What are Carbon Emission Targets?

Carbon emission targets are specific goals set by organizations, governments, or other entities to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas emissions over a designated timeframe compared to a baseline year. These targets, which can culminate in net-zero emissions, are crucial for tracking progress and mitigating climate change. Achieving them requires organizations to create a comprehensive carbon reduction plan, accurately calculate their carbon emission baselines, and invest in strategies like renewable energy and carbon offsetting.

At current levels, carbon emissions will lead to devastating levels of climate change, and as a result governments and businesses are pledging to reduce their emissions in a race against time. When it comes to managing and reducing carbon emissions, it is nearly impossible without targets to track progress and keep a company on course. Here, we explain carbon target setting and how to implement it. 

What are Carbon Emission Targets?

Carbon targets are specific goals or objectives set by individuals, organizations, cities, countries, or international agreements to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon targets are usually expressed as a reduction in emissions over a certain period of time, and are often compared to a baseline year. Carbon targets set at a few different levels, including: 

• National targets -  Countries often set specific targets for reducing carbon emissions by a certain percentage or absolute amount by a particular year.
• Organizational targets - Through environmental management plans or corporate social responsibility initiatives, businesses and organizations may set their own carbon reduction targets.
• Regional targets - Cities and regions may also set carbon reduction targets to address localized challenges and promote sustainable urban development.
• Sector-specific targets -  Some industries or sectors (such as energy, transportation, and agriculture) might establish specific targets to reduce their carbon footprint and transