SBTi Compliance Software | Scope 3 Data Collection & Target Review Automation | Certivo - Certivo

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Compliance

Climate & Carbon Reporting

Science Based Targets initiative — Corporate Net-Zero Standard & Near-Term Criteria

10,000 Companies Now Have Validated SBTi Targets. Your Customers Are Next—And They'll Expect Scope 3 Data From You.

SBTi compliance requires emissions data across Scopes 1, 2, and 3—with supplier engagement targets covering at least 67% of value chain emissions. The Net-Zero Standard V2 publishes in 2026. Five-year target reviews are now mandatory.

Certivo automates supplier emissions evidence collection from carbon data request to audit-ready SBTi documentation.

Regulation Overview

What is SBTi?

The Science Based Targets initiative is the world's primary framework for corporate net-zero target setting aligned with climate science. While technically voluntary, SBTi targets have become a de facto compliance requirement—driven by customer procurement mandates, investor expectations, CSRD disclosure alignment, and supply chain flowdown from the 10,000+ companies with validated targets.

For supply chain teams, the core obligation is collecting and validating Scope 3 emissions data from suppliers. SBTi requires companies to set Scope 3 targets—either supplier engagement targets or absolute reduction targets—covering at least 67% of total Scope 3 emissions when those emissions exceed 40% of total company emissions. Supply chain emissions average 11.4 times higher than direct emissions.

SBTi compliance requires supplier-level carbon data—emissions factors, energy consumption, reduction commitments, and progress tracking—from every material supplier. When the Net-Zero Standard V2 takes effect, your entire supplier engagement strategy requires reassessment.

Key Components / Sub-Frameworks

Obligation

Key Compliance Requirements

Who Must Comply

Key Thresholds

Core Obligations

  1. Near-Term Target Setting

    • Set 5–10 year targets for Scope 1, 2, and 3 aligned with SBTi criteria
    • DEADLINE: Within 24 months of commitment

  2. Net-Zero Target Setting

    • Set long-term targets achieving net-zero across all scopes by 2050 or sooner
    • DEADLINE: Required for Net-Zero Standard validation

  3. Scope 3 Supplier Engagement

    • Engage suppliers covering ≥67% of Scope 3 to set their own SBTi targets or reduce emissions
    • DEADLINE: Ongoing; recommended target year 2030 or earlier

  4. Five-Year Target Review

    • Reassess validated targets against latest SBTi criteria
    • DEADLINE: Within 12 months of five-year trigger date

  5. Annual Progress Reporting

    • Track and disclose emissions against validated targets via CDP or equivalent
    • DEADLINE: Annual

SBTi-Specific Pain Points

The Scope 3 Data Desert

Your SBTi target requires supplier engagement covering 67% of Scope 3 emissions. You have 400 suppliers. Fifty provide emissions data. Two hundred don't track emissions at all. The rest send inconsistent data in different units, different scopes, and different reporting years. You can't validate your own target without validated supplier data you don't have.

The Five-Year Review Trigger

Your targets were validated in 2021. The five-year mandatory review triggers in 2026. You need to reassess against the latest SBTi criteria, demonstrate progress, and resubmit updated targets if required—all within 12 months. But your baseline supplier data is three years old, and your supply chain has shifted significantly.

The Customer Flowdown Cascade

A Tier 1 OEM with validated SBTi targets sends you a Scope 3 supplier engagement questionnaire. They need your Scope 1 and 2 emissions, your reduction targets, and evidence of progress. You have 30 days. You have no centralized emissions data, no reduction plan on record, and no system to generate the response. Your customer marks you as non-responsive.

The Multi-Framework Reporting Overlap

Your CSRD disclosure requires science-based target reporting. Your CDP questionnaire requires SBTi target details. Your investor ESG survey asks for SBTi validation status. Three frameworks, three formats, one set of underlying data—scattered across spreadsheets and consultancy reports. Every reporting cycle starts from scratch.

Certivo in Action — SBTi Workflow

GET EVIDENCE IN

Collect Supplier Emissions Data and Reduction Commitments—Without the Chasing

CORA launches targeted campaigns to collect supplier carbon data, SBTi commitment status, emissions factors, and reduction evidence. Automated follow-up in suppliers' native languages.

MAKE SENSE OF IT

Know Instantly Which Suppliers Meet SBTi Engagement Thresholds—and Where Gaps Exist

CORA parses supplier emissions data, validates against SBTi criteria, calculates Scope 3 coverage, and flags gaps in your supplier engagement target coverage automatically.

PROVE COMPLIANCE OUT

Respond to Customer SBTi Requests and Generate Target Review Documentation in Hours

Generate audit-ready SBTi documentation, supplier engagement evidence, and customer response packages instantly from validated supplier data.

Key Statistics

Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies need to comply with SBTi requirements?

SBTi is technically voluntary—but increasingly non-optional. Any company with a validated SBTi commitment must submit targets within 24 months. Suppliers of SBTi-committed companies face Scope 3 data requests. Companies reporting under CSRD must disclose whether they have science-based targets. With 10,000+ companies validated, SBTi compliance is a supply chain access requirement.

What happens if a company fails its SBTi five-year target review?

Companies have 12 months from their five-year trigger date to complete the review. If targets no longer meet current SBTi criteria, revised targets must be resubmitted for validation. Failure to complete the review can result in target status changes on the SBTi Target Dashboard—visible to customers, investors, and ESG raters. Certivo tracks review trigger dates and generates the documentation needed for resubmission.

How does Certivo collect Scope 3 supplier emissions data?

Certivo launches automated supplier engagement campaigns requesting emissions data, reduction targets, SBTi commitment status, and energy mix information. CORA accepts any format—CDP responses, GHG Protocol spreadsheets, PDFs, or freeform answers—and extracts Scope 1, 2, and 3 data automatically. Coverage is calculated against SBTi's 67% Scope 3 threshold in real time.

Does Certivo support both SBTi V1.3 and the upcoming V2.0?

Yes. Certivo validates supplier evidence against current V1.3 criteria and is preparing for V2.0 requirements as the standard is finalized in 2026. When V2.0 becomes mandatory for new targets from January 2028, Certivo will automatically update validation logic and alert affected companies. Targets validated under V1.3 will receive transition guidance mapping.

How does SBTi relate to CSRD, CDP, and other carbon reporting frameworks?

SBTi provides the target-setting framework; CSRD requires disclosure of science-based targets; CDP is SBTi's primary reporting channel. Companies must maintain consistent emissions data across all three. Certivo collects one set of supplier carbon evidence and generates outputs formatted for SBTi target reviews, CDP questionnaires, and CSRD climate disclosures simultaneously—ensuring data consistency and eliminating duplicate collection cycles.