Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG)

Guidance for land-intensive sectors

Why take action?

The forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) sector is one of the most affected by the impacts of climate change. But it is also a significant source of emissions. It represents 22% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - the largest emitting sector after energy.

To keep 1.5°C within reach, tackle food crisis risks and enable the transformation to a global net-zero future, cutting land related emissions is paramount.

Many companies with land-intensive operations have set science-based targets or committed to set targets through the SBTi. Many have also reported their GHG emissions publicly. However, few have accounted for land-based emissions or removals in their climate targets or disclosures. A key barrier was the lack of available guidance and methods - until now.

A new methodology

The Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) Science-Based Target-Setting Guidance enables businesses in land-intensive sectors to set science-based targets that include land-based emissions reductions and removals.

The SBTi FLAG Guidance offers a common, robust, science-based understanding on how much and how quickly a company needs to cut its land-related emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Key requirements of the SBTi FLAG Guidance

1. Set near-term FLAG science-based targets: 5-10 year emissions reduction targets in line with limiting warming to 1.5°C.
2. Account for removals in near-term FLAG science-based targets: Biogenic CO2 removals include things like restoring natural ecosystems, improving forest management practices, deploying silvopasture, and enhancing soil carbon sequestration on pasture and farmland. Read more on how the FLAG pathways address carbon removals here.
3. Set long-term FLAG science-based targets: Companies with significant activities in the land and agriculture sectors must reduce at least 72% of emissions by no later than 2050. They should use the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard to set long-term FLAG science-based targets.
4. Set a no-deforestation commitment with a target date no later than 2025: In line with the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi). Read more on how this guidance accounts for land-use change emissions here.
5. Set science-based targets for energy/industry emissions: Businesses with land-based emissions are required to set FLAG science-based targets AND energy/industry targets, since all companies produce fossil emissions.