Enter and track progress against existing absolute emissions reduction targets and get guidance for near-term science-based targets (SBTs), and net-zero targets. Currently, the Targets feature supports the absolute contraction approach (ACA) from the Science-based Targets initiative (SBTi).  

Future versions will provide more methods, including the sectoral decarbonization approach (SDA), which accommodates sector intensity targets 

The feature also aligns with the ISO IWA 42:2022 Net Zero guidelines and the recommendations of the United Nations High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities. 

Next, turn on the categories that apply to your organization “Applicable” means that you have activities in that area—for example, if you own or control an air conditioning unit, fugitive emissions are applicable, even if you haven’t had any refrigerant releases.  

Estimated categories are categories for which Sustain.Life hasn’t yet developed calculators, so there’s no opportunity to track data and calculate activity emissions. However, Sustain.Life is able to screen emissions based on your sector and relative to your scope 1 and 2 emissions. You must have a complete scope 1 and 2 inventory to be able to screen your selected categories. This screening approach is consistent with the leading target-setting frameworks. 

After you save, you’re directed to the main dashboard, which displays your baseline measurement progress. You can return to your settings anytime. If you’ve not yet tracked any data in Sustain.Life, you’ll see the message below. To be eligible to set a target, navigate to Measure to start tracking your data and return to targets anytime to see your progress.

Once you’ve entered data for your applicable categories, you’ll see progress bars. These bars will not progress until you confirm that what you’ve entered represents a complete data set for your selected categories. Do not confirm until you’ve entered all your data for the year, or you’ll be setting targets against an incomplete emissions inventory. To confirm, select the category count link under each progress bar. A pop-up will open. Check the box that says, “Represents fully calculated emissions,” and save. Your progress bar will then increment forward based on the number of categories you have marked as complete.

Setting a new near-term target science based target (SBT)

Once your progress bars indicate that your baseline is complete, select the plus icon to add a target. 

To set a new target, select Target options. 

Under Near term targets, you’ll see several options: 

Click Continue. Your performance against your target is now available on your dashboard. The bar graph shows both historical emissions and future emissions to align with your target. You’ll also see an indicator to let you know whether your target is on track, at risk, or off track. The blue bars represent your target trajectory in the view below. If you select one of the two temperature scenarios or business-as-usual (BAU), the trendline reflects your selection. The 1.5°C and <2°C lines show what your emissions would need to be to align with these warming scenarios, while the BAU line shows your emissions if you did not act. The BAU line shows an upward trend since it accounts for moderate growth.

If you want to revisit your target details, select the Target Details tab in the upper right corner. 

Scope 1 and 2 target 

To set a customized scope 1 and 2 target, select the plus icon in the top left of the Targets dashboard to add a new target and select Add target next to Scope 1 and 2 target. 

In the details panel, your base year will already appear. Select your target year. By default, Sustain.Life will calculate the total reduction % to meet the definition of meaningful reduction according to SBTi. You can always adjust the total reduction percentage. Sustain.Life then calculates the annual reduction required to meet your total reduction over the term of your target. For example, a 10-year target with a 30% total reduction requires a 3% annual reduction. You may exclude emissions categories comprising no more than 5% of your total scope 1 and 2 emissions. Under Cumulative reduction, you’ll also see the absolute emissions you’ll reduce if you achieve your target.

The bar graph adjusts in real time-time, which allows you to explore various combinations of target year and reduction percentage. The dotted trendline indicates that your target is meaningful (i.e., science-based). If the dotted line falls below your target trendline, your target is arbitrary. You can turn the trendlines on or off by selecting the options to the right of the legend.

Below the bar graph, you can expand each framework to understand why you’re aligned or not aligned. Even if you’re aligned with only one framework, your target is science-based. 

The additional target will now appear alongside previously developed targets and you can switch between them by selecting the target name. 

Setting a new scope 3 target

To set a new scope 3 target, select the plus icon below the navigation menu and select Add target next to Scope 3 target. A scope 3 target is required for SBTs when your scope 3 emissions comprise 40% of your total scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. 

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Select the type of scope 3 target you would like to set. Note that you can add an additional target to cover both options. 

1. A reduction target commits you to a percentage of emissions reductions in your value chain. 

2. An engagement target commits you to get your suppliers or customers to set science-based targets of their own. 

To set a scope 3 engagement target, select the plus icon below the navigation menu to add a new target. Select Add target next to Scope 3 target and then select Add target next to Engagement target. 

Name your target and select your target year. All the scope 3 categories you’ve marked as applicable at the beginning of the target-setting process will appear here. Select the categories you want to include and indicate by how much you want to reduce the emissions in each category. Once you reach 67% of your total scope 3 emissions, your target is considered science-based. You can see a running total of your reductions at the bottom of the target details page. The more categories you include and the higher the reduction percentage in each category, the better your target. Of course, reducing emissions in some scope 3 categories is challenging (e.g., capital goods or downstream transportation), which is why SBT frameworks allow for more scope 3 exclusions. The target will now appear on your dashboard alongside other targets.

Setting a new net-zero target

Net-zero targets can only be developed by users who’ve set valid short-term SBTs. To add a net-zero target, select the plus icon below the navigation menu. Select Add target (if selectable) next to Net-zero. If the Add target button is grayed out, you must complete your short-term scope 1, 2 and 3 targets first. 

Now you’re ready to enter your net-zero target details—start by naming your target, then choose your target year. This can’t be any later than 2050, though climate scientists have recently indicated that this should happen by 2040. Select your scope 2 emissions accounting approach. Companies setting net-zero targets typically include renewable energy in their strategy, which is accounted for by the market-based emissions accounting approach. You may exclude up to 5% of your scope 1 and 2 emissions and up to 10% of scope 3 emissions. Sustain.Life will surface the total coverage percentages as you select your exclusions. 

Next, select a reduction percentage between 90 and 100. If below 100, you can optionally commit to reducing the remainder or a portion thereof with permanent carbon removals.

Review your alignment status for various frameworks in the bottom panel. 

Select Save target once you’ve finalized your target parameters. Your net-zero target will now appear on your dashboard alongside other targets. 

To enter an existing company target, select the plus icon below the navigation menu. Select Add target next to Existing target. 

Name your target and select the base year and target year. Indicate which emissions scopes are covered by this target and if it’s considered an SBT. Select whether this target applies to your company, to a location (e.g., region, country, facility) or to an activity (e.g., emissions from fuel consumption). Select which emissions accounting approach applies. Enter your annual reduction percentage and select any categories you’ve excluded from the emissions scopes you selected.

If you enter an existing SBT, you’ll also be required to select your scope 3 target type. Existing SBTs will have the same features in the dashboard graph as new targets (i.e., temperature scenario and BAU trendlines). This functionality is not available for existing targets that are not SBTs.  

You may also add notes with additional details. 

FAQs