SBTI objectives: everything you need to know

What are the origins of SBTi?

SBTi, Science-based Targets Initiative, is an initiative created in 2015 by various institutions:

• The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an organization with a wealth of environmental data on companies, cities, regions and states.
• UN Global Compact (UNGC) is a United Nations initiative helping companies to adopt strategies and practices that respect the environment and consumers.
• The World Resources Institutes (WRI) is an organization that studies solutions to environmental challenges at different levels, for both governments and businesses.
• The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is an NGO dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development.

This science-based targets project was launched in the wake of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, one of whose main objectives is to curb global warming by limiting temperature rises to below 2°C or even 1.5°C. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is therefore essential to achieving this objective, and SBTi is working on this project.

Find out how Dametis can help you reduce your industry’s carbon footprint!

What is SBTi’s role?

SBTi’s main mission is to meet the objectives set by COP21, where theParis Climate Agreement was signedin 2015.

Numerous studies have shown that companies are the biggest producers of greenhouse gases. In fact, the manufacturing and construction industry is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with over 73 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2022, according to INSEE.

For a better future, it’s time to take action on corporate emissions, which is why SBTi is committed to helping and supporting companies in their decarbonization projects.

SBTi undertakes to :

• Raise companies’ awareness of good environmental practices and encourage them to become more responsible and transparent about their actions.
• Sharing expertise with companies
• Offer technical assistance
• Encourage companies to achieve carbon neutrality with the “Net Zero” standard.
• Ensure that the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by companies are in line with those of the Paris Agreement.

To ensure that companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions within the limits set by the Paris Climate Agreement, SBTi works closely with experts. They will work with organizations to set a qualitative GHG reduction target in terms of both timing and quantity.

To do this, these experts use SBTs (science-based targets), carbon budgets, greenhouse gas emission scenarios defined by the IPCC or IAE, and emissions allocation methods.

SBT targets must take account of GHG Protocol scope 1 and 2. Scope 3, on the other hand, is not taken into account if it represents less than 40% of total emissions generated by the company. To find out more about the different scopes, please click here.

Why commit your company to an SBT approach?

In addition to becoming a committed player for the climate, joining the SBTi also represents a number of major advantages for companies. Meeting SBT objectives will enable the organization to :

• Develop a more ethical brand image to attract customers, suppliers, investors and employees.
• Save money and improve energy performance
• Anticipating changes in public policy
• Sustain the company’s activity by securing energy resources and raw material supplies
• Gain a competitive edge

How can you commit your company to the SBTi approach?

Any company can take part in the process, but it must demonstrate commitment and transparency in its decarbonization process. Here are the different steps to follow in order to commit to the SBTI approach:

Step 1: Prove your commitment in writing

The first step is a quick administrative formality involving the completion of a letter of commitment, which must then be returned to SBTi. Signing this letter of commitment is essential to start the process. This document is available on the SBTi website.

Step 2: Set a goal that meets SBTi criteria

Following the letter of commitment, the company has two years in which to consider its decarbonization target. The target is set following a carbon assessment, which provides a baseline year in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Note that since 2022, applications must be aligned with a minimum ambition target of 1.5°C, failing which the application will be rejected by SBTi.

Step 3: Target validation

Once the target has been set, it must be sent to SBTi using the Target check form. The technical committee will take over the document and analyze it according to various criteria.

Step 4: Communicate publicly about your goal

SBTi strongly encourages the communication of objectives to all company stakeholders.

Massive awareness

Climate change is having a devastating impact on our planet. With melting ice caps, endangered species and recurring droughts, it’s time to take action to ensure a better future.

As GHGs are mainly generated by business activity, companies have a key role to play in the fight against climate change.

Today, companies are aware of their environmental impact and are subject to numerous regulations forcing them to review their strategies.

SBTi is a major ally for companies wishing to decarbonize. Setting a personalized, coherent and achievable target is a powerful incentive for organizations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and many companies have already begun the process.

They include Carrefour, Kellogg’s, Kering, Enel, Thalys… All the companies that have formulated SBT objectives are listed on the SBTi website.

• Kering is committed to reducing its operational greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and its transport emissions by 40% by 2025.
• Kellog’s has set itself the target of reducing its GHG emissions by 65% by 2050.
• What about you?

Dametis can help you reduce your industry’s greenhouse gas emissions!