FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

More than 200 financial institutions have validated science-based targets or have publicly committed to set emissions reduction targets through the SBTi. In 2018, the SBTi launched a project to help financial institutions align their lending and investment portfolios with the ambition of the Paris Agreement. In October 2021, the first financial institutions had their science-based targets validated.

• Read our blog: A Turning Point for the Sector
• Read the strategy and theory of change that underpin the SBTi’s approach to enabling financial institutions to reduce real economy emissions and contribute to the net-zero transition through science-based targets.
• Read about SBTi's Finance work in 2022

World Resources Institute (WRI) is the managing SBTi partner for this project and works closely with WWF and CDP through a project core team.

Financial support for this work has been provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), ClimateWorks Foundation, Keeling Curve Prize, Hewlett Foundation, ClimateArc, Laudes Foundation, and The Bank of New York Mellon.

Guidance and Criteria

• Private Equity Sector Science-Based Target Guidance
• Financial Sector Science-based targets Guidance
• SBTi Criteria and Recommendations for Financial Institutions (updated April 2021 version, a previous October 2020 version is also available in Japanese)

Submission resources and tools

• SBTi Target Submission Form and Guidance for Financial Institutions – This submission form is prepared specifically for financial institutions to input information necessary for the assessment against the sector specific criteria. It includes fields to enter s1 and 2 and s3 portfolio target information, as well as target language templates and action reporting templates
• Science-based target setting tool – This tool was developed for companies and can be applied to sector-level components of financial institutions’ portfolios. This version of the tool is to be used for modelling targets with 1.5°C ambition, and includes the following sector-specific pathways: Power, Services - Buildings, Residential Buildings, Cement.
• Science-based target setting tool - well-below 2°C for Financial Institutions - This tool is a modification of the above version intended only for use by financial institutions, to be applied to sector-level components of financial institutions’ portfolios. This version of the tool is to be used for modelling targets with well-below 2°C ambition, and includes the following sector-specific pathways: Power, Iron & Steel, Cement, Aluminium, Pulp & Paper.
• Commercial Real Estate and Residential Mortgage Tool
• SBTi Finance tool for temperature scoring and portfolio coverage

Webinar and presentations

• Financial Institution Guidance launch webinar and slides
• Private Equity Guidance walkthrough webinar and slides
• Panel Discussion on Meeting Private Equity Sector Science-Based Targets webinar and slides
• Science-Based Targets for Financial Institutions: Criteria Deep Dive webinar, slides and FAQ
• SBTi Finance Update and Showcase of Leading Science Based Targets webinar and slides
• Public Consultation on SBTi Resources for Financial Institutions webinar and slides
• Deep-dive webinar: SBTi Fossil Fuel Finance Position Paper Draft and slides
• Deep-dive video: SBTi Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard Draft
• Deep-dive video: SBTi Financial Institutions Near-Term Guidance Version 2 Draft

Further Questions

• Science-Based Targets for Financial Institutions FAQs
• Private Equity Sector Science-Based Target Guidance FAQs
• Community Forum for Financial Institutions – This is the primary channel for technical and query support to help FIs on their journey to adopt SBTs on their operations and portfolio activities

The SBTi is allowing FIs that have publicly committed to setting an SBT to extend their submission deadline until six months after the publication of the FINZ Standard V1.

• This extension is intended to allow the coordination of near-term and net-zero target development for SBTi assessment.

• To standardize target-setting deadlines, the extension applies to all publicly committed FIs with an active commitment that expires before April 2024 (or six months after the FINZ standard publication, whichever is later). The FINZ Standard is expected to be published in Q4 of 2023. The extension is optional.

• FIs that wish to partake of this extension must inform SBTi prior to their current public expiration date. FIs may notify SBTi by sending an email to commitments@sciencebasedtargets.org.

• FIs with SBTs that have been validated by the SBTi will not be required to take further action until the expected revision of their targets five years after their publication.

