in the Target Validation Protocol - page 36, section 4.

• The SBTi validation team has outlined some common mistakes to keep in mind.
  

• The SBTi tools for near-term and net-zero science-based targets provide the minimum ambition for the selected target setting method.

• Getting started checklists for near-term and net-zero targets provide further information about commonly missed criteria and sector-specific requirements in order to set a science-based target.

Currently, companies in all sectors apart from oil and gas and automakers can set science-based targets, aligned with the SBTi criteria.

Most sectors will use one of two methods for developing their science-based targets: the Absolute Contraction Approach (used by four out of five companies with approved science-based targets) or the Sectoral Decarbonization Approach (SDA).

Unless your sector is listed below, please see page three of our how-to guide to learn which methodology your company should use, according to your sector and other criteria.

For some sectors / industries, separate sector-specific methodologies, frameworks and requirements have been developed:

• Power sector

• Financial institutions

• Forestry, Land and Agriculture

For some sectors, we have also published sector-specific guidance documents to help you through the process:

• Apparel and footwear

• Aviation

• Cement

• Chemicals

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  

• Maritime

• Transport

We encourage stakeholders to participate in the consultation processes for additional sector-specific guidance and methods:

• Aluminum

• Buildings

• Chemicals

• Steel
  

• Oil and gas

(Please note, companies in these sectors can already set targets using our existing methods, with the exception of oil and gas)

Learn more about our sector-specific research.

Once companies have reviewed the relevant resources, they need to choose an appropriate approach and methodology to set their science-based target.

There are two approaches companies can use for setting a science-based target for their scope 1 and 2 emissions:

1. Sector-based approach
2. Absolute-based approach

Learn more about the target-setting approaches and methods: "Foundations paper".

Learn more about how to model targets for various scopes: "SBTi Corporate Manual".

Learn more about how these approaches relate to the SBTi criteria.

Companies should not default to the target that is easiest to meet but should instead use the most ambitious decarbonization scenarios and methods that lead to the earliest reductions and the least cumulative emissions. Further, alignment with the latest SBTi criteria is always advised and prevents the need for multiple target updates in the future.

For a more detailed overview of how to develop and submit your target for validation, including the guidance available, please see our Getting Started Guide.

In line with the latest climate science, companies must set targets aligned with 1.5°C.

We strongly encourage companies to commit to the highest level of ambition by setting a 1.5°C-aligned target and committing to net-zero through the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign.

For companies with existing SBTs, we invite you to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and voluntarily boost the ambition level of your current targets by completing this form and align your scopes 1 and 2 ambition, along with scope 3 where relevant, with a 1.5°C pathway. Learn more.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol categorizes direct and indirect emissions into three broad scopes:

· Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions occur from sources that are owned or controlled by the company, for example, emissions from combustion in owned or controlled boilers, furnaces, vehicles, etc.; emissions from chemical production in owned or controlled process equipment.

· Scope 2: Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam.

· Scope 3: Other indirect emissions, such as the extraction and production of purchased materials and fuels, transport-related activities in vehicles not owned or controlled by the reporting entity, electricity-related activities (e.g. T&D losses) not covered in Scope 2, outsourced activities, waste disposal, etc.

Science-based targets must cover scopes 1 and 2. For companies whose scope 3 emissions cover more than 40% of their combined scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, targets must cover scope 3.

For guidance on what to include in each scope, please refer to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. For specific guidance on what to include in Scope 3, please refer to GHG Protocol Scope 3 Guidance.

Please consult the SBTi criteria for further details.

The SBTi requires that companies set targets based on emission reductions through direct action within their own boundaries or their value chains.

Offsets are only considered to be an option for companies wanting to finance additional emission reductions beyond their science-based target (SBT) or net-zero target.

Avoided emissions are also not counted towards SBTs.

Currently the SBTi does not accept market based scope 1 emissions reduction certificates - this includes green gas certificates. However, companies are allowed to use green gas directly on their sites as a reduction lever for their scope 1 targets. Market based reduction certificates for scope 3 emissions are also currently not accepted. This includes companies purchasing RECs on behalf of their customers/suppliers.

Renewable energy instruments such as renewable energy certificates (RECs) should only be used to meet reductions of scope 2 emissions using the market based approach. Please see the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance for further guidance on scope 2 accounting.

