The SBTi has published the world’s first register of science-based target setting experts, who have completed a certification process through the SBTi Academy.
The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has published the world’s first register of science-based target setting experts. To gain certification, the SBTi Certified Experts have progressed through a rigorous seven-part assessment process to demonstrate their advanced proficiency in areas like greenhouse gas inventory assessment and modelling targets.
The certification confirms a level of skill that could help businesses navigate the nuances and technicalities of science-based target setting more efficiently. More expertise in navigating the interplay of climate science and business operations is urgently required to meet the sustainability skills demands of the future.
The certification process was completed through the SBTi’s new e-learning platform, the SBTi Academy, which also launches today. In addition to certification assessment, the platform offers nine hours of online training to help support the development of sustainability professionals with different skill levels, ultimately empowering sustainability professionals to guide organizations and clients in their decarbonization journeys.
As managing climate-related and transition risk becomes a cornerstone of business strategy across the world, companies need effective plans and strategies to inform their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But they also need professionals that are familiar with and experts in both the essentials and minutiae of science-based target-setting.
The SBTi has developed the platform to recognize that even in the largest organizations, complete technical capacity to set science-based targets is rarely readily available. Global demand for green talent is outpacing supply twofold, with increases of 11.6% and 5.6% respectively. Meanwhile, surveys have found that 76% of businesses say that the early state of skills is the biggest upskilling challenge – with 68% of sustainability leaders saying they are “homegrown”, and hired from within their companies with more than half (60%) saying that were not initially hired for their sustainability expertise.
The SBTi Academy is divided into three distinct hubs to cater to the variety of needs and existing skill levels of individual sustainability professionals:
- Onboarding Hub: free training for beginners which outlines the essentials for newcomers to science-based target setting. Learners will familiarize themselves with foundational technical knowledge and be introduced to realistic next steps. Modules include “Introducing Science-Based Targets” and “Understanding Technical Concepts”.
- Practitioners’ Hub: more advanced premium training, building on the Onboarding modules, which provides a wide variety of technical education including recommended pathways based on the learner’s current role and expertise level. Modules include explorations and the application of the GHG Protocol, Corporate Near-Term Targets, and Corporate Net-Zero Targets.
- Certification Hub: a centre of assessment for specialists, and provides certification to signal a comprehensive understanding of SBTi standards and requirements. Certified experts will be listed on the SBTi website.
While the target validation process is designed to be economical for companies, rallying the correct data and turning it into targets can be resource intensive for all kinds of businesses. The SBTi Academy’s modules and assessments are designed to help companies to calculate and set targets more efficiently and effectively and this launch reflects the significant evolution of the SBTi’s capabilities and role in the corporate sustainability ecosystem.
Science-based targets serve as a credible roadmap—a north star guiding businesses from ambition to action. Grounded in science, embedded science-based targets can drive operational change, inform investment decisions, and deliver measurable emissions reductions. Equipping individuals and companies with the tools and knowledge to set those targets effectively will aid in rallying the change needed across organizations to drive mass decarbonization of the corporate sector globally.
Tracy Wyman, Chief Impact Officer of the Science-Based Targets initiative, said:
“While the appetite for science-based targets is growing, access to skills is a common barrier to target-setting. By providing foundational knowledge for those just setting out on their own sustainability journey and providing certification for sustainability experts already helping companies on their journeys to decarbonize, the SBTi Academy aims to bridge the skills gap to set companies up for success.”