Quick summary
Science-based targets are emission reduction goals aligned with climate science. To set science-based targets, you commit publicly, calculate your baseline emissions, set targets in line with a 1.5°C pathway, get them validated, and report progress yearly.
What is a science-based target?
A science-based target is a goal for cutting greenhouse gas emissions that aligns with what climate science indicates is needed to limit global warming. Instead of picking a number that sounds good, you base your target on real data and recognised methods.
Science-based targets align with the level of decarbonisation required to meet the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming well below 2°C, and ideally below 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
The Science-Based Targets initiative, often called SBTi, sets the standards most companies use. SBTi checks and approves targets to ensure they meet strict scientific criteria rather than vague promises.
A target counts as “science-based” when it covers:
- Your direct emissions (Scope 1)
- The emissions from the energy you buy (Scope 2)
- Emissions across your value chain (Scope 3)
Together, these scopes give a full picture of your climate impact.
Setting a science-based target means you commit to a clear, measurable reduction, usually over five to ten years, with a long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.
This guide explains what science-based targets are and walks you through setting them for your own organisation, step by step.
At Emission Twin, we work with sustainability managers, CFOs, and leadership teams across the Nordic region and the EU who are setting and managing science-based targets. SBTi target setting is the challenge our clients face most often, and it’s the one we’ve built our platform around.
Why listen to us?
We focus on helping organisations build better workplaces through data, science, and action. We’ve also researched how leading companies set and report sustainability goals, so you get a clear, practical guide you can trust.
Why set science-based targets
Setting science-based targets brings benefits beyond simply helping the planet. It also strengthens your business in several practical ways.
- Builds trust. Customers, investors, and employees increasingly expect companies to show real climate action, not just statements. A validated target proves you’re serious.
- Reduces risk. Energy costs, regulations, and carbon pricing are changing fast. Companies that plan ahead avoid being caught off guard by new rules or rising costs.
- Drives innovation. Setting a clear target pushes teams to find smarter ways to use energy, design products, and manage supply chains, often saving money along the way.
Beyond the reasons above, setting science-based targets also supports your talent strategy. Many employees, especially younger ones, want to work for organisations that take sustainability seriously. Clear targets help you attract and keep good people.
How to set science-based targets: a step-by-step guide
Setting science-based targets takes planning, but you can break it down into manageable steps. Here’s how to set science-based targets for your organisation, from start to finish.
Step 1: Make a commitment
Start by signing a commitment letter with the Science Based Targets initiative. This tells SBTi and the world that you intend to set a validated target within 24 months.
This step doesn’t require you to know your final numbers yet. It simply starts the clock and signals leadership buy-in, which you’ll need for the steps ahead.
Before you commit, get support from senior leaders. Setting science-based targets affects operations, finance, and procurement, so everyone needs to understand what’s coming.
Step 2: Measure your baseline emissions
You can’t set a meaningful target without knowing where you stand. This step involves calculating your current greenhouse gas emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and, where relevant, 3.
Scope 1 covers emissions from sources you own or control, like company vehicles or on-site fuel use. Scope 2 covers emissions from purchased electricity, heating, or cooling.
Scope 3 covers everything else in your value chain. It includes supplier emissions, business travel, employee commuting, and customer use of your products. For many companies, Scope 3 makes up the largest share of total emissions.
Choose a baseline year, usually a recent year with reliable data, and gather emissions data using recognised methods like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This baseline becomes the reference point for your target. You can use carbon accounting software to streamline this process.
Step 3: Set your targets
With your baseline in hand, you can now set targets that align with a 1.5°C pathway. SBTi provides sector-specific tools and guidance to help you calculate the right reduction rate for your industry.
Most near-term targets cover a 5 to 10-year period and require significant cuts, often around 4.2% per year for Scope 1 and 2 emissions. However, exact figures depend on your sector and chosen pathway.
If Scope 3 accounts for a large share of your emissions, the SBTi usually requires you to set a target for it as well. This might involve working closely with suppliers to reduce their emissions.
Many organisations also set a long-term net-zero target, alongside their near-term goals, showing how they’ll reach net-zero by 2050 at the latest.
Step 4: Submit your targets for validation
Once you’ve drafted your targets, submit them to SBTi for review. Their technical team checks that your targets meet the required criteria and align with climate science.
This process can take a few months, and you may need to revise your targets based on feedback. Be prepared for some back-and-forth before you get final approval.
Validation matters because it gives your targets credibility. Anyone can claim a climate goal, but a validated target shows it’s been checked against rigorous, independent standards.
Step 5: Announce and communicate your targets
After validation, share your targets publicly. Update your website, sustainability reports, and investor communications so stakeholders know what you’ve committed to.
Clear communication also helps internally. Employees who understand the targets and why they matter are more likely to support the changes needed to reach them.
Consider creating a simple internal summary explaining what the targets mean for different teams, whether that’s procurement, facilities, HR, or product development.
Step 6: Track, report, and act
Setting a target is just the start. SBTi requires you to report your progress every year, showing how your emissions are tracking against your targets.
Build internal systems to collect emissions data regularly, not just once a year. This makes annual reporting easier and helps you spot problems early.
Most importantly, turn your targets into action plans. Break long-term goals into yearly milestones, assign owners for each area, and review progress regularly with leadership. ESG software like Emission Twin makes this easier. It helps you collect data, create reports, and build action plans.
Common challenges when setting science-based targets
Many organisations face similar hurdles when setting science-based targets. Knowing these in advance helps you plan better.
Data collection is often the biggest challenge, especially for Scope 3 emissions. Getting accurate data from suppliers can take time, so start these conversations early.
Cross-team coordination matters too. Climate targets touch finance, operations, HR, and procurement. Without clear ownership, progress can stall, so assign a dedicated sustainability lead or team.
Finally, balancing ambition with feasibility takes care. Targets need to be challenging enough to be science-based, yet realistic for your organisation to achieve.
How to set science-based targets the easy way: Emission Twin is the best tool
Learning how to set science-based targets gives your organisation a clear, credible path toward reducing its climate impact. The process takes effort, but it pays off in trust, resilience, and long-term cost savings.
Plus, with the right tools, it gets much easier. Emission Twin, a climate platform built in Sweden, brings your emissions data, modelling, and reporting together in one place.
Instead of juggling spreadsheets, Emission Twin’s digital twin technology models your emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3. You see exactly where your footprint comes from and how different actions change the outcome.
Emission Twin helps you centralise information from across your value chain, while the Reduction Roadmap module helps you plan, simulate, and track reduction strategies aligned with SBTi criteria.
Onboarding is fast, often just a few hours, with ready-to-go templates and personal support throughout. This means your team spends less time chasing data and more time acting on it.
For organisations setting science-based targets for the first time, Emission Twin removes much of the guesswork. It turns a complex, multi-step process into one connected, manageable workflow.
Book a demo and see how it works.
How to set science-based targets: Your FAQs answered
What is the difference between a science-based target and a net-zero target?
A science-based target sets a specific, near-term emissions reduction goal, usually over 5 to 10 years. A net-zero target is a longer-term goal, typically for 2050, that includes both deep emissions cuts and the removal of remaining emissions.
How long does it take to set science-based targets?
Most organisations take 12 to 24 months from commitment to validation. This includes gathering emissions data, selecting a pathway, drafting targets, and completing the SBTi review process.
Do small businesses need to set science-based targets?
Smaller businesses can use a simplified SBTi process designed for their size. While not always required by law, setting targets helps smaller companies prepare for supply chain requirements from larger partners.