SBTi (Science-based Targets Initiative): key points to remember

Scope 1 and 2 cover 10 à 20% of total GHG emissions. Scope 3 emissions are often the most complex to manage, but also have the greatest impact: they can account for up to 90% of a company's total emissions.

Distribution of companies and financial institutions having validated their trajectories by region (2023)

This rise is taking place against a backdrop of global climate urgency, with companies playing a key role in the low-carbon economy.

👌Set ambitious, measurable goals

The implementation of an SBTi trajectory is not simply declarative: it is based on a rigorous methodology for assessing emissions and projecting them over the medium and long term.

The objectives must be :

• Based on a clearly defined reference year.
• In line with IPCC climate scenarios.
• Auditable by third parties.

In France, this dynamic is particularly strong: 88% of CAC 40 companies are committed to this approach. This reflects a growing awareness of the need for strategic alignment with the planet's limits.

✅ Examples of sector commitments

The climate commitments validated by SBTi reveal highly contrasting dynamics across the various industries. In 2023, services and manufacturing industries accounted for the largest number of companies aligned with scientific climate trajectories, with 741 and 568 companies respectively. These two categories alone account for 58% of the organizations that have set validated targets, illustrating their driving role in the low-carbon approach.

Some sectors also posted spectacular growth. Thehealthcare, biotech and pharmaceutical industries, for example, recorded the strongest proportional growth. The number of companies involved rose from 23 to 74 in one year, an increase of +222%.

Conversely, traditionally highly exposed sectors such as materials are showing signs of slowing down. After a significant increase of +160% between 2021 and 2022, this sector has slipped back to 11th place in terms of growth, with only a +41% increase between 2022 and 2023 (from 109 to 154 companies).

Breakdown by business sector of companies having set targets

Beyond the global figures, several economic sectors are translating their commitment to the climate into concrete actions, validated by the SBTi initiative. These companies demonstrate that, whatever their field of activity, it is possible to define a credible, measurable and ambitious carbon trajectory.

Inspiring sector commitments:

💻 Econocom - Digital services

Econocom is committed to an ambitious low-carbon strategy, validated by SBTi:

• 61.4%reduction in absolute Scopes 1 & 2 emissions by 2028, compared with 2018.
• Renewable electricity: share up from 5% to 92% over the same period.
• Committed value chain: 100% of product and service suppliers to have adopted SBTi objectives by 2028.

source : Econom.com

🏗️ Bouygues Construction - Building & civil engineering

A forerunner in the construction and public works sector, Bouygues Construction's climate strategy is part of a global transformation process.

Objectives validated by SBTi :

• Scopes 1 & 2: - 40% of direct emissions by 2030 (base 2021).
• Scope 3 - Construction: 30% of indirect emissions over the entire building life cycle.
• Scope 3 - Public works: 20% of upstream emissions.

source : Bouygues-contruction.com

💊 Pharmaceutical industry - Collective commitment via Leem

As part of its environmental roadmap, Leem (Les Entreprises du Médicament) has committed the entire French pharmaceutical industry to the SBTi initiative. Two key areas of focus:

• Reduction of scopes 1 & 2 emissions: 50% by 2030 (base 2021), including production and consumption.
• Scope 3 emissions reduction: 25% on indirect emissions.
• A strategy integrated into the 3R roadmap (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), aligned with the objectives of ending single-use plastics by 2040.

source : leem.com

These examples demonstrate that the SBTi initiative is adaptable to all sectors, and that each area can identify its own levers for action. Aligning corporate strategies with low-carbon objectives is no longer an option, but a key factor in sustainability, resilience and competitiveness.

💚Strategic and systemic benefits

Adopting a low-carbon strategy in line with Science Based Targets is not just an ethical or environmental imperative. It is also a strategic approach that creates value for both the company and its ecosystem. The benefits can be seen on several levels: reputation, compliance, economic performance and innovation.

✅Strengthen its reputation with customers, investors and talent.

⚖️Anticiper and manage regulatory risks in a context of tightening climate legislation (CSRD, green taxonomy, etc.).

💡Optimize costs through greater energy efficiency.

🔄 Accelerate innovation by rethinking business models towards greater circularity and sobriety.

Committing to the SBTi trajectory means more than simply meeting a climate requirement: it means choosing a more sober, resilient and forward-looking business model. Against a backdrop of increasing regulation, high societal expectations and new economic pressures, companies that align their strategy with science are ahead of the game. They transform constraints into levers for competitiveness, innovation and attractiveness.

Decarbonization is now a strategic imperative.

And every organization has a role to play.

With the right tools and committed partners like GCI, you can set your company on an ambitious, credible and sustainable course.

The time to act is now.