- By Tori Madine
- In Useful Stuff
SBTi launches ‘groundbreaking’ net zero framework for the built environment
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has launched a new framework for financial firms and companies operating in the built environment across the globe, outlining a path to 1.5C-aligned emissions reductions.
Headquartered in the UK, the SBTi is an international corporate climate action organisation that develops standards, tools and guidance to enable companies to set, and progress, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions targets.
The SBTi says its new initiative is ‘groundbreaking’ because it addresses the built environment specifically, in recognition of the sector’s significant impact on the environment. The buildings sector is responsible for over a quarter of the globe’s energy-related emissions and is also impacted by the climate crisis. For example, through extreme weather events.
The new Buildings Sector Science-Based Target-Setting Criteria takes a ‘whole building approach’ – covering all energy consumption and emissions – to help businesses take action to minimise the impacts of climate change. It is aimed at all those involved in the design, financing, development, construction, management and occupation of buildings.
The SBTi’s four key actions
The new 34-page framework offers companies four key actions to decarbonise the sector:
- Stop fossil fuel installations: Public commitment to halting the installation of fossil fuel-based heating, cooking, power generation and hot water equipment from 2030 at the latest.
- Reduce in-use emissions: These are emissions associated with a building’s energy use. The SBTi collaborated with the Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor initiative (CRREM) to develop regional pathways for in-use emissions so that targets reflect variations in local power grids and how buildings are used.
- Retrofit inefficient buildings: 80% of current buildings are expected to remain standing until 2050. Retrofitting buildings to implement energy efficiency improvements needs to more than double by 2030 to align with the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero by 2050 Scenario.
- Reduce upfront embodied emissions: Global floor area is expected to grow ~15% by 2030, nearly 80% of which will be in developing economies. The criteria requires companies to set a target to reduce embodied emissions, i.e. those from raw materials, manufacturing, transportation and construction.
How the SBTi built its new framework
The new framework was developed in consultation with an independent Expert Advisory Group made of companies, financial institutions, non-profit and multilateral organisations from across the world.
The process included a two-month public consultation in 2023 and a four-month pilot test through 2024. Feedback from the pilot showed it helped companies to support transparent best-practice climate reporting, understand the reduction requirements and direction of industry GHG reporting and enhanced internal cross-collaboration on the actions needed to reduce GHG.
Tori Madine, Account Director (Built Environment) at Content Coms, comments: “This new framework provides every element of the built environment value chain with a valuable overview of the tools needed to build towards net-zero. Its publication is clear acknowledgement by the SBTi of the vital role the sector plays in progressing towards net zero, and the need for immediate global action.”
Content Coms is a strategic content and communications agency in the energy, built environment, and technology sectors. Our B Corp Certified team helps clients to drive sustainable specification, supporting ESG goals and accelerating decarbonisation. Find out more about how our built environment team can help grow your business.
