Science Based Targets
Science Based Targets (SBTs) are a framework for organizations to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets aligned with climate science, specifically to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, as per the Paris Agreement. It provides a standardized, data-driven approach for companies to define and track their decarbonization efforts, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to global climate goals. The initiative is managed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute, and WWF.
Developers should learn about Science Based Targets when working on sustainability-focused software, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting tools, or corporate climate action platforms, as it enables them to integrate climate science into applications that track and manage emissions data. This is crucial for roles in green tech, carbon accounting, or enterprise software where compliance with climate regulations and stakeholder demands for transparency are key. Understanding SBTs helps in building features like target-setting wizards, progress dashboards, and automated reporting aligned with scientific benchmarks.