Search

New SBTi CEO urges companies to step up action on net zero

We are an online community created around a smart and easy to access information hub which is focused on providing proven global and local insights about sustainability

10 Apr, 2025

This post was originally published on Green Biz

Source: Green Biz

Key takeaways:

  • SBTi’s new CEO stresses the need for flexibility in target-setting methodologies.
  • Corporations shouldn’t wait for the new Corporate Net Zero Standard methodology to set emissions reduction goals.
  • Climate transition plans will become a critical component of the target-setting process.

The Science Based Targets initiative’s new CEO, former EY sustainability consultant David Kennedy, said the nonprofit must evolve to recognize “pragmatic” approaches for corporate emissions reductions as it finalizes extensive revisions to the Corporate Net Zero Standard.

Kennedy officially joined SBTi in early April, after being named as the new CEO in early January. He boasts three decades of experience in developing net-zero strategies within government and the private sector, especially those related to food systems.

While Kennedy is in “listening and learning” mode during his initial days as CEO, he offered initial impressions and hints about his priorities during an April 9 webinar convened to field questions about the proposed new standard published March 18. SBTi is accepting feedback on the revisions until June 1, as part of public consultations and an online survey. 

“We have to be science based, but we can be more pragmatic and more action focused,” Kennedy said. “We need to be a listening organization; we need to be building relationships.”

New political and economic reality

The Corporate Net Zero Standard revision comes at a fragile moment. While most corporations remain “committed and determined” to reduce emissions, the mood has shifted because of the U.S. political situation and some will find it “very difficult” to meet their original reduction targets set for 2030, Kennedy said. 

SBTi must find ways to reward action even when companies fall short of the goal, he said, noting: “It’s more clear as we move to implementation just what the challenges are.” 

Kennedy highlighted several proposed evolutions in the methodology that he said should benefit corporate practitioners, including:

  • A defined process to assess progress and gaps at the end of a target cycle
  • The decision to let corporations set separate targets for Scope 1 (their own operations) and Scope 2 (purchased electricity and energy)
  • A proposal to require corporations to submit a climate-transition action plan after having targets validated

Companies should not wait for the new standard, which won’t be finalized until late 2026. SBTi will offer a transition path and there “will be mechanisms to align with the next cycle,” Kennedy said. “Get on with acting and driving down your carbon footprint.” 

[Connect with more than 3,500 professionals decarbonizing and future-proofing their organizations and supply chains through climate technologies at VERGE, Oct. 28-30, San Jose.]

The post New SBTi CEO urges companies to step up action on net zero appeared first on Trellis.

Pass over the stars to rate this post. Your opinion is always welcome.
[Total: 0 Average: 0]

You may also like…

2025 Climate Disaster Costs Could Reach $145 Billion Globally: Analysis

2025 Climate Disaster Costs Could Reach $145 Billion Globally: Analysis

According to a new analysis by Swiss Re Institute, insured natural catastrophe losses globally could reach $145 billion this year, primarily driven by “secondary perils” such as floods, wildfires and severe thunderstorms. This follows a five to seven percent long-term annual growth trend, the institute said. The report, Natural catastrophes: insured losses on trend to […]
The post 2025 Climate Disaster Costs Could Reach $145 Billion Globally: Analysis appeared first on EcoWatch.

Farms Fare Better With Less Intensive Soil Management, Study Finds

Farms Fare Better With Less Intensive Soil Management, Study Finds

The less intensely farmers fuss with soil, the better off that soil could be, according to a new study on soil management practices across the Netherlands. In the study, published in the journal Science, a team led by researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) analyzed soil management practices and biota at 53 farm […]
The post Farms Fare Better With Less Intensive Soil Management, Study Finds appeared first on EcoWatch.

0 Comments