Greenhouse Sustainability has recently been able to offer support in implementing SBTi. SBTi stands for Science-Based Targets initiative, a global standard that helps companies base their CO2 reduction targets on scientific insights. More and more large companies and organizations are choosing this internationally recognized framework to validate their sustainability goals.

SBTi is a global initiative that helps companies set and validate their carbon reduction targets to align with scientific climate goals. A collaboration of organizations such as CDP, the UN Global Compact and WWF, it provides a framework for companies to set and achieve concrete, credible and science-based climate ambitions.

Rigorously assessed
At SBTi, the focus is on emission reduction. It deals exclusively with greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1, 2 and 3). In addition, targets are tested against the most recent climate models and data. Companies can participate voluntarily, but their plans and progress are rigorously assessed. Concrete emission reductions must be achieved within a certain time frame.

LCA specialist Cas Steenbergen attended SBTi's course last year on behalf of Greenhouse Sustainability. In doing so, he was one of the first Dutch participants. There are currently some 78 officially certified SBTi experts worldwide. By obtaining the certificate, Steenbergen is one of them. “From Greenhouse Sustainability we can now help companies that want to implement SBTi to achieve their sustainability goals.”

At the corporate level
According to Steenbergen, SBTi is in fact a scientific methodology developed for large corporate organizations to reduce their footprint in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. “Until now, I mainly did a lot of product calculations, mapping the impact of one stem, one pot plant, one sleeve or one cubic meter of substrate. At SBTi, it's all about CO2 for the entire company. Every detail is taken into account. Linked to this is a climate transition plan that translates the validated targets into concrete reduction measures throughout the value chain (Scope 1, 2 and 3). So with SBTi you are really working at the company level to reduce environmental impact.”

So through certification, Greenhouse Sustainability is now able to help large corporate companies do just that. “For nurseries this is not yet directly applicable, but larger organizations are increasingly being asked to commit to SBTi,” said Steenbergen. “We were assisting companies with this before as well, but based on the expertise we have gained, we can now help as a certified party with the SBTi validation and the commitment required for this. So we are really making a step up professionally.”

In addition to providing guidance through the validation process, Greenhouse Sustainability can also be a company's ongoing SBTi contact. “After the validation is completed, companies can then continue to spar with us to make sure they stay on track with their goals. Or, for example, we can organize knowledge sessions with employees to make sure they also understand what choices are being made within the organization and how they can contribute to a lower footprint,” Steenbergen said. “Companies that are interested can purchase a support package for that.”