Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi): Corporate Climate Action
UPSC Notes
The Science Based Targets initiative is a corporate climate-action framework that helps companies and financial institutions set greenhouse-gas emission-reduction targets aligned with climate science.
It develops standards, methods and guidance for assessing whether organisational targets align with pathways intended to limit global warming.
Major features
Near-term targets generally cover emission reductions over the next 5–10 years.
Net-zero targets require immediate action and long-term emission reductions consistent with the applicable standard.
Companies assess emissions across relevant parts of their operations and value chains.
Target validation evaluates whether submitted targets meet the initiative's criteria.
The initiative's standards and guidance include requirements addressing direct emissions and relevant indirect emissions.
Key Pointers for UPSC
Full form: Science Based Targets initiative.
Purpose: Science-aligned corporate emission-reduction targets.
Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organisation.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling.
Scope 3: Other relevant value-chain emissions.
SBTi is not a national emissions regulator or an international treaty.
Its standards evolve; consult the applicable version when assessing current corporate targets.
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