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SBTi target validation – submission support

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1 in 4 SBTi submissions from Poland in 2024 were prepared with our support

We guide you through SBTi submission and validation from start to finish

A report ready for customers, tenders, ESG, CSRD and supply chain questions

Full support after approval, when you monitor progress

Are your customers asking about SBTi targets? Talk to us.

Definition

What is SBTi?

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global initiative. It sets out how companies should set targets to cut their corporate carbon footprint in line with current climate science.

In practice, you need to calculate your emissions in Scopes 1, 2 and often 3, set a reduction target and submit it for validation.

For many companies, SBTi is more than part of their ESG strategy. It is the answer to what key customers and tenders require.

When

When does a company need SBTi targets?

Customers ask about reduction targets

You get ESG surveys and purchasing requirements on climate targets.

Target validation

A target approved by SBTi is the most credible way to show your climate targets.

Getting ready for ESG and CSRD

Investors, banks and regulators ask for data.

Routes

Which SBTi routes are there?

Your company size decides whether you use the simplified route or the full corporate route.

Simplified SME route

If your company meets the EU definition of an SME, you can submit targets under the simplified SME route. It costs less and takes less time than the full corporate route.

Full corporate route

Submitting targets under the sector guidance needs full data for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and can take up to 2 years.

Then we set near-term targets (the next 5–10 years) or net-zero targets (by 2050).

Near-term

Emission reduction targets for the next 5–10 years.

Net zero

Net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.

Input data

What data do we need?

Corporate carbon footprint

—Scopes 1 and 2 calculated
—For large companies, Scope 3 calculated too

Company details

—Documents that show the size and profile of your company, such as financial statements and your main lines of business

Emission reduction plan

—If you already plan actions that may cut emissions, they matter from the start
Case study

See our case studies

Services
Marketing agency, small and medium-sized company

A small marketing agency went from “we care about the planet” to hard data. It now has a strong ESG result and an argument that helps in tenders.

Read the case study →
Manufacturing
Plastic packaging manufacturer

How a plastic packaging manufacturer brought all climate topics together: the carbon footprint, a reduction strategy, climate risks and reporting to demanding customers.

Read the case study →
Why us

Why submit to SBTi with EXERGY?

Method and consistency

We have built our own proven ways to collect data and prepare the report.

Full set-up

Training, your own calculator and updates.

Strong track record

1 in 4 SBTi submissions from Poland in 2024 were prepared with the support of EXERGY specialists.

On time

In 2024, we finished 65 of 74 projects ahead of schedule.

Team

Meet the team

Experienced EXERGY specialists run every project with our own proven methods. We do not give consulting work to subcontractors. We have worked in this field since 2017.

Meet the team →
How we work

How do we work with you?

Our specialists support companies at every stage, for example with carbon footprint calculations and SBTi targets.

01

First call

You talk to our specialist. Together, we set the goal of the project and the basic assumptions.

02

Proposal

We send you a proposal within one working day. It sets out the details of the project.

03

Project and report review

Near the end of the project, we present a draft report. We use your feedback to prepare the final report.

04

Training and workshops

If your team wants, we prepare a course or workshops, so you can do this work on your own in the future.

What clients say about our SBTi projects
“

Working with EXERGY was smooth and very professional. The team helped us turn emissions into practical action and a realistic path to cut them that fits our company.

Agata Wierzbicka
Chief Operating Officer, intoDNA S.A.
Contact

Let's talk about your company's climate strategy

Are your customers asking for your carbon footprint?

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We use your details only to reply to your enquiry. More in our privacy policy.

See also

See also

Industry

Decarbonisation strategy

Setting and delivering emission reduction targets in line with SBTi.
Industry

Corporate carbon footprint – Scope 1, 2 and 3

The basis for submitting reduction targets to SBTi.
Reporting

CDP reporting

Climate disclosure in which CDP also scores your targets.

Download

8 mistakes in SBTi submissions

Free PDF with a checklist to use before you submit.
FAQ

What to know about SBTi before you start

Frequently asked questions.

1. How long does it take to prepare, submit and get an SBTi target approved?+
For small companies, it usually takes 3–4 weeks. For large companies, it usually takes from 6 months up to 2 years. The time depends on collecting and completing data and on calculating the carbon footprint.
2. Do you need a carbon footprint to submit to SBTi?+
Yes, it is the basis of an SBTi submission. You need a complete carbon footprint, calculated under the GHG Protocol.
3. Can a small or medium-sized company submit targets to SBTi?+
Yes. SBTi has a simplified SME route. It does not need a full Scope 3 analysis, but you still have to meet set criteria.
4. How much does an SBTi submission cost?+
SBTi charges a fee for target validation. It ranges from about USD 1,300 for SMEs to more than USD 10,000, depending on company size and scope. On top of this, you pay for preparing the data and the target itself.
5. Does SBTi charge a yearly fee?+
No. In theory, the SBTi fee is one-off. In practice, you need to update your targets every few years.
6. What if a company does not meet the SBTi requirements?+
If SBTi rejects the target, you need to correct it and submit it again. So it is key to prepare the target in line with the current criteria from the start.
7. Does SBTi mean you have to become climate neutral?+
It depends on the target you submit. Near-term targets, to around 2030, mean cutting emissions by several tens of percent. A net-zero target by 2050 means reaching net-zero emissions.
8. What if I do not reach my SBTi target?+
SBTi does not fine companies that miss their targets. But missing a target can hurt your credibility with customers, investors and business partners. In practice, you then need to update your reduction strategy, add new actions and report your progress openly.
9. What does SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) stand for?+
SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) is an international initiative set up by CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and WWF. It checks whether company emission reduction targets are in line with climate science: the path to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Approval by SBTi is today the most widely recognised proof that a climate strategy is credible. Corporate customers and banks both ask for it.
10. What is the difference between near-term and net-zero targets in SBTi?+
Near-term targets cover 5–10 years and are the required first step in SBTi. Net-zero targets are a long-term commitment, by 2050 at the latest. They need emissions to fall by about 90% and the remaining emissions to be neutralised. Most companies start with near-term targets, and supply chains most often ask for these.