SBTi Reaches Milestone of 10,000 Businesses Committed to Science-Based Climate Targets

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has announced a significant milestone, with over 10,000 businesses now setting science-based emissions reduction targets or committing to do so. This represents a 29% increase from the 7,425 companies committed as of last year.

Founded in 2015, the SBTi aims to establish science-based environmental target setting as a standard practice in corporate sustainability. The organization focuses on defining and promoting best practices for emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science. Additionally, it offers technical support to businesses and provides independent assessment and validation of their climate goals.

The rise in company participation follows a year of challenges for the SBTi, including the resignation of its former CEO amid controversy over a proposed plan to include carbon credits in corporate net-zero strategies under a revised Corporate Net Zero Standard. The organization recently appointed David Kennedy, former Chief Executive of the UK Committee on Climate Change, as its new CEO. The SBTi has also indicated it may reconsider the expanded use of carbon credits in its updated standards.

In addition to its overall growth, the SBTi reported that the number of companies with validated science-based climate targets has exceeded 7,000, up from approximately 4,200 at the end of 2023. This marks a more than two-thirds increase. The organization had more than doubled the number of companies with validated targets between 2022 and 2023 and has implemented measures to address growing demand for its decarbonization standards and target validation services.

In a statement acknowledging the milestone, the SBTi said, “We applaud these 10,000 companies and financial institutions for their commitment to robust, credible and ambitious climate action. We urge all eligible businesses to follow suit and set emission reduction targets aligned with science. The time to act is now—our planet depends on it.”