Regarding insetting, further work is required to standardize the definition of insetting projects and to develop a clear accounting methodology. For these reasons, the SBTi will assess insetting projects on a case-by-case basis during the validation process and may not approve their use.

All targets must cover a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years from the date the target is submitted to the Science Based Targets initiative.

Only targets submitted in the first half of a calendar year can include the current year toward the five-year minimum. For example, companies submitting a target by the end of June 2023 can have a target year between 2027 and 2032. Targets submitted from July to December 2023 must have a target year between 2028 and 2033.

Read our latest criteria.

For companies that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19, the SBTi recommends selecting a base year such as 2019 instead of 2020 or 2021 when setting targets. Alternatively, companies are welcome to use a multi-year average base year approach, as described in Chapter 5 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard. As some companies have been less impacted by COVID-19 than others, the SBTi will still allow 2020 base years for target setting purposes and will allow companies to make their own determination about the appropriateness of a 2020 base year.

The SBTi requires companies to provide 100% of their GHG emissions for validation. Companies are allowed to exclude 5% of emissions. The SBTi requires that 100% of scope 1 and 2 emissions be covered under a target. The SBTi requires that 67% of the mandatory scope 3 emissions (see GHGP Corporate Value Chain Scope 3 Standard page 35) are covered under target(s). Companies are not allowed to exclude certain branches, geographies, businesses streams, etc. for validation of a science-based target.

Yes. Companies and financial institutions may set science-based targets using calendar or fiscal years.

No. However, companies that committed to the SBTi on or after July 15, 2022 must use Version 5 of our criteria, which requires alignment with a 1.5°C-pathway for most companies.

You can view definitions of each sector and their activities in our Sector Classification Descriptions document.

Companies that are submitting targets for the first time are encouraged to use the most recent year for which data is available as the base year. If a company has more detailed data for a previous year, this is acceptable for the validation purposes as long as most recent year data is also submitted.

According to our SBTi Criteria:

• Targets must cover a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years from the date the target is submitted to the SBTi for validation. The choice of base year must be no earlier than 2015.
  
  For targets submitted for an official validation in the first half of 2023, the valid target years are 2027-2032 inclusive. For targets submitted in the second half of 2023, the valid target years are between 2028 and 2033 inclusive.
  

• For targets submitted for validation in 2023, the most recent inventory data submitted must be for 2021 at the earliest.

The SBTi has a streamlined route for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), defined as a non-subsidiary, independent company which employs fewer than 500 employees and is not a Financial Institution (FI) or Oil & Gas (O&G) company.

This pathway enables SMEs to bypass the initial stages of committing to set a science-based target and the standard target validation process. SMEs can immediately set a science-based target for their scope 1 and 2 emissions by choosing from one of several predefined target options. Unlike larger companies, the SBTi does not require SMEs to set targets for their scope 3 emissions; however, SMEs must commit to measure and reduce their scope 3 emissions.

The SBTi introduced this expedited option for SMEs because smaller companies often lack the resources and capabilities needed to set scope 3 targets and monitor progress against them.

The SBTi’s speedy and simplified approach for SMEs balances the need for them to take account of emissions across their value chains without imposing too great a burden on them.

Like larger companies using our standard target validation route, SMEs are required to complete a recent, comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions inventory following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and Scope 2 Guidance. They are required to publicly report their company-wide scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions inventory and progress against published targets on an annual basis.

The SBTi also has a streamlined route net-zero target setting for SMEs, which does include commitments on scope 3 target setting and reduction.

Targets submitted through the dedicated route for SMEs will be approved and posted to the SBTi website pending due diligence review and payment. Companies will be sent a communications welcome pack and will be able to use the SBTi logo on their website and in company communications.

View all FAQs for SMEs.

If you still have an outstanding question reach out to smes@sciencebasedtargets.org.

The SBTi requires companies to provide 100% of their GHG emissions for validation. However, companies are allowed to exclude 5% of emissions from scope 1+2, and 5% from scope 3. The SBTi requires that 100% of scope 1 and 2 emissions be covered under a target. The SBTi requires that 67% of the mandatory scope 3 emissions (see GHGP Corporate Value Chain Scope 3 Standard page 35) are covered under target(s). Companies are not allowed to exclude certain branches, geographies, business streams, etc. for validation of a science-based target, unless they have the data to justify that this constitutes less than 5%. Further, unavailability of data is not a valid reason for not reporting emissions.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requires companies that meet either of the following two criteria to set a FLAG science-based target:

i) Companies with land intensive activities in their value chain from the following FLAG-designated sectors are required to set FLAG targets:
• Forest and Paper Products – Forestry, Timber, Pulp and Paper
• Food Production – Agricultural Production
• Food Production – Animal Source
• Food and Beverage Processing
• Food and Staples Retailing
• Tobacco

ii) Companies in any other SBTi-designated sector that have FLAG-related emissions that total more than 20% of overall emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3.

