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Science Based Target initiatives Capacity Building (SBTi)

Empowering Climate Goals with Science-Based Precision

SBTi Capacity Building For Climate Stewardship

A SBTi validation is desirable for companies wanting to position themselves as responsible social actors and inspire confidence amongst key stakeholders, employees and consumers. It is also required to arrest climate change and limit it to 1.5°C as outlined in the Paris agreement. This is where DQS India helps

Sector-specific guidance

Gap assessment

Process validation & reporting support

What is the SBTi Framework?

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global standard-setting body that helps organizations set greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. At its core, the SBTi enables companies to define how much and how quickly they must decarbonize in line with climate science, particularly the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Established by CDP, UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and WWF, the SBTi provides both the methodologies and validation mechanisms for companies to credibly commit to near-term and long-term climate targets.

The framework requires companies to measure their emissions across:

Scope 1 (direct operations),
Scope 2 (purchased electricity), and
Scope 3 (value chain emissions, if material).

Science-based targets must be ambitious, covering at least 95% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions and 67% of Scope 3 when applicable. The methodology options include:

Absolute Contraction Approach
Sectoral Decarbonization Approach (SDA),and
Intensity-based metrics, depending on industry context.

In 2021, the SBTi introduced its Net-Zero Standard, which requires companies to reduce emissions by 90–95% by 2050, allowing only minimal neutralization via carbon removals.

Why SBTi Capacity Building services is necessary in India?

SBTi Capacity Building services are necessary in lieu of the rising complexity of climate stewardship and the role companies are expected to play in meeting the 1.5°C commitment under Paris agreement. SBTi does not accept carbon offsets towards target achievements. This is to maintain transparency and scientific integrity in emission reduction efforts.

All reduction must come from actual decarbonization as outlined in Scope 1, 3. For validation of the same to proceed smoothly, companies must:

Conduct a robust GHG inventory (typically using GHG Protocol)
Align data collection and modeling with the SBTi's target-setting tools
Disclose their assumptions and boundaries clearly
Commit to public reporting and annual progress tracking

Capacity Building service by DQS India ensures companies don’t just declare intentions but make verifiable, time-bound commitments that are scientific and as per current standards.

How does SBTi Capacity Building work in India?

In the initial stage, DQS handholds the concerned company with its carbon footprint calculations, gap assessment and GHG inventory development. Based on the results, DQS helps plan the climate targets based on 1.5°C and finalizes the methodology to be used for the same.

After successfully registering on the SBTi portal, companies will receive a commitment letter from SBTi. This document contains the commitments made by the organization towards climate stewardship and is applicable for 24 months.

At this stage, companies come forward with climate target development. DQS India assists with filling up the SBTi questionnaire i.e the target submission form, ensuring targets align with guidelines on 1.5°C. Methodology to be used is clearly mentioned, from one of the following: Absolute contraction approach, Sectoral decarbonization pathway, and Physical intensity targets.

At this stage, DQS India handholds clients in submitting the questionnaire, i.e. the Corporate Target Submission form filled up in the previous stage in the SBTi portal.

Entirely under the ambit of SBTi, at this stage SBTi reviews the target submission and provides actionable feedback. In some cases, there’s a gap analysis report that follows the initial review.

Final stage of the SBTi capacity building process. At this point, the company in question, with the aid of DQS India, has been shortlisted for the communicated time period for near-zero targets. Can be published on the website and communicated to stakeholders, though the final decision to do the same rests with the company and not DQS.

What is the cost of SBTi Capacity Building in India?

The cost of SBTi capacity building is largely determined by the size of the company and the scope of work. For SMEs, the costs are lower compared to a large concern on account of lower number of stages involved and the permissibility of direct target submissions.

Costs may rise on account of target updates and complex, multi-entity reviews. It’s important to note that the cost incurred is a fraction of the total sustainability investment and is increasingly seen as a strategic spend for regulatory readiness, investor alignment, and supply chain positioning. To get a custom quote, please get in touch.

Why choose DQS for SBTi Capacity Building in India?

DQS India offers comprehensive support to organizations preparing for SBTi validation by combining climate science expertise with deep knowledge of international standards and sector-specific requirements. Additionally, DQS India brings:

35+ years of helping organizations with ESG compliances
Auditors with extensive technical knowledge and domain experience
Transparent, data-driven audit methodology
Value added insights for your company
Internationally accepted reports and certificates.

Our SBTi capacity building services ensures companies large and small are able to correctly identify their GHG inventory, draw up a comprehensive plan of action and have it vetted by SBTi sans impromptu fact finding missions and missteps.