The Science Based Targets initiative published the world’s first register of certified science-based target-setting experts on Tuesday, aiming to expand global capacity for climate skills as demand for emissions reduction strategies grows.
The register includes professionals who completed a seven-part certification process through the new SBTi Academy.
Candidates were assessed on areas such as evaluating greenhouse gas inventories, modeling emissions targets and applying technical standards.
The certification signals advanced proficiency and equips experts to guide companies through the complex requirements of setting climate targets.
With businesses under pressure to decarbonize, the need for skilled professionals who understand both climate science and business operations is rising sharply.
Launch of the SBTi Academy
The certification process is part of the SBTi Academy, a newly launched e-learning platform. In addition to assessment, the academy offers nine hours of online training.
Its programs are designed to support professionals at different levels of expertise and prepare them to advise companies on their decarbonization strategies.
The academy is divided into three hubs. The Onboarding Hub provides free introductory training, familiarizing beginners with key concepts such as “Introducing Science-Based Targets” and “Understanding Technical Concepts.”
The Practitioners’ Hub delivers premium training for advanced learners, covering topics such as the GHG Protocol, corporate near-term targets and net-zero strategies. The Certification Hub serves as the assessment center, where specialists gain recognition as certified experts.
Addressing Global Skills Gap
The SBTi said its academy responds to a widening shortage of green talent. Demand is outpacing supply twofold, with growth rates of 11.6 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively.
Surveys indicate that 76 percent of businesses cite limited skills as their top challenge for upskilling.
Meanwhile, 68 percent of sustainability leaders are “homegrown,” having been promoted from within, and 60 percent were not initially hired for their expertise in sustainability.
“While the appetite for science-based targets is growing, access to skills is a common barrier to target-setting,” said Tracy Wyman, chief impact officer of the SBTi. “By providing foundational knowledge for those just setting out on their own sustainability journey and providing certification for sustainability experts already helping companies on their journeys to decarbonize, the SBTi Academy aims to bridge the skills gap to set companies up for success.”
Driving Corporate Decarbonization
The SBTi stated that science-based targets serve as a “north star,” transforming ambition into action by guiding investment decisions, driving operational change and delivering measurable emissions reductions. By equipping professionals with the tools to set credible targets, the academy aims to accelerate mass decarbonization across the corporate sector.
The launch, according to the SBTi, marks a significant evolution of its role within the global sustainability ecosystem.
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