There are different ways of setting emission-reduction targets. The only credible targets are those with pathways that are aligned with climate science.
Climate scientists have estimated the level of reduction (in percentage terms) required for businesses, industries, public sector, etc. to limit global temperature increases. The level of reduction is aligned with 2 potential future global scenarios:
- 1.5°C aligned
Global temperature increases by 1.5°C (above pre-industrial levels) by 2050.
- Well below 2°C (WB-2˚°C) aligned
Global temperature increases by between 1.5°C and 2°C (above pre-industrial levels) by 2050.
It should be noted that since July 2021, reputable organisations that verify emission-reduction targets and pathways, such as the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), no longer accept WB-2˚°C targets. This stance is supported by the latest IPCC report on Climate Change Impacts.
