SustainCERT on Science Based Targets Initiative’s Scope 3 requirements

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently published a discussion paper setting out their perspective on the Science Based Target initiative’s (SBTi) revision of Scope 3 requirements, in which they aim to address the need to simplify target setting while providing companies more ways to invest in advancing towards their climate targets. The recommendations outlined in this WWF paper are well aligned with SustainCERT’s work since 2017. 

Having studied both SBTi’s Scope 3 revisions and WWF’s discussion paper, we would like to highlight the following points: 

• We recommend SBTi ensures consistency in their requirements, reducing the complexity of corporate Scope 3 action. Scope 3 action is already complicated, changes to the Net Zero framework should not increase the level of difficulty by – to the extent possible – contradicting existing frameworks. 

• With traceability often limited, Scope 3 data difficult to gather, and value chain interventions often being costly, additional flexibility and decarbonization tools for supply chains are vital. As stated by the WWF and matching our recommendations since 2017, high quality market-based mechanisms such as Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) are needed to unlock value chain investments and require specific safeguards to ensure verifiable and significant impact.

• Moving forward, and as companies can leverage instruments such as EACs and carbon credits, SBTi must include appropriate and reliable measures to ensure transparency in claims and reporting.  

• SBTi should consider the changes suggested by the WWF, including introducing additional metrics, changes to target setting methods, and a renewed focus on the highest impact.

• We join WWF in opposing the use of offsets (or offsetting) towards Scope 3 targets; although we acknowledge offsets should be used to take responsibility for residual emissions, especially when targets are not met. While the voluntary carbon market can unlock much needed finance for climate action, only systemic transformation can bring the scale and speed of change our planet needs.  

Our CEO Marion Verles commented “With our partners, we have been working tirelessly to scale value chain action by enabling co-investments and co-claiming; and it has been far from easy.  That's why – as we engage constructively to shape a robust level playing field – we continue to advocate for action now.” 

We believe that verified value chain action is a key priority for credible corporate climate action, and that carbon offsets should only be used to take accountability for residual emissions (not to meet company targets). There is no credible climate action without ambitious Scope 3 action, and we call on SBTi to consider our recommendations to ensure that our shared goals and ambitions can be met.