Is Education Critical to Meeting Corporate Climate targets?

As corporations face mounting pressure from regulators, investors and consumers to take decisive climate action, one question arises: is education critical to meeting corporate climate targets? The skills required to develop and implement credible decarbonisation strategies are specialised, creating a knowledge gap that could hinder progress.

To address this, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has launched the SBTi Academy, a new online learning platform.

This digital hub is positioned to become a key resource for training, upskilling and certifying professionals in the correct methods for setting science-based emissions reduction targets.

The platform’s objective is to clarify the target-setting process, ensuring that corporate climate goals align with the most current SBTi standards and industry best practices.

By doing so, the SBTi Academy aims to cultivate a global pool of skilled professionals capable of embedding scientific rigour into corporate sustainability strategies.

Addressing the corporate climate skills gap

The demand for transparent and ambitious climate strategies is growing. In response, many companies are seeking to create robust plans for decarbonisation.

The SBTi Academy was established to support this need by providing accessible training for professionals at various stages of their climate journey.

The curriculum is organised into three distinct hubs, each tailored to a user’s level of experience with climate targets.

This tiered approach allows individuals to build on their knowledge progressively or to formally certify their expertise.

“While the appetite for science-based targets is growing, access to skills is a common barrier to target-setting,” says Tracy Wyman, Chief Impact Officer of the Science-Based Targets initiative.

She adds: “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 decarbonise, the SBTi Academy aims to bridge the skills gap to set companies up for success.”

Structured learning for climate professionals

The educational journey starts at the Onboarding Hub, designed for those new to science-based targets.

This section offers a comprehensive introduction to what these targets entail, their importance in a credible climate strategy and the first steps a company needs to take to implement them.

All content in this foundational hub is available without charge, promoting wide accessibility.

The modules cover a 60-minute introduction to science-based targets and a 65 to 70-minute overview of core technical concepts.

It also guides the streamlined Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) route and the Forest Land and Agriculture (FLAG) framework.

For professionals already working in sustainability, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), or corporate reporting, the Practitioner’s Hub provides more specialised content.

This area focuses on the practical application of science-based targets in real-world business scenarios.

This hub is split into two types of modules:

• ‘Exploring’ modules: These are free to access and provide detail on the various standards, tools and guidance documents from the SBTi, including the GHG Protocol and the nuances of setting near-term and long-term net zero targets.
• ‘Applying’ modules: This paid-for training concentrates on the practical side of corporate target setting, equipping practitioners to handle challenges like Scope 3 data collection and target modelling.

Pathways to formal certification

The most advanced tier is the SBTi Certified Experts Hub. This section offers a formal certification for experienced practitioners and consultants who already have a deep understanding of the initiative.

By creating a clear pathway from foundational knowledge to expert certification, the academy provides a structured framework for continuous professional development in corporate climate strategy.

This educational infrastructure could show how critical specialised training is for turning corporate climate ambition into credible action.

By equipping professionals with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of emissions accounting and target setting, the SBTi is facilitating a more rigorous and standardised approach to decarbonisation across industries.

The platform's tiered structure ensures that whether a company is just beginning its sustainability journey or is well on its way, its teams have access to the knowledge required to contribute effectively to meeting global climate goals.