The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets. The SBTi is an independent organization, originally founded by CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with the support of the We Mean Business Coalition. The SBTi call to action is one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. Find out more about the SBTi here.

Science-based targets show companies how much and how quickly businesses need to reduce their GHG emissions to prevent the worst impacts of climate change - leading them on a clear path towards decarbonization. Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. In 2021, the SBTi announced to make 1.5°C the central ambition in the target setting framework. Since June 2022, targets with lower ambition are no longer validated by the initiative.

The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science, provides technical assistance and expert resources to companies who set science-based targets in line with the latest climate science and brings together a team of experts to provide companies with independent assessment and validation of targets.

The private sector’s uptake of science-based targets sends a clear signal that the transition to a low-carbon economy is underway. However, only a few companies in emerging markets have set science-based targets. It is a priority for the SBTi to close this geographical gap in the adoption of SBTs, by addressing barriers and exploiting opportunities, and supporting the local SBTi partner organizations to collaborate at the national and regional level.  

Over the course of the accelerator programme, companies will participate in on-demand self-learning sessions, online workshops and peer-learning opportunities, and global sessions featuring global case studies on climate action. On average, participants may expect around seven hours of self-learning on-demand content and six hours of facilitated group sessions. Participants will also be invited to attend global events. In total, participants should plan to dedicate 25 to 30 hours to the Climate Ambition Accelerator over six months.

Companies are constantly being asked by investors and clients to reduce emissions and set ambitious targets, but there is still a knowledge gap regarding what to do and how to do it. The Climate Ambition Accelerator will equip companies with the knowledge and skills they need to set science-based targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway, setting them on a path towards net-zero emissions by 2050. No matter where companies are in their sustainability journey, the Climate Ambition Accelerator will help them get started and make progress towards setting ambitious emission targets. Fulfillment of science-based targets will set you up to join the Forward Faster initiative.

Participating companies that already have emissions reduction targets are welcome to join the initiative in order to further develop their current commitments and increase their climate ambition. The Accelerator will equip companies with the knowledge required to advance in terms of climate ambition and set science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C scenario of the Paris Agreement, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. 

The Climate Ambition Accelerator welcomes participants from different sizes, from multinational companies to SMEs. The private sector as whole has a key role to play in sending strong market signals and scaling innovative solutions to present concrete, realistic plans towards a zero-carbon economy while advocating for a green recovery. The Accelerator is also designed for companies that are starting their journey towards ambitious science-based emissions reduction and will support companies to build a strong foundation covering the greenhouse gas accounting concepts to enable them to move towards emissions management and ambitious climate action.