The below training modules equip financial institutions with the tools and information needed to set science-based targets. Each module covers a different aspect of setting financial science-based targets, ranging from making the business case for decarbonizing to completing target calculations.

View the full playlist of the Training Modules for Financial Institutions on YouTube, or take a look at the individual modules below:

• Module 1: The case for change
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 2: Voluntary finance climate action ecosystem
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 3: Developing SBTs: Overview
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 4: Developing SBTs: Scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 operational emissions
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 5: Developing SBTs: Scope 3 financed emissions – Overview
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 6: Developing SBTs: Scope 3 financed emissions – Calculation deep dive and case studies
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 7: Developing SBTs: Scope 3 financed emissions – Data considerations and trade-offs
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 8: Validating, disclosing, and recalculating
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides
• Module 9: Governance, change management, and meeting targets
  • Watch the training session
  • Download the slides

The SBTi’s framework for financial institutions was developed through an inclusive, multi-stakeholder process, including consultation with: an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) representing financial institutions, consultants, NGOs, and academic institutions; financial institutions participating in method road testing; and a broader Stakeholder Advisory Group which provides input at key milestones in the framework development process.

Here are highlights from the guidance development process:

• September 2018: First EAG meeting. Read a summary of the discussion.
• December 2018: EAG meeting to introduce the draft methods and solicit initial feedback.
• February 2019: EAG meeting to obtain feedback on the road-testing process.
• April 2019: Launch of methods road-testing process. Watch a recording of the webinar and view slides.
• April-September 2019: Gathered feedback from financial institutions and other stakeholders on draft asset class-based methods through road-testing process and an open stakeholder consultation.
• October 2019: Hosted a webinar to share a summary of feedback received from companies participating in the road testing process. Watch a recording of the webinar and view slides. Read a summary of method road-testing feedback (December 2019).
• November 2019: Co-hosted a webinar with Global Compact Network Australia and WWF to share progress on methodologies with financial institutions in Oceania and Asia Pacific. Watch a recording of the webinar and view slides.
• February 2020: Hosted workshops in London and Tokyo to gather feedback from stakeholders on draft target validation criteria. View slides here.
• April 2020: Hosted a webinar to initiate public call for feedback on development of a new temperature scoring draft methodology for companies and investment portfolios. Watch a recording and view slides.
• April-May 2020: Conducted public consultation to gather input from stakeholders on draft target validation criteria and tool development process that will serve as central components of the SBTi’s framework for financial institutions.
• May 2020: Hosted a webinar to share a summary of stakeholder feedback on draft target validation criteria. Watch a recording and view slides.
• May 2020: Participated in a webinar hosted by the Institute of International Finance to share a project overview and update. View recording.
• August 2020: Public consultation on the first draft of the Financial Sector Science Based Targets Guidance took place from August 6-27, 2020.
• July-August 2020: Beta testing of an open-source temperature scoring and portfolio coverage launched.
• August-October 2020: Revised the first draft of the guidance based on feedback received in the survey and other engaged stakeholders; revised the Temperature Rating and Portfolio Coverage tool and tool documentation based on feedback received from beta testers.
• October 2021: The first targets validated by the initiative.

Visit our community forum for support from the SBTi team, and peers.

For general questions, including questions about the SBTi Finance Tool for Temperature Scoring & Portfolio Coverage, please contact:

• Nate Aden, Senior Fellow, World Resources Institute
• Howard Shih, Research Associate, World Resources Institute

Sign up for the SBTi's Financial Institutions Stakeholder Advisory Group to stay up to date with project milestones.

The initiative defines a financial institution as one that engages in investment activities as part of its core functions. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Asset management/asset owners
2. Retail and commercial banking activities
3. Insurance companies (when functioning asset managers)
4. Mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs)

In addition, if at least 5% of a company’s revenue comes from activities such as those described above, they would be considered a financial institution.

The financial sector’s largest impact comes from its investment and lending activities (known as scope 3 emissions) and therefore it is imperative that targets for this sector encompass such activities.