SBTi appoints David Kennedy as CEO

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) today announces the appointment of David Kennedy as its new CEO, following an extensive, competitive global recruitment process. David succeeds Sue Jenny Ehr, who has been serving as interim CEO and will support David as he joins the SBTi to ensure a smooth transition. He will lead the SBTi, including its target validation subsidiary.

David has decades of experience at the forefront of sustainability, and a proven track record of successfully leading complex organizations to deliver impactful change.

He currently serves as Partner at EY, where he has led work on net-zero strategy and planning for international and national businesses across banking, food, infrastructure and manufacturing. He was previously Director General of Food, Biosecurity and Trade at the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), where he led on food strategy, including net-zero and nature, food security, and farming reform, as well as transforming the department's ways of working.

David was also the founding Chief Executive of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC). Under his leadership, the CCC designed sector pathways, carbon budgets, targets, metrics, milestones, and key policies for the nation’s net-zero transition. David held key roles at the World Bank and EBRD early in his career. He has a PhD in economics from the London School of Economics.

David will lead the SBTi as it evolves to support a wider range of companies around the world, ensuring it has the appropriate structures and technical capacity to deliver its ambitious workplan. He joins the SBTi at a pivotal moment as it continues its global expansion: just under 40% of global market cap companies have validated SBTi targets or commitments to set targets, with the strongest growth seen in Asia. The SBTi remains the global standard for voluntary climate leadership, aiding businesses in their pursuit of ambitious climate goals with practical tools and guidelines. This year, it will initiate a consultation for the updated Corporate Net-Zero Standard and continue to develop sector-specific standards.

David is expected to start in early Q2, with the specific date subject to agreement by EY.

Francesco Starace, Chair of SBTi, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome David to the SBTi as our new CEO. He has extensive leadership in climate action, a track record of working with both the public and private sector, exceptional strategic capabilities and proven operational effectiveness. As the founding Chief Executive of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC), David is a true pioneer with unrivalled qualifications. The Board unanimously approved the Nomination Committee’s proposal for David’s appointment and is confident that he will help the SBTi’s continued global growth as the SBTi continues to build capacity to ensure that businesses have the confidence and practical tools to decarbonize. I would also like to thank Sue Jenny Ehr for all her support and hard work as interim CEO. She has been a steady pair of hands and will provide David with the essential guidance he needs during his first few months.”

David Kennedy, incoming CEO, said: “I am delighted to be joining the SBTi as the new CEO. I've spent much of my career working on energy, climate change and sustainability with governments and the private sector. I admire the impact that SBTi has had, catalysing action by thousands of companies around the world: it is an organisation that really matters. I am excited at the prospect of working with the team and partners to advance the mission of the SBTi and deliver even more change at scale, supporting business to make its contribution to the global climate objective in the next crucial period.”