#PositiveInsights

The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory is the starting point for initiating a process of decarbonizing business activities in accordance with the Paris Agreement, with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C (preferably to 1.5°C) compared to pre-industrial temperature levels.

Decarbonization is a process that involves reducing both direct and indirect emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This can be achieved, for example, by changing a company's energy supply and thus its energy mix, favoring energy from renewable sources.

Often, at the corporate level, this is done by developing an annual CO2 inventory to compare emissions year by year.

Reducing emissions year after year is becoming a more common goal in organizational strategies, but what are the correct targets and timelines necessary to combat global warming in line with the goals set by the Paris Agreement and the IPCC?

The reduction of GHG emissions must be consistent (tracked annually) and sustained within a defined time frame, with a vision for both the short and medium-to-long term.

In this regard, an increasingly recognized and applied global initiative is SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative), which has so far approved and certified the decarbonization goals of over 2,400 companies.

SBTi was established in 2015 through a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It is aimed at companies that want to set decarbonization goals aligned with the targets set by the Paris Agreement and the IPCC guidelines.

This initiative supports companies in defining to what extent and within what timeframe they must reduce their GHG emissions to align with the targets recommended by the IPCC, with the aim of avoiding the worst climate change scenarios.

Being globally recognized, SBTi provides companies with a quality tool for planning their carbon footprint reduction goals. This initiative is also an opportunity to ensure transparency in their decarbonization strategy and promote sustainable development.

But which emissions should be reduced? What targets are most suitable for a small-to-medium-sized company, and what should be the targets for a multinational corporation?

Positive Organizations assists companies throughout the business decarbonization process, from calculating the carbon footprint to planning a strategy to reduce their environmental impact, and finally through the entire process of joining SBTi.

References and resources:

https://sciencebasedtargets.org/

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