Set Science-Based Targets
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:
- List the steps to set targets.
- Create an emissions reduction target record.
Ready, Set, Goal
Net Zero Cloud lets you manage and track all your short-term, long-term, internal, external targets from a single view. You must create a separate target record for each target. You can easily associate a target with its commitment, base inventory, and other related records within Net Zero Cloud.
At a high level, Sam Rajan must complete these tasks to set a target.
- Create an emissions reduction target record in Net Zero Cloud. Then, seek approval from internal stakeholders.
- Complete the SBTi target validation process. If you’re associated with another climate action program, then complete its process.
For his first target record, Sam chooses the target to reduce absolute scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Almost all the possible activities for which targets can be set are predefined in Net Zero Cloud and can’t be changed or deleted. Sam has decided to create a target for 15 years, with 2021 being the base year. Sam wants to use the Absolute Contraction method for setting targets for Northern Trail Outfitters (NTO).
Create a Target
Let’s follow Sam as he creates an emissions reduction target record in Net Zero Cloud.
- From the Lightning Console dropdown list on the Net Zero Cloud app, open Science-Based Targets.
- Click Set Targets.
- On the Create Emissions Reduction Targets page, click New and specify the following details:
- Name:
NTO’s Target for 1.5C Commitment - Category: Science-Based
- Emissions Activity: All Emissions
- Emissions Reduction Commitment: NTO’s Business Ambition for 1.5C Commitment
Sam selects the commitment he created for NTO in the previous unit. - Target Type: Emissions Reduction
- Target Setting Method: Absolute Contraction
- Annual Emissions Inventory: NTO’s Emissions Inventory
- Absolute Contraction Percentage: 4.2% Annual Linear Reduction
- Target Year:
2036 - Target Emissions Calculator: Salesforce Net Zero Cloud
- Name:
- Click Save.
On saving the record, target emissions are auto calculated. Sam scrolls down to the Target Output section to see the targets that are auto populated.
Sam evaluates the output fields.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
|
Target Year Emissions |
Total emissions in the target year. This value is system-generated because Sam had selected Absolute Contraction as the target setting method. If Sam had selected any other method, then he would need to develop the targets externally using available tools, such as the SBTi tool. He could still track those targets in Net Zero Cloud by capturing their details in a target record. |
|
Target Emissions Change Percentage |
Targeted percentage change in total emissions from base year to target year. Similar to Target Year Emissions, this value can be system calculated or entered manually. |
The Create Emissions Reduction Targets page has separate sections to capture method-specific target information. If Sam had selected Sectoral Decarbonization as the target-setting method, he would need to capture relevant details in the Intensity Methods section, and could skip the Absolute Contraction Percentage and Other Target sections.
Also, he can easily set other targets that aren’t absolute or intensity-based, such as renewable energy or supplier engagement targets. He can use the Other Target section of the page to capture their details.
Sam shifts his focus from the Details tab to the other tabs.
The Related tab provides the year-by-year emissions targets, from base year to target year. And the Visualization tab gives a visual view of the emissions trajectory.
Sam plans to use the emissions reduction trajectory graphs while presenting the final targets to his internal stakeholders.
Here are some best practices that Sam keeps in mind to make the most of target setting in Net Zero Cloud.
- For every commitment, create a target that covers all emissions (Activity type=All Emissions).
- For every commitment, create a net zero target (Target type=Net zero emissions).
Sam quickly creates the remaining targets for NTO and submits them for internal approval.
Complete the SBTi Target Validation Process
As soon as Sam gets a go-ahead from his internal approvers, he downloads and completes the latest Target Submission Form. Sam is pleased that he can reuse information from the carbon footprint, waste footprint, commitment, inventory, and target records he created in Net Zero Cloud to fill in the form. Finally, he submits the form via the SBTi’s Target Validation Booking System.
Upon approval, the SBTi publishes the approved targets on its website, as well as on the We Mean Business and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) partner websites. Sam also publishes the same information on NTO’s website. Also, Sam must report NTO’s company-wide GHG emissions and progress against the targets through annual reports to the SBTi and on his company’s website.
With targets in place, Sam has accomplished a lot! In the next unit, let’s see how Sam can use the power of forecasting to know how close or far NTO is from reaching the targets.