Join the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) with the Belgian Alliance for Climate Action (BACA)

The Shift and WWF have decided to bundle forces and form a national initiative that invites the private sector (both for- and not-for-profit) and academic institutions to take the lead on climate action. The Alliance is counting on members that have already set science-based targets to reach out to their business partners and incentivize them to make the sustainability pivot. BACA will host discussion panels, workshops and webinars to show organisations how to build a business case for the adoption of science-based targets, define climate targets and develop a roadmap for implementation. Along the way, the Alliance will share knowledge around the journey an organisation takes to reduce its environmental footprint, such as the adoption of a new business model, the transformation of its culture and ecosystem, and the implementation of new technologies across its operations.

Sign the pledge

When you sign the Alliance’s pledge, you officially commit to acting on climate change through science-based targets. But this is just the start of your journey. Once you’ve signed the pledge, BACA expects you to commit to the global SBT Initiative within the next twelve months. Then you have two full years to work on developing your own science-based emission reduction target and getting it validated.

SIGN: https://www.belgianallianceforclimateaction.org/sign-the-pledge

 

What are science-based targets (SBT)?

Science-based targets provide companies with a clearly defined path to sustainable growth by determining to what extent and how fast they should reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, 195 governments worldwide agreed to prevent dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. This signaled an accelerated transition to a low carbon economy. Many companies already prove that they have the necessary skills, expertise and ingenuity to make this happen, but they need ambitious targets to reduce emissions and ensure that the innovative action they are taking is fully aligned with the current climate science and needs.

Greenhouse gas reduction targets, as pursued by businesses, are considered “science-based” if they are in line with what the latest climate science requires to meet the Paris Agreement targets - in other words, to limit global warming to much less than 2 ° C above pre-industrial values, and continue efforts to limit warming to 1.5 ° C.

 

How do I join the science bases targets initiative (SBTi)?

The first step is to sign the SBT commitment letter. This means that your company will commit to formulating a scientifically substantiated emissions reduction target. Two different commitments are possible:

• The standard commitment: the company commits itself to follow a trajectory of at least “far below 2° C”.
• The company ambition to make a 1.5° C commitment: the company commits itself to pursue a scientifically substantiated emission-reducing target that allows to limit global warming to 1.5° C, or a “net-zero” commitment objective.

The second step is to set and validate an objective within a maximum of 2 years after entering into the commitment. A correct calculation of the CO2 emissions is required in advance. Here are some key factors that should be taken into consideration:

• Scope 1 & 2 (direct emissions): achieve the objectives of Scope 1 and Scope 2 for the entire company.
• Scope 3 (indirect emissions): a screening of the Scope 3 emissions must be completed for all relevant Scope 3 categories. If the Scope 3 emissions are higher than 40% of the total CO2 emissions, the Scope 3 objective must cover at least two thirds of the Scope 3 emissions.

The company then has the choice between two types of objectives:

• An absolute target, using the absolute contraction method, requiring an absolute reduction of 2.5% on an annual basis under the “much less than 2 ° C” scenario, or 4.2% reduction under of the 1.5 ° C range.
• A relative target, expressed as a percentage reduction per output (m², tons of products ...) can be calculated if it does not lead to an absolute increase in greenhouse gas emissions, or if it is aligned according to a sector approved trajectory within the Sectorial Decarbonization Approach (sectoral approach to decarbonisation). This approach is currently being developed for 6 sectors: energy, iron and steel, cement, aluminum, pulp and paper, services construction.

If you are an SME (company with less than 500 employees) you can follow a simplified path for SMEs, where you only have to formulate a target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 and you commit to calculate and reduce your Scope 3 emissions .

 

The third step is the communication of your objective. After the validation of your objectives by the SBTi, they are published on the SBT website and disseminated through other communication channels (SBT reports, social networks, ...) You are allowed to use the SBT logo on all communication media and thus be recognized become a leader in the fight against climate change.

 

How can CO2logic guide you through this process?

CO2logic can assist you with the following tasks:

• Because it is of paramount importance to get started on a good basis, CO2logic will check or calculate your CO2 footprint (all relevant emissions) for the base year, and this according to the best recognized carbon calculation methods.
• CO2logic helps you with the choice of important SBT characteristics: choice of the reference year, target year, target limit (relevant Scope 3 categories), setting up a monitoring system.
• The definition of an ambition level in line with the trajectory “much less than 2 ° C” or “1.5 ° C”.
• Filling in the form for setting objectives and following up with the SBTi for final validation.
   

If you still have doubts and need help to understand what the determination of the SBT means for your company, CO2logic can first and foremost conduct a feasibility study so that you understand what steps to take, including an estimate of the internal workload and the necessary consultancy.

 

CO2logic has already assisted many companies during this process, such as bpost, UCB, Barco, Proximus, Cofinimmo, Mc Cain and many others.

If you would like more information about this, please contact Juste de Meeûs via info@co2logic.com

 

CO2logic is proud to guide bpost in defining its new long-term goals to reduce CO2 emissions, in line with science and the climate goals of the Paris Agreement.

These ambitious targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative at the end of 2018. In this way, bpost became one of the first Belgian companies with an ambitious commitment that means that by 2030 it will reduce its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 20% compared to the reference year 2017. Bpost also commits to the absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions generated by reducing the outsourced transport and distribution activities by 20% by 2030 compared to the reference year 2017.

To achieve these ambitious targets, bpost has drawn up an ambitious plan in collaboration with CO2logic and other partners, which is described below:

 

Trucks

30% less emissions from our trucks thanks to advanced technologies, in Belgium and abroad, including the use of more efficient delivery routes.

 

Vans

50% of our own fleet and 40% of our partners' fleet will be electric vans. Lessons in eco-driving for our drivers will be given and vans are cleaner and more conventional.

 

Buildings

10% adapted lighting of the buildings for the bpost branches

50% of our Belgian employees drive electric cars.

100% green electricity

 

Air travel

10% reduction in air transport emissions by making operations more efficient and by working with partners who invest in the greening of their air freight activities.