Science-Based Targets Explained
What science-based targets are, why they matter, and how to set one that stands up to scrutiny.
Plenty of companies have pledged to reach net zero. Far fewer have set targets that match what climate science actually requires. That gap is exactly what science-based targets are designed to close.
What makes a target science-based
A science-based target aligns your emissions reductions with the pace the science says is needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Rather than picking a number that feels comfortable, you work backwards from a global carbon budget to the reductions your business must deliver.
Near-term and long-term
A credible pathway has two parts:
- Near-term targets covering the next 5 to 10 years, where most of the hard work happens.
- A long-term net-zero target, typically by 2050 or sooner, with deep absolute reductions before any neutralisation of residual emissions.
Both matter. Near-term targets keep you accountable now; the long-term target sets the destination.
Getting started
Setting a science-based target follows a clear sequence: measure a complete baseline across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, model the reduction pathways available to your sector, commit to a target, and then report progress transparently each year.
The benefit is credibility. A target grounded in science is far harder to dismiss as greenwashing, and it gives your teams, investors and customers a shared, defensible goal.
Ready to set a target you can defend? Explore our net-zero roadmap service or start a conversation.