If your company meets the criteria above, FLAG targets will be required and should be submitted along with other targets through the SBTi Target Validation Booking System using Version 5.2 of the Near Term Target Submission Form + FLAG Annex. Please note that FLAG Targets can not be submitted individually and companies who already have a validated target will need to submit a Near Term Update + FLAG target.

Refer to our FLAG Getting Started Guide, FLAG FAQs, and FLAG Sector Guidance for additional information.

Should you have a question unanswered by these resources, please contact FLAG@sciencebasedtargets.org

The following applies to companies that are required to set separate FLAG targets as per FLAG-C1 of the Forest, Land and Agriculture guidance.

Companies with existing science-based targets must submit FLAG targets within six months after the release of the final version of the GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance. Businesses that are required to set a FLAG target and decide to set it after the release of the final version of the GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance, must still commit to no-deforestation upon submission, with a target date no later than December 31, 2025.

Companies without an existing science based target and that are in the process of developing targets, will also be required to set FLAG targets upon submission.

Companies anticipating target recalculation for any reason or companies submitting net-zero targets from April 2023 onward are required to include FLAG targets.

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.

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.

The target validation service includes:

1. Initial screening of target submission
2. Up to two target assessments by a Target Validation team member*
3. 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**
4. Up to 60 min of feedback conversations after each assessment
5. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Managing the target validation within the SBTi enables us to guarantee consistency and stringency of target validation decisions, which is key to the success of the science-based targets and the credibility of approved companies. It also enables us to learn from each submission and improve our target validation criteria.

To ensure fairness and objectivity, every company is assigned to a lead reviewer and an appointed approver. The reviewer performs the desk review of the submission, prepares the deliverables, organizes a feedback call if necessary, and acts as the point of contact between the company and the SBTi throughout the validation process. The approver acts as a peer reviewer on the completed desk review. For all target submissions, the reviewer and approver assigned are employed by two different partner organizations.

Companies that are submitting targets for the first time are encouraged to set the most recent year with available data as the base year. If a company has more detailed data for a previous year, this is acceptable for the validation purposes as long as a most recent year data is also submitted to be assessed for ambition.

Treating the data we receive from companies as confidential enables us to access more detailed information than what is available publicly and make a more accurate assessment of a company’s science-based target.

When submitting a target, the company is required to fill the SBTi Target Submission Form, which provides the minimum information for conducting the assessment of the target for validation.

No, target validation slots cannot be booked speculatively. A completed target submission form must be provided at the time of booking in order to secure a validation slot. Companies are encouraged to ensure submission forms are complete and accurate to prevent any delays. As the SBTi continually increases capacity, validation slots will be moved forward when available and therefore all information needs to be complete at the time of booking.

Once they have submitted a completed submission form and booked a target validation slot, companies are welcome to communicate that they have submitted a target to the SBTi for approval. For other guidance on communications at various stages of the SBTi journey, please see the SBTi communications guide for companies and financial institutions taking action.

The target validation service includes:

1. Initial screening of target submission
2. Up to two target assessments by a Target Validation team member*
3. 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**
4. Up to 60 min of feedback conversations after each assessment
5. Assistance with formulating the final wording of a target for complete validations only (if approved)

The target validation service does not include:

1. Choosing which target setting method is most appropriate or relevant for the company, as this depends on each company's business and activities.
2. 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.

After sending a commitment letter, organizations have 24 months to submit their target.

As part of the target submission, companies book a date in the future for their target review to begin. From this date the SBTi will begin to validate the target and communicate it's decision within 30 business days for Near Term targets, 60 business days for Financial Institutions, and 60 business days for Net Zero targets

The dates listed above assume that the company passes it's initial screening which ensures basic criteria are met, signs the target validation service contract, and responds to queries from their assigned target analyst within 2 business days.

Please note that the validation service closes each year from December into January, therefore limited validation booking slots will be available during this time.

