Science-based targets

Definition

Science-based targets are greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals that are aligned with the latest climate science, specifically to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels. These targets help organizations understand their required contributions to mitigating climate change, ensuring that their emissions reductions are in line with what is necessary to prevent the most dangerous impacts of climate change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Science-based targets provide companies with a clear framework for reducing emissions in line with climate science, helping them contribute to global climate goals.
2. Organizations can set science-based targets at different levels, including absolute reductions, intensity reductions, or using a combination of both approaches.
3. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validates targets set by companies to ensure they are consistent with the latest climate science.
4. Setting and achieving science-based targets can enhance a company's reputation and competitiveness by demonstrating commitment to sustainability and climate action.
5. As more organizations adopt science-based targets, they create a collective impact that drives significant emissions reductions across industries.

Review Questions

• How do science-based targets contribute to corporate strategies in addressing climate change?
  • Science-based targets help companies align their emissions reduction strategies with global climate goals. By committing to specific, science-backed objectives, organizations can ensure that their efforts effectively contribute to limiting global warming. This alignment not only helps companies mitigate their environmental impact but also allows them to anticipate regulatory changes and meet consumer expectations related to sustainability.
• Discuss the role of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in promoting corporate accountability towards emissions reductions.
  • The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) plays a crucial role in promoting corporate accountability by validating companies' emissions reduction targets against established scientific benchmarks. By ensuring that these targets are ambitious and aligned with the latest climate research, the SBTi encourages organizations to take meaningful action towards reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. This validation process fosters transparency and builds trust among stakeholders, further motivating companies to commit to science-based approaches.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of widespread adoption of science-based targets on global efforts to combat climate change.
  • The widespread adoption of science-based targets has profound implications for global climate action. As more companies commit to measurable and science-aligned emissions reductions, it creates a ripple effect across industries and regions, driving collective progress toward international climate goals. This collaborative approach not only accelerates the transition to a low-carbon economy but also fosters innovation and investment in sustainable technologies. Ultimately, achieving these targets can help stabilize global temperatures and reduce the severe impacts of climate change on ecosystems and communities worldwide.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A set of international standards for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions, which provides guidance for organizations to account for and report their emissions.

Paris Agreement:

An international treaty adopted in 2015 that aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to restrict the temperature increase to 1.5°C.

Net Zero Emissions: The balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere, achieving a net effect of zero emissions.