SBTi: Definition
The SBTi, Science-based Targets Initiative, in French “Science-Based Targets”, is an initiative based on companies’ commitment to combat global warming. The SBTi encourages them to set concrete and achievable targets to reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
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What are the origins of SBTi?
The SBTi 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.
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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 (to be differentiated from the Net Zero initiative framework created by Carbone 4).
- 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, the SBTi works closely with experts, particularly Energy Managers. These experts will collaborate with organizations to set a qualitative GHG reduction target in terms of both timeline 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.
SBTi and Scope 1, 2 or 3: What do they mean?
SBT targets must necessarily take into account Scope 1 and 2 of the carbon footprint assessment set by the GHG Protocol. Scope 3, however, is not taken into account if it represents less than 40% of the total emissions generated by the company.
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SBTi and “Net Zero”: A closer look at the standard
To encourage companies to achieve carbon neutrality, SBTi has set up its “Net Zero” benchmark, defined according to 4 main elements:
- Setting short-term objectives
- Setting long-term objectives
- Corporate investment in carbon avoidance projects outside the value chain
- Neutralization of all residual emissions
Version 2.0 of the SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard was published in June 2026, marking the transition from a logic of simply defining targets to the concrete and operational implementation of actions.
Why commit your company to an SBTi approach?
In addition to actively contributing to the fight against climate change, SBTi commitment offers numerous major advantages for companies. Meeting SBT targets 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
Obtaining SBTi validation is proof of the credibility and scientific rigor of your approach to combating global warming (compared to the trajectories issued by IPCC experts).
How can you commit your company to the SBTi approach?
Any company can embark on this journey; it will then need to demonstrate commitment and transparency in its decarbonization process. Here are the different steps to follow to commit to the SBTi approach:
Step 1: Prove your SBTi 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
After its letter of commitment, the company has a period of two years to consider the target it must achieve in terms of decarbonization. The target is established following a carbon footprint assessment, which provides a reference year for greenhouse gas emissions. Subsequently, the company sets concrete (short-term) reduction targets relative to this reference year. For example, reducing its emissions by 20%.
Note that since 2022, applications must be aligned with a minimum ambition target of 1.5°C; otherwise, the application will be rejected by the SBTi. Furthermore, targets must comply with the SBTi criteria applicable to its sector and company category.
Step 3: Target validation
Once the target has been set, it must be forwarded 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
The SBTi strongly encourages communicating the set targets to all company stakeholders. SBTi validation of targets is not a certificate attesting that the company is already carbon neutral.
Step 5: Implementation of actions
The company must then implement the determined actions, continue to monitor its emissions, and report on its progress.
Note: A tailored procedure exists for SMEs.
Learn more: SBTi framework and decarbonization
Criteria to meet for SBTi validation
| Criterion | What SBTi expects |
| Emissions scope | A complete and sufficiently documented GHG inventory |
| Reference year | A year representative of the company’s activities and emissions |
| Climate ambition | A reduction consistent with the applicable method and framework |
| Scope 3 | Appropriate consideration of value chain emissions |
| Decarbonization plan | Concrete actions to achieve targets |
| Monitoring | Annual publication of progress made |
Can we speak of SBTi certification?
No, SBTi is not a certification. It is an initiative that validates that the GHG emission reduction and decarbonization targets set by the company are in line with the Paris Agreement (and limiting global warming to 1.5°C).
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 represents a major ally for companies wishing to decarbonize. By setting a personalized, coherent and achievable objective, organizations are encouraged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and many companies have already begun the process.
Among them are: Carrefour, Kellogg’s, Kering, Enel, Thalys… All companies that have formulated SBT targets are listed on the SBTi website. Here are some examples of SBTi commitments:
- 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!
Tailored SBTi support
Dametis helps industrial companies structure, calculate, and validate their decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction targets within the framework of an SBTi commitment. We support your industrial sites in aligning with the scientific trajectories set by the Paris Agreement, particularly carbon neutrality by 2050.
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