An Introduction to Science Based Targets

Introduction

I’ve been working in environmental management for a fair few years now and over this time I have seen many initiatives. One that seems to be gaining traction over the last few years is ‘Science based targets’ (SBTs). I am seeing them being quoted by many organisations. I think it’s always important to keep up with the latest initiatives, so I have decided to take a look at SBTs in this post as it could be something that environmental practitioners may wish to develop in the organisations in which they work.

Background

The Science based target Initiative (SBTi) is a charity that has numerous well known partners, such as the United Nations Global Compact, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). This is the main repository of knowledge on SBTs. I have got to admit, I have been impressed by the amount of information on their website that assists organisations to develop SBTs.

SBT’s are targets for climate change that can be applied by organisations that meet the requirements of the Paris Agreement 2015, namely a global commitment to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C (ideally 1.5°C) above preindustrial levels. This requires a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Obviously, we all have a part to play in achieving these goals, but businesses in particular must take action. This is where the SBTi come in by providing tools and guidance on how to set climate change and related targets that are grounded in science with the aim of achieving the Paris Agreement targets.

The SBTi provides three types of standards for setting SBT. These are:

• Corporate net zero standard – for the setting of science based net-zero targets.
• Sector specific standards – SBTs for various industry sectors aligned with the 1.5°C Paris target, and
• Supplementary guidance – currently covering supplier engagement and beyond value chain mitigation.

It is very useful the SBTi has developed SBT guidance for sectors. Currently these have been developed, or are in the process of being developed, for 14 industry sectors such as apparel and footwear, cement, land transport, and power.

The guidance notes are relatively detailed and have been developed by collaboration with organisations in that industry sector. The Apparel and Footwear standard, for example, had an expert advisory group consisting of players from Nike, Levi Strauss, and Marks and Spencer.

Science based target setting

The purpose of this post is not to delve deep into how to set SBT using the SBTi guidance but to give a general overview. The standards are very detailed but setting near-term SBTs for example, generally goes something like this:

• Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions – a 1.5°C aligned target 5-10 years from when it is validated by the SBTi. Namely reduce emissions by 4.2% annually (apart from ‘forest, land and agriculture’ and ‘power’). For scope 2 80% renewable electricity must be procured by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
• Scope 3 – where these are less than 40% of overall emissions, targets are encouraged but not required. Where over 40% one or more emissions reduction targets and/or supplier engagement targets must be set that together cover at least 67% of all scope 3 emissions and aligned with the 2°C pathway. These must be achieved 5-10 years from when the SBTs are validated by the SBTi.

There is also criteria for setting long term net-zero targets. The SBTi guidance is very detailed but I advise as a starter you read the ‘Getting started guide for Science-Based Target Setting’ guide. It gives a good overview of what is involved and whether it might be something that you progress with in your organisation.

Final Note

Overall, the SBTi provides an excellent set of resources and its standards and methodology are internationally recognised most like ISO 14001 or Sustainable Development Goals. Its approach is certainly gaining traction in industry with some big players setting SBTs using the guidance they produce.

John Binns BSc (Hons) MSc MIEMA is an experienced environmental tutor and consultant.