If your company already has an emissions reduction target, please submit an SBTi commitment letter to join the initiative and commit to having your existing target independently validated against our science-based criteria.

To ensure targets remain aligned with the most recent climate science, companies will be required to review, and if necessary revalidate, their targets every five years from the date of the original target approval, beginning in 2025. This will become mandatory in 2025.

Companies should notify the SBTi of any significant changes in growth projections and other assumptions that were used in developing the target, as well as the business or data and emissions factors used in the inventory process.

We recommend that companies report these changes publicly, where relevant. In addition, we recommend that science-based targets are recalculated, as needed, to reflect significant changes that would compromise the relevance and consistency of the targets.

The following changes should trigger a target recalculation:

· Scope 3 emissions become 40% or more of aggregated Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions;

· Emissions of exclusions in the inventory or target boundary change significantly;

· Significant changes in company structure and activities (e.g. acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, insourcing or outsourcing, shifts in goods or service offerings);

· Significant adjustments to the base-year inventory or changes in data to set targets such as growth projections (e.g. discovery of significant errors or a number of cumulative errors that are collectively significant);

· Other significant changes to projections/assumptions used in setting the science-based targets.

For more information please see the SBTi Criteria section R12 – Target recalculation or the Target Validation Protocol section 7.

The 24-month commitment period begins the day that the commitment letter is signed. Your target must be submitted on the last day of the same month, 24 months later (e.g., a commitment signed on July 20, 2021 would expire July 31, 2023).

We encourage financial institutions and companies from all sectors and of all sizes to develop science-based targets. We acknowledge differences between business areas, which is why we offer sector-specific guidance.

The SBTi is especially keen to welcome companies in the highest-emitting sectors, who play a crucial role in ensuring the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

The current exceptions are fossil fuel companies and automakers:

Commitments and validations for fossil fuel companies have been paused while sector guidance is developed.

Near- and long-term target validations and target updates for automakers are paused until 1.5°C scope 3 targets for use-phase emissions from new road vehicles are developed and approved. Automakers are still able to commit to set targets.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can validate their near-term and net-zero targets and become part of the initiative by submitting to the streamlined target validation system for SMEs.

The SBTi reserves the right to perform due diligence before and after accepting new commitments and while reviewing submitted targets.

The SBTi does not currently assess targets for cities, local governments, public sector institutions, educational institutions or non-profit organizations. However, we encourage these stakeholders to consider science-based target setting methods on their own. Cities can register their interest in setting targets through the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN).

We strongly encourage companies to follow the step-by-step process and commit to set a target before submitting a target for validation.

By committing to set science-based targets before submitting targets for validation, organizations are recognized as “committed to setting a science-based target” on our website, as well as the We Mean Business Coalition website. Companies participating in the UN Global Compact will also be recognized on their website.

The exception is Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), who can bypass the commitment stage and immediately submit near-term or net-zero targets for approval through our streamlined SME target-setting route.

Yes. Companies can set targets using the SBTi's Corporate Net-Zero Standard - the world's first Standard for science-based corporate net-zero targets.

The SBTi safeguards all information provided by the company to assess its targets in accordance with the target validation service contract, which companies review and sign before the target validation process begins.

We publish approved targets on our Target Dashboard as well as a partner website (We Mean Business). The target wording is agreed by the company with the SBTi before publication.

The SBTi is currently undergoing a process to track company progress against targets, and released initial results in our 2020 Progress Report. In the coming year, the SBTi will issue more specific guidance on what companies are required to report annually on a public basis to facilitate this process in the future.

Meanwhile, companies should report their company-wide GHG emissions and progress against targets through annual reports, sustainability reports, the company’s website, and/or disclosure through CDP’s annual questionnaire.

Companies should publicly disclose their emissions inventory and progress against their targets. Recommendations include annual reports, sustainability reports, the company’s website, and/or disclosure through CDP’s annual questionnaire. Please see our guidance on CDP disclosure for more information.

Business disruption due to COVID-19 may impact the measurement and communication of progress against targets. The SBTi aims to release additional guidance in the coming years on this topic in general, but have laid out general guidance regarding measurement and communication considering potential business disruptions during this time.

Though the impact of COVID-19 would likely not be a reason to recalculate baseline emissions of targets on its own, companies may wish to recalculate science-based targets base year emissions if the pandemic has triggered any of the changes described in Chapter 5 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, such as structural changes in the business or outsourcing of emitting activities, if these changes exceed company-decided significance thresholds.

