Everything You Need to Know About the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
In today’s business landscape, sustainability isn’t just a virtue — it’s a competitive advantage.
Across industries, customers, investors, and regulators now expect companies to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using real climate science, not vague action plans or marketing language.
That’s where the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) comes in. It has become the global benchmark for credible, science-aligned climate commitments.
If you’ve been asked by a major client to set science-based targets, are exploring sustainability goals internally, or want to future-proof your company against emerging regulations, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know — and how to approach SBTi the right way.
What Is the SBTi?
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global framework that helps companies develop greenhouse gas reduction targets aligned with the latest climate science.
Its mission is simple but urgent:
Keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C and prevent the most severe impacts of climate change.
The SBTi is a partnership between: CDP, United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
The initiative provides sector-specific guidance, detailed criteria, validation service, and a public registry of companies and their progress
Companies can set:
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Near-term targets (5–10 year emission reduction goals)
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Net-zero targets (long-term alignment with the 1.5°C pathway by 2050)
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Or both
Once validated, targets appear on the public SBTi dashboard to demonstrate transparency and climate leadership.
Why Companies Are Adopting SBTi Targets
Over 12,000 companies worldwide have committed and the momentum keeps growing. Key drivers include:
Client & Supply Chain Pressure
Large corporations are increasingly requiring suppliers to disclose emissions and adopt science-based targets to maintain preferred vendor status.
Regulatory Acceleration
New regulations mandate emissions disclosure and will soon require credible reduction plans.
Reputation & Brand Leadership
Companies demonstrating real climate action attract customers, talent, and investors.
Financial & Investor Expectations
ESG-focused investors prioritize companies with measurable, validated climate commitments.
The SBTi Process: How It Works
The path to validated science-based targets includes five key steps:
1. Measure
Complete a full GHG inventory across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions.
This baseline is essential to identify major emission sources and reduction opportunities.
2. Commit
Submit a commitment letter to the SBTi, publicly pledging to set science-based targets within 24 months.
3. Develop Targets
Use SBTi guidance and tools to design targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway.
4. Submit for Validation
SBTi reviews the targets, evaluates alignment with their criteria, and provides official approval.
5. Disclose & Implement
Publicly share your targets and begin executing your emissions reduction plan — energy efficiency, renewable energy procurement, supplier engagement, and more.
Common Challenges (and Why Companies Fail)
While the concept seems straightforward, the reality is much more complex. Many companies struggle with issues that lead to failed validations or unachievable commitments:
Incomplete or inaccurate GHG inventories
Missing data, especially Scope 3, undermines credibility and fails to meet submission requirements.
Unclear reduction pathways
Choosing unrealistic or non-compliant reduction trajectories leads.
Lack of technical expertise
Internal teams often don’t have the specialized training needed to meet evolving criteria.
Targets that fail validation
Once rejected, your organization faces both operational and reputational risks, especially since SBTi commitments are public.
This is why many companies work with experienced sustainability consultants. A certified expert ensures accurate data, compliant modeling, and strong validation outcomes.
Why Expertise Matters
Your SBTi target is a public commitment.
If your targets are built on flawed data or unrealistic assumptions, your company risks validation failure, investor scrutiny, reputational damage, and missed client requirements.
Working with a qualified expert dramatically reduces that risk.
Think Evergreen has SBTi-Certified Expert staff , a designation held by fewer than 100 people worldwide.
That means you’ll receive guidance that is technically rigorous, strategically sound, and aligned with the most current SBTi criteria.