Science Based Targets initiative
The Science Based Targets Initiative is an independent UK charity that sets the global standard and validates science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for corporations and financial institutions, with 11,000+ validated companies representing $38 trillion of market capitalization.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Science Based Targets initiative does
Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is an independent registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1205768) founded in 2015 by CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, and WWF. The organization develops and maintains the methodologies, standards, and validation frameworks that enable companies and financial institutions to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets aligned with limiting warming to 1.5°C. Its product portfolio centers on three pillars: the Corporate Net-Zero Standard (currently Version 1.3.1 with Version 2.0 released June 2026), the Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard (launched 2025), and a suite of sector-specific standards covering Apparel, Air Transport, Automotive, Buildings, Chemicals, Cement, FLAG, Maritime, Oil and Gas, Power, and Steel. SBTi operates a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary, SBTi Services Limited, which monetizes target validation services, while the parent charity is funded primarily by foundation grants — notably $37M from the Bezos Earth Fund, IKEA Foundation, and Laudes Foundation in 2021.
The platform is anchored by 11,156+ companies with validated targets, 13,574+ with commitments, and 2,607 validated net-zero targets, representing roughly $38 trillion of global market capitalization. Supporting infrastructure includes the public Target Dashboard, the SBTi Academy, supplementary guidance (Beyond Value Chain Mitigation, Supplier Engagement), and an in-development Power Sector Net-Zero Standard. The 2026–2030 corporate strategy signals a deliberate shift from ambition-setting to implementation and enforcement.
SBTi monetizes through a hybrid model: free public standards and guidance drive adoption at scale, while SBTi Services Limited generates fee-based revenue from validation workflows. The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees with Francesco Starace as Chair, led by CEO David Kennedy (former founding Chief Executive of the UK Committee on Climate Change), and supported by a Technical Council established as the permanent independent decision-making body on standard development. Go-to-market relies heavily on partner network amplification (CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI, WWF, We Mean Business Coalition, Mission Possible Partnership) rather than traditional direct sales, with major awareness moments including London Climate Action Week 2026 and the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 launch.
Science Based Targets initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Science Based Targets initiative
- Legal name
- Science Based Targets Initiative
- Website
- https://sciencebasedtargets.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Science Based Targets Initiative is an independent UK charity that sets the global standard and validates science-based greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for corporations and financial institutions, with 11,000+ validated companies representing $38 trillion of market capitalization.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Science Based Targets initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Climate Standards and Target Validation
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Net-Zero Target Setting & SBTi/Net-Zero Standard Support (EUABAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Net-Zero Assurance & Readiness Assessments (limited assurance prep, audit support) (EUABAKAJ), Regulatory & Disclosure Strategy (CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS S2, SEC, TCFD) (EUABAKAH), Scope 1–3 GHG Inventory Strategy, Data Governance & Controls (advisory) (EUABAKAD), Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms (EUABAEAF)
Keywords
Where Science Based Targets initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Science Based Targets initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Validation Services: SBTi Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, provides commercial validation services for businesses submitting targets for validation. Revenue generated from target validation fees.
- Foundation Grants: SBTi receives grant funding from major foundations including Bezos Earth Fund, IKEA Foundation, and Laudes Foundation ($37M USD secured in 2021) to support operations and scale-up
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Charitable organization offering standards and guidance at no cost |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Science Based Targets initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) develops science-based target-setting standards and methodologies that enable companies and financial institutions to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary SBTi Services Limited, the organization provides commercial validation of submitted corporate targets against its Corporate Net-Zero Standard, Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard, and sector-specific criteria (apparel, aviation, automotive, buildings, chemicals, cement, FLAG, maritime, oil and gas, power, steel).
Product overview
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a corporate climate action organization that develops standards, tools, and guidance enabling companies and financial institutions to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science. The organization operates a platform of interconnected products centered on its core standards framework: the Corporate Net-Zero Standard (covering corporates), the Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard (covering banks, asset managers, and investors), and sector-specific standards for industries including Apparel, Automotive, Buildings, Chemicals, Cement, FLAG, Maritime, Oil & Gas, Power, and Steel. Supporting services include Target Validation Services through SBTi Services (a wholly owned subsidiary), the SBTi Academy for training, a Target Dashboard for tracking company commitments, and supplementary guidance on topics like Beyond Value Chain Mitigation and Supplier Engagement. The portfolio functions as a unified ecosystem where the standards provide the framework, validation services verify compliance, and guidance/academy products support implementation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SBTi Services: The wholly-owned validation services subsidiary of SBTi that handles target validation services for companies.
Products and services
- Corporate Net-Zero Standard Flagship framework providing criteria for companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets validated by SBTi, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions with both near-term and long-term requirements for net-zero by 2050.
- Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard Standard enabling banks, asset owners and managers, private equity firms, and other financial institutions to set science-based targets aligned with 1.5°C pathway and net-zero by 2050, with requirements for deforestation assessment and fossil fuel transition policies.
- Sector-Specific Standards and Guidance Tailored criteria and guidance for specific industries including Apparel and Footwear, Air Transport, Automotive and Land Transport, Buildings, Chemicals, Cement, Forest Land and Agriculture (FLAG), Maritime, Oil and Gas, Power, and Steel sectors.
- Target Validation Services Validation service through SBTi Services subsidiary enabling companies to submit and receive official validation of their science-based emissions reduction targets against SBTi standards.
- SBTi Academy Training and educational resources to help companies and individuals understand and implement science-based target setting methodologies.
