{"id":1938,"date":"2021-01-28T14:06:10","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T13:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecochain.com\/blogs\/how-to-get-going-science-based-targets\/"},"modified":"2025-03-26T11:59:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T11:59:43","slug":"how-to-get-going-science-based-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecochain.com\/de\/blog\/how-to-get-going-science-based-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"Science-Based Targets: What They Are, Why They Work & How To Get Going"},"content":{"rendered":"

Increasing numbers of organizations are embracing reporting and reducing their greenhouse gas emissions<\/a> (GHG). With that incentive in mind, they often aim to set certain (short-term) goals to achieve.<\/p>\n

But what kind of goals should you really<\/span> set? How can you make sure your targets truly matter<\/span> in the long run?<\/p>\n

You make them science-based.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What are Science-Based Targets?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Short summary: Science-based targets (SBT\u2019s) are organizational targets that show how much- and how quickly organizations need to reduce their Greenhouse Gas emissions. In order to prevent the worst effects of climate change from happening (source: <\/span>SBTi<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These targets are created by the <\/span>Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)<\/span><\/a> and are scientifically confirmed requirements that will set the path for transitioning to a low (preferably zero) carbon economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

SBT\u2019s are very useful. They provide clear goals that can help all types of organizations to reduce their GHG emissions. But, in a manner that is in line with meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.\u00a0<\/strong>To limit global warming to the + 1.5\u00b0C<\/span>\u2013 2\u00b0C threshold (above 2\u00b0C will have significant negative consequences for our environment).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We need to <\/span>halve our collective greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2030<\/b> and <\/span>drop them to zero-carbon emissions by 2050.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Science-based targets are organizational targets that show how much and how quickly organizations need to reduce their Greenhouse Gas emissions in order to prevent the worst effects of climate change from happening.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Image 1: The process of committing your company targets to the Science-based Targets Initiative.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why should we pay attention to Science-based Targets?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The popularity of SBTi has increased significantly over the years. Right now 2127 companies<\/a> have committed to science-based targets, including some of the world\u2019s biggest companies, such as Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc. And they cut emissions fast (image 1).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Image 2. Emissions cut by organizations that implement SBT\u2019s. Source: Science-Based Targets initiative \u2013 adapted by Bloomberg Green.\u00a0<\/em>
\n*Note: this graph only includes <\/em>scope 1, and 2 emissions.<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Measuring and implementing sustainable change as an organization is increasingly becoming a more important criterion from various stakeholders and investors. If you\u2019re a larger organization, you will have a large impact on the environment because of your size. And will be expected to do something about it.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

With these targets, your sustainability efforts are validated, placed in the bigger sustainability picture, and aligned with the CPD (Carbon Disclosure Project) and the <\/span>GHG Protocol<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These comparable targets will provide many organizations with:<\/span><\/p>\n