Tool

Setting a Science-Based Target

Aug 18, 2020

Science-based targets provide companies with a clearly defined pathway to future-proof growth by specifying how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Paris agreement in 2015 saw 195 of the world’s governments commit to preventing dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees celsius. This signaled an acceleration in the transition to a low carbon economy. Many companies are already demonstrating they have the skills, expertise, and ingenuity to make this a reality – but need ambitious emissions reduction targets that ensure the transformational action they take is aligned with current climate science.

Targets adopted by companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are considered “science-based” if they are in line with what the latest climate science says is necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – to limit global warming to well-below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

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Pledge

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