SBTi Clarifies that “No Change Has Been Made” to Use of Carbon Credits in Net Zero Plans Following Backlash
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Board of Trustees clarified that “no changes have been made to SBTi current standards,” following a sharp internal backlash to its recent announcement of plans to update its standard for corporate net zero target setting by extending the use of environmental attribute certificates (EACs), such as emissions reduction credits, to help address Scope 3 emissions.
The clarification follows reports of letters from SBTi staff responding to the board’s announcement, indicating that staff were “deeply concerned” about the statement, and reportedly calling for the resignation of the CEO and board members.
The SBTi was founded in 2015 with the goal to establish science-based environmental target setting as a standard corporate practice. The organizations’ key functions include defining and promoting best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science, providing technical assistance to companies who set science-based targets, and providing companies with independent assessment and validation of their emissions reduction targets.