The SBTi recommends that each company makes their own determination about the appropriateness or necessity of recalculating base year emissions, but if this decision is made, companies must resubmit relevant targets to the SBTi using our resubmission process as detailed in the SBTi Target Validation Protocol.

The SBTi recommends that companies provide additional context when reporting on progress against targets for 2020 and 2021, explaining how COVID-19 has affected company emissions, and therefore target progress.

The SBTi currently does not independently make claims or verify claims of science-based target achievement. The SBTi recommends that for companies with 2020 or 2021 target years, that claims of achievement are either focused on progress in 2019, or discussion of 2020 or 2021 in context of any business disruptions or effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SBTi understands that science-based targets can be complex and difficult for companies to always communicate accurately. It is vital that details around science-based targets are communicated accurately to ensure their credibility is maintained. That’s why we have detailed communications guidance, which we share with all committed companies, to support them with communicating about their commitment and target.

When we see a company either intentionally or unintentionally misrepresenting their science-based target(s) or commitment(s) in their external communications, we will make contact, highlight the issue and ask them to make a correction.

However, we cannot police all communications about science-based targets all the time, so it is important that companies follow the guidelines to ensure they are communicating accurately.

Companies are encouraged to communicate about their targets or commitments, but you must follow our guidance about this. See our communications guidance for more information.

Commitments are normally processed and published on our website within two weeks of submitting the commitment form. Approved targets are published within one month of a company receiving their approval notice via email.

Companies may choose to reschedule their publication date to be published on any Thursday within six months of receiving your official target validation notice via email. To do so, please contact communications@sciencebasedtargets.org or respond to your target validation email at least three days in advance of your original publication date.

We update the dashboard every Thursday. The exact time of publication varies, updates are usually published before 12PM GMT and no later than 5.30PM GMT. Publication of targets and commitments currently pauses at the end of each calendar year, usually between early December and early January.

The following information will be made visible when committed to the SBTi:
1. Company/Financial Institution name
2. ISIN
3. LEI
4. Commitment Status
5. Headquartered region and location
6. Sector
7. Publication date
8. Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign/net-zero status

The following information will be added once a target is approved:
1. Near-term and long-term temperature rating
2. Net-zero year (if applicable)
3. Target wording

No. We are happy to provide advice and answer questions relating to your press release and other communications content, but we do not expect to approve it prior to publication.

However, we do ask that you align with our communications guidance for companies.

Yes. Use this form to report an error.

Yes. You may reschedule your targets to be published on any Thursday within 6 months of having received your official target validation notice via email. To do so, please reach out to communications@sciencebasedtargets.org at least 3 business days in advance of your original publication date.

No. Once you receive your official commitment or target validation email, you are free to publicly communicate your target or commitment, in line with our communications guidance.

Companies with validated science-based targets can use SBTi branding, such as our logo and Net-Zero Standard mark. However, it must only be used in close connection with your target. For example, your full target language should be included alongside the logo, or made easily accessible via a link or footnote.

Committed companies must also be committed to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign, and must use both logos in conjunction with each other. The logos must be included alongside language that clearly explains your commitment status.

More information is available in our communications guidance for companies.

For all other inquiries about use of our logo, contact the communications team at communications@sciencebasedtargets.org

The SBTi released the criteria version 5.0 at the end of 2021. These new criteria came into effect on July 15, 2022.

The SBTi made several changes to its criteria for near-term targets. These include:

• Increasing the minimum scope 1 and 2 ambition temperature classification from well below 2°C to 1.5°C.

• Increasing the minimum scope 3 ambition temperature classification from 2°C to well below 2°C.

• Shortening the time-frame for targets from 15 to 10 years.

Companies are able to set near-term scope 3 emission reduction targets aligned to either of the following options:

1. Absolute contraction in line with 1.5°C or well-below 2°C.

2. Sectoral Decarbonization Approach in line with 1.5°C or well-below 2°C.

3. Supplier Engagement Targets.

4. Economic Intensity Targets.

5. Physical Intensity Targets.

More details are included in the new version of the criteria.

While new targets from 15 July 2022 will only be accepted if they are consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, existing targets in line with well-below 2°C or 2°C (which were set before the new criteria was introduced) will continue to be valid.