- Target Dashboard Public dashboard showing companies with validated science-based targets, tracking growth and momentum in corporate climate action globally.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% of companies with validated targets reported positive overall business impact
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Science Based Targets initiative
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Science Based Targets initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Science Based Targets initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, supporting and founding.
- CAFA (Climate Action for Associations)strategicPartnership to accelerate climate action across trade associations, expanding association engagement and corporate climate action through technical expertise and industry network.
- Smart Freight Centre (SFC)supportingTechnical collaboration to further develop the platform for accelerating transport sector decarbonization.
- Mott MacDonaldsupportingTechnical partnership to progress the Oil and Gas Sector Project, developing science-based target-setting methodologies for O&G companies.
- Mission Possible Partnership (MPP)strategicJoint forces to scale corporate climate action in high-emitting sectors in line with 1.5°C pathway.
- CDPfoundingCo-founding partner of SBTi. CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) provides environmental disclosure platform and data that integrates with SBTi target-setting framework.
- UN Global CompactfoundingCo-founding partner of SBTi. UN Global Compact promotes corporate sustainability and connects SBTi with thousands of signatory companies.
- World Resources Institute (WRI)foundingCo-founding partner of SBTi. WRI provides technical expertise and research supporting science-based target methodologies.
- WWFfoundingCo-founding partner of SBTi. WWF provides conservation expertise and supports corporate engagement on science-based climate action.
- We Mean Business CoalitionsupportingPartner organization that amplifies SBTi reach through its network of companies committed to climate action.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Science Based Targets initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): CDP is the co-founding partner of SBTi and the world's leading environmental disclosure platform. Both organizations operate the corporate climate transparency ecosystem — CDP collects disclosure data, SBTi validates reduction targets — and share overlapping enterprise customer bases.
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol: GHG Protocol is the foundational global standard for corporate GHG accounting (Scope 1, 2, 3), on which SBTi's target-setting methodology directly builds. Both organizations develop technical climate methodologies used by thousands of corporates and feed into regulatory frameworks.
Emerging players
- South Pole: South Pole is a leading climate solutions provider offering carbon offsetting, advisory, and target-setting services to corporates. It competes with SBTi's network of validation partners and overlaps in helping companies implement science-based decarbonization strategies.
- Anthesis Group: Anthesis is a sustainability consultancy that helps corporates set and implement science-based targets, including SBTi-aligned targets. It sits in SBTi's broader partner ecosystem as a delivery arm for validated companies.
- GFANZ (Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero): GFANZ coordinates financial institution net-zero commitments and increasingly relies on SBTi's Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard for credibility. It is an adjacent network that both feeds SBTi adoption and competes for institutional mindshare.
- EcoAct (A Deloitte Business): EcoAct is a climate consultancy (now part of Deloitte) that supports SBTi target setting, GHG accounting, and net-zero strategy. It is one of many implementation partners that deliver SBTi-aligned services to enterprise customers.
- Climate Action Tracker (CAT): CAT is an independent scientific assessment that tracks government and corporate climate commitments against Paris Agreement alignment. It overlaps with SBTi's role as an independent evaluator of corporate climate action and competes for analytical authority.
Broad incumbents
- Carbon Trust: Carbon Trust is a global climate consultancy offering certification, advisory, and verification services to corporates and governments. It overlaps with SBTi's validation services and works with many of the same enterprises on science-based decarbonization roadmaps.
- Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): GRI is the world's most widely used sustainability reporting standard. It complements SBTi (which sets targets) by providing the broader disclosure framework (which reports progress), making it a complementary incumbent in the corporate sustainability stack.
- ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board): ISSB (under IFRS Foundation) develops IFRS S1/S2 mandatory sustainability disclosure standards adopted by regulators globally. It is a broad incumbent in climate disclosure that increasingly intersects with SBTi's voluntary framework and has absorbed the legacy TCFD.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Science Based Targets initiative social profiles
Digital presenceScience Based Targets initiative compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Science Based Targets initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Science Based Targets initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Science Based Targets initiative subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Science Based Targets initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Science Based Targets initiative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Science Based Targets initiative
What does Science Based Targets initiative do?
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) develops science-based target-setting standards and methodologies that enable companies and financial institutions to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary SBTi Services Limited, the organization provides commercial validation of submitted corporate targets against its Corporate Net-Zero Standard, Financial Institutions Net-Zero Standard, and sector-specific criteria (apparel, aviation, automotive, buildings, chemicals, cement, FLAG, maritime, oil and gas, power, steel).
Is Science Based Targets initiative a public or private company?
Science Based Targets initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Science Based Targets initiative founded?
Science Based Targets initiative was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Science Based Targets initiative based?
Science Based Targets initiative is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Science Based Targets initiative make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Validation Services are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants.
Who are Science Based Targets initiative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) and Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Emerging players are South Pole, Anthesis Group, GFANZ (Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero), EcoAct (A Deloitte Business) and Climate Action Tracker (CAT). Broad incumbents are Carbon Trust, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board).
Does Science Based Targets initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Science Based Targets initiative.
What industry is Science Based Targets initiative in?
Science Based Targets initiative's product category is Climate Standards and Target Validation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABAKAA, Net-Zero Target Setting & SBTi/Net-Zero Standard Support, with a secondary code of EUABAKAJ, Net-Zero Assurance & Readiness Assessments (limited assurance prep, audit support). Its NAICS code is 541620 and its SIC code is 8731.