What is the SBTi methodology?
Science Based Targets (SBTi) are clearly defined decarbonisation pathways, aligned with climate science, that have been reviewed and validated by SBTi Services. They cover two complementary time horizons: near-term targets, which set the emission reductions to achieve over the next 5 to 10 years, and net-zero targets, which combine immediate action and long-term ambition to reach net zero by 2050 at the latest.
Why commit to SBTi?
A validated SBTi target is not just another label. It is a public, verifiable and quantified commitment, aligned with IPCC recommendations to limit warming to 1.5°C. In practice, it gives you:
- Credibility: your targets are validated by an independent third party using a globally recognised scientific methodology
- A measurable competitive advantage with your customers, large clients and investors, who factor climate criteria into their purchasing and financing decisions
- Alignment with demanding frameworks: CDP, EcoVadis, CSRD
- A credible decarbonisation roadmap to engage your teams, guide your investments and manage your transition over time
- A place in a global movement: the number of companies aligned with SBTi grew by 40% in 2025, and large clients increasingly require their suppliers to take part.
Your decarbonisation targets, aligned with science
Launching the SBTi project and upskilling your teams
We start by raising your teams' awareness of climate issues and the SBTi process: why commit? What does it involve in practice? What are the expected benefits for your company? Together, we scope the work (timeline, contributors, available resources) and prepare your SBTi commitment letter, the first official step in the process.
Carbon baseline review
We audit your existing Bilan Carbone: we check the boundary, activity data, emission factors used and results for scopes 1, 2 and 3. We share our recommendations to strengthen the robustness and admissibility of your GHG inventory before submission. A poorly documented submission is the main cause of rejection or lengthy back-and-forth with SBTi reviewers.
Setting your decarbonisation targets
Together, we set your reduction targets for each scope, in line with IPCC recommendations, SBTi criteria and the specific issues of your sector. We update your carbon roadmap so that each target is backed by identified, realistic levers for action.
SBTi validation
We prepare and submit your entire SBTi application. We provide technical follow-up until your pathway is validated: answering reviewers' questions, making methodological adjustments where needed, and communicating with your internal stakeholders. You don't have to handle exchanges with SBTi Services on your own.Our Strengths
Official Bilan Carbone® V9 certification
A strong SBTi submission depends first and foremost on the quality of the GHG inventory. Our consultants are certified in the Bilan Carbone® V9 method, which ensures an inventory that meets the requirements of the GHG Protocol, the reference standard for SBTi validation.
Operational action plan included
We don't stop at targets. We help you translate them into concrete actions, area by area (purchasing, energy, transport, etc.), so that you deliver on your commitment on time.
An approach linked to your other CSR commitments
Your SBTi pathway fits naturally with your Carbon Footprint Assessment and your VSME/CSRD reporting. One pathway, several frameworks covered.They already trust us
We support each year 100 companies boosting their CSR strategy.
A big thank you to the Act For Now teams for their support throughout this process, which helped us earn the EcoVadis Gold Medal! Estelle and Charlotte combined expertise, clear teaching and close support, making a sometimes complex exercise much more accessible. Not to mention a clear, effective platform that makes day-to-day management of the process much easier. Thank you to the whole team for this high-quality support.
A very attentive team that adapts to the company's needs, knowledge and objectives. Thank you for helping us progress and for helping bring the management team on board. Thanks to you, our initial objectives have been exceeded.
Fully satisfied with the approach, follow-up and tailored advice, which helped us make great progress in structuring our CSR program. It helps us communicate better, but above all it made us step back to prioritise our actions and build a timeline. A very professional approach from the consultant.
We have worked with Act for Now for the third year in a row and are fully satisfied. The proposed support is very well structured, with clear organisation and intuitive tools that make the process much easier. The team that supported us throughout the project was particularly attentive and available.
Delighted to have been supported by Act For Now: a professional, available and attentive team throughout the project. The support was high-quality and challenging, in a positive way. Thanks to their help, we earned the Platinum medal on our very first assessment! A result beyond our expectations and a source of great pride for our employees. Many thanks for this effective and enjoyable collaboration.
Your expertise, commitment and responsiveness played a decisive role in the success of this engagement. Thanks to your rigorous support and sound advice, we were able to structure and showcase our CSR actions as effectively as possible, which allowed us to achieve this level of recognition.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a near-term SBTi target and a net-zero target?
The two are complementary. Near-term targets set the emission reductions to achieve over the next 5 to 10 years. Net-zero targets combine immediate action and long-term ambition to reach net zero by 2050 at the latest.
Do we need to have completed a carbon footprint assessment before committing to SBTi?
Yes, it is an essential prerequisite. Without a robust, well-documented GHG inventory, no application can be submitted. If you don't have a carbon footprint assessment yet, or yours is more than 2 years old, we support you beforehand through our Carbon footprint assessment offer.
How long does the SBTi alignment process take?
From the initial audit to validation, allow 2 to 4 months on average, depending on the complexity of your GHG inventory and your sector. The audit and consolidation phase is often the longest, as it determines the quality of the final submission.
What is the minimum ambition required by SBTi?
Scope 1 and 2 targets must be consistent with the level of decarbonisation required to limit global warming to 1.5°C. This typically means reducing scope 1 and 2 emissions by at least 42% by 2030 compared with your base year. The exact level depends on your sector.
Do SBTi targets need to be renewed?
Yes. Companies must review their targets at least every five years from the date of initial validation. We plan ahead for these deadlines with you to keep your status active on the SBTi Target Dashboard and avoid any "Commitment Removed" status.
Is SBTi compatible with EcoVadis and the CSRD?
Yes. A validated SBTi pathway directly meets the requirements of ESRS E1 (climate change) under the CSRD, and improves your EcoVadis score on the Environment theme.
Our team
From our offices in France, we work alongside international clients remotely. Video workshops and shared working tools allow us to understand your operations and challenges in depth, and to design a robust and pragmatic CSR approach tailored to your context. We help you embed CSR in your strategy, decarbonize your operations and upskill your employees.
Ready to get results and boost your CSR Strategy ?
Schedule a meeting with one of our CSR experts to build your initial diagnosis.