The Science Based Targets initiative is a global effort to help companies set and achieve ambitious emissions reduction targets that are consistent with the science needed to limit global warming to well below 2°C.
Definition:
Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI)
The Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) is an initiative that helps companies develop climate targets based on scientific evidence. The goal is to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and create a more sustainable future.
The SBTI was launched in 2015 by CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). It provides companies with an independent and transparent verification process to ensure that their climate targets are in line with scientific evidence to limit global warming.
To set an SBTI-compliant climate goal, companies must take certain steps:
The benefits of SBTI are clear: companies that align themselves with scientific findings can take more effective action against climate change while making their business more sustainable. By implementing climate targets based on science, companies can not only reduce their environmental and climate impact, but also improve their image and reputation.
Another benefit of the SBTI is that it helps companies comply with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement. The SBTI has set a goal that at least 250 companies will set science-based climate targets by 2020. By the end of 2019, more than 1,000 companies had already achieved this goal or were on track to do so.
Overall, the Science-Based Targets Initiative provides companies with a clear and science-based opportunity to address climate change and create a more sustainable future. As a sustainability professional, it is important to stay abreast of new initiatives like the SBTI and help companies implement sustainable practices.