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.

Enabling science-based emissions reductions for fossil fuel companies is complex and the SBTi is taking a cautious and deliberate approach. As always, our aim is to develop robust methodologies that will support decarbonization at the pace and scale required by science. To this end, the SBTi has engaged a consultant to facilitate a panel of independent external experts to complete an independent review of the draft oil and gas methods and guidance.

Due to the developing status of our method, in addition to the existing SBTi policy to pause the validation of fossil fuel sector targets, we are also pausing commitments from these companies. During this period, commitments will not be accepted from companies or subsidiaries in categories 1.1 and 1.2 below. This policy is effective immediately and removal of previous commitments by oil and gas sector companies has been completed.

The SBTi reserves the right to remove other committed companies that, after careful evaluation, are considered to fall within category 1 below. Companies subject to this policy with targets that were approved prior to the policy's implementation will remain valid for five years from the approval date.

1. Companies that cannot commit to the SBTi until the oil and gas method is finalized.

• 1.1 Companies with any level of direct involvement in exploration, extraction, mining and/or production of oil, natural gas, coal or other fossil fuels, irrespective of percentage revenue generated by these activities, i.e. including, but not limited to, integrated oil and gas companies, integrated gas companies, exploration and production pure players, refining and marketing pure players, oil products distributors, gas distributors and retailers and traditional oil and gas service companies (except as noted in category 2 below).

2. Companies that can join the SBTi

• 2.1 Companies that derive less than 50% of revenue from a) sale, transmission and distribution of fossil fuels, or b) providing equipment or services to fossil fuel companies (see 1.1).
• 2.2 Companies with less than 5% revenue from fossil fuel assets (e.g. coal mine, lignite mine, etc.) for extraction activities with commercial purposes.
• 2.3 Electric utilities that mine coal for their own power generation.
• 2.4 Subsidiaries of fossil fuel companies (see 1.1) may join the SBTi if the subsidiary itself is not considered a fossil fuel company.
  
  SBTi has discretion to evaluate the eligibility of fossil fuel company subsidiaries on a case-by-case basis based on the subsidiaries’ operational model and relevance of its emissions to the parent organization. Subsidiaries that are established for the sole purpose of setting an SBT on a portion of a fossil fuel companies’ GHG inventory are not permitted to join SBTi.
  
  For transparency, subsidiaries who set targets but whose parent companies are ineligible will be identified via a footnote in their target wording.
  

In summary, the SBTi is continuing work on the oil and gas methodology. Until this method is final, the following will be put in place:

• Companies that fit category 1 with commitments will be removed from the SBTi target dashboard
• The SBTi will no longer accept commitments and/or validate targets for companies that fit category 1

This policy will be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure it is aligned with the latest SBTi position. Please see our latest release on Oil and Gas Sector guidance here. For any questions, contact the team at OGSector@sciencebasedtargets.org.

Policy change log

• 07/19/2022 - policy updated to clarify approach regarding subsidiaries of fossil fuel companies
• 04/19/2022 - policy updated to improve clarity
• 03/07/2022 - policy update published

The SBTi has previously accepted commitments from all companies in which a sector development was underway. The O&G sector was treated similarly to other sectors. However, from the project work carried out thus far it has become apparent that science-based emissions reductions for the O&G sector and broader fossil fuels sectors are complex and the SBTi is taking a cautious and deliberate approach. As always, our aim is to develop robust methodologies that will support decarbonization at the pace and scale required by science.

Yes, the SBTi is continuing work on the O&G sector. Please visit our O&G sector webpage to review recent publication, and see our evaluation report for updates.

For other outstanding questions please contact OGsector@sciencebasedtargets.org.

Full confidence and agreement on the draft methodology was not developed internally and the SBTi sought further input via an external expert review of the methodology, you can read the report here. Please visit our O&G sector webpage for updates and to review recent publications.

As per C22 of the SBTi Target Validation Protocol, all companies involved in the sale or distribution of natural gas and/or other fossil fuels products shall set near-term and long-term scope 3 targets that are at a minimum consistent with the level of decarbonization required to keep global temperature increase to 1.5°C, irrespective of the share of these emissions compared to the total scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions of the company. Customer engagement targets as described in C19 are not eligible for this criterion. More guidance is detailed in C23 on the 50% revenue threshold for companies with fossil fuel activities.

For other outstanding questions please contact OGsector@sciencebasedtargets.org.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has temporarily paused near- and long-term target validations and target updates for automakers until 1.5°C scope 3 targets for use-phase emissions from new road vehicles are developed and approved. This decision is effective as of March 28 2022. Companies with existing commitments will be granted extensions if affected by this policy.

Addressing specific emission categories directly related to a company’s main activity has significant potential to improve the credibility and consistency of decarbonization claims for both near- and long-term targets. As the vast majority of automakers’ overall emissions originate from end-users driving the vehicles, company-wide decarbonization claims aligned with 1.5°C should accordingly be consistent across vehicle use-phase emissions, accounted for under scope 3 category 11 ‘use of sold products’.

There is currently no sectoral decarbonization approach (SDA) for transport that allows companies to align their use-phase emissions targets of new road vehicles with 1.5°C pathways. To ensure automakers can align the majority of emissions with a 1.5°C trajectory, this temporary pause has been put in place until the SBTi is able to update the SDA Transport tool pathways and make these respective changes to the SBTi Criteria.

This policy applies to the following:

• Automakers: These companies cannot submit scope 3 category 11 targets until 1.5°C-aligned pathways for new road vehicles are released. This applies to all newly manufactured road vehicles classified as: new light duty passenger vehicles, new light commercial vehicles, new medium freight trucks and new heavy freight trucks.

This policy does not apply to the following:

• Autopart manufacturers: Such companies with direct use of sold product emissions may continue to use the well-below-2°C aligned pathways for new road vehicles available in the SDA Transport Tool for setting targets. Alternatively, autopart manufacturers with direct use of sold products can apply other valid scope 3 target setting methods for informing target ambition for their category 11 emissions.

Our aim continues to be to develop robust methodologies that will support decarbonization at the pace and scale required by science. The SBTi is prioritizing the development of 1.5°C-aligned pathways for automakers. For any questions contact info@sciencebasedtargets.org.

The SBTi has previously validated targets from automakers in line with the Target Validation Protocol, where scope 3 targets covering ‘use of sold products’ have been required to meet the minimum level of ambition determined by the SDA Transport tool, covering well-to-wheel (WTW) emissions of sold vehicles, and aligned to the well-below 2°C pathway. As per our SBTi Criteria, companies with approved science-based targets must review, and if necessary recalculate and revalidate, their targets at a minimum every five years, following the most recent applicable criteria at the time of resubmission.

Yes, companies with existing commitments will be granted extensions if affected by this policy. Companies with approved targets will continue to be valid for five years from the date of approval.

This policy does not affect other companies in the transport sector such as companies that own/control vehicles, companies that subcontract/purchase transport services and companies that manufacture road vehicle parts e.g. including passenger transport companies, logistics service providers, shippers, carriers, postal companies, auto part manufacturers and generally companies with large transport emissions in their value chain. For more details see the SBT Transport Guidance.

This policy only affects automakers, including companies that manufacture new road vehicles, such as new light duty vehicles, new light commercial vehicles, new medium freight trucks and new heavy freight trucks. See also the table below for more details and the SBT Transport Guidance.

In order to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, we need to halve global GHG emissions by 2030. This means we need to see emissions reductions on a massive scale in the near-term - there is no time to lose. 1.5°C-aligned near-term science-based targets are critical to ensuring companies urgently begin reducing emissions now at the pace and scale required to stand a chance of reaching net-zero by 2050 and limiting warming to 1.5°C.

We have launched a pathway for the power sector, allowing electric utilities to set science-based targets aligned with 1.5°C. Power sector companies must follow this pathway when setting science-based targets.

Dozens of power generation companies from around 20 countries worldwide already have approved targets or commitments. Join them today - commit to setting a target and use our guidance to develop and submit a target for approval:

• Download the guidance.

• Download the science-based target setting tool.

Refer to the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign FAQs.

Any company that wants the SBTi to validate its net-zero target - including Business Ambition option 2 companies - will need to align its near-term science-based emissions reduction targets with 1.5°C.

Business Ambition for 1.5°C companies need to obtain net-zero target validation by January 2024. If your near-term science-based emissions reduction targets are not yet aligned to 1.5°C (scopes 1 and 2), your ambition must be increased when you submit your net-zero target for validation.

For more information on timelines for Business Ambition for 1.5°C companies please see our new Commitment Compliance Policy.