The Role of Science-Based Target Initiatives (SBTi) in Corporate Climate Action
The Science Based Targets initiative provides a trusted framework for companies to set credible, science-aligned emissions reduction targets. As scrutiny of corporate climate claims grows, SBTi helps businesses prove their commitments are real and aligned with global climate goals. SBTi is becoming essential for large corporations, suppliers in major value chains, and sustainability-focused businesses. KarbonWise supports companies at every stage of the SBTi journey, from building leadership buy-in and preparing submissions to creating net-zero pathways and tracking progress with real-time data and tailored reporting. Overall, SBTi strengthens corporate climate action, and KarbonWise helps organisations turn these commitments into measurable, long-term results.
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The Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) is a globally recognised framework that enables companies to set science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets aligned with climate science. By providing an independent validation of corporate emissions targets, the SBTi ensures that climate commitments are both credible and measurable. It has rapidly become the gold standard for corporate climate action, with over 10,000 businesses worldwide either setting or committing to science-based targets.
SBTi's rigorous process ensures that corporate climate pledges translate into actionable targets. Companies must calculate their full carbon footprint (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) and align their reduction targets with scientifically backed methodologies. This framework holds organisations accountable for their commitments and provides a pathway for meaningful decarbonisation.
The role of SBTi in climate action is twofold: it acts as a trusted verifier of corporate climate commitments, ensuring that businesses set and meet science-based emissions reduction targets, and it helps set an ambition for decarbonisation, helping companies align their goals with the latest climate science.
Corporate climate pledges have surged in recent years, but so has scrutiny over their legitimacy. Investors, regulators, and the public increasingly demand external validation to ensure that businesses are making genuine, science-backed efforts to reduce emissions. This is where SBTi plays a crucial role. As a trusted custodian of climate targets, SBTi establishes robust standards and verifies whether companies' targets align with global climate goals.
Moreover, SBTi provides transparency and consistency in climate target-setting by establishing clear requirements, such as minimum reduction thresholds and required scope coverage. This credibility helps businesses gain stakeholder trust and differentiates them from competitors engaging in greenwashing.
At the same time, organisations require expertise and strategic guidance to successfully navigate this journey. KarbonWise has deep capabilities in supporting companies at various stages of the SBTi process, whether they are in the pre-target validation phase, preparing their submissions, or tracking their ongoing progress post-validation.
Who should be thinking about SBTi targets?
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How KarbonWise supports clients in the SBTi journey
KarbonWise provides end-to-end support for companies at different stages of their SBTi journey, helping them navigate complexities and maximise the benefits of science-based target-setting.
Take the Next Step Toward Science-Based Climate Action
Setting science-based targets through SBTi offers significant benefits, helping companies align their climate commitments with global standards, gain stakeholder trust, and future-proof their operations. Whether you are a large corporation setting the pace for sustainability, a mid-sized supplier aligning with industry expectations, or a sustainability-first business building credibility, SBTi helps set ambitious decarbonisation goals grounded in science.
KarbonWise brings the expertise, strategic guidance, and technological support needed to help organisations at every stage of the SBTi journey. From defining a business case and setting ambitious yet achievable targets to ensuring compliance and tracking performance, we offer comprehensive, hands-on support.
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Understanding GRI
GRI gives organisations a clear structure for reporting their environmental, social, and economic impacts in a credible, comparable way. It helps companies identify what matters most, choose relevant standards, and disclose information that builds trust with stakeholders. By using GRI, businesses strengthen transparency, improve decision making, and stay prepared for evolving global reporting requirements.
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Understanding the GHG Protocol
The GHG Protocol is the global framework that helps organisations measure and report their emissions clearly and consistently. It defines Scope 1, 2, and 3 so companies can understand where their emissions come from and how to reduce them. It supports transparency, comparability, and better decision making, and it underpins major disclosure systems worldwide. Although using it can be complex, especially for Scope 3, it remains essential for credible climate action and future-ready business strategy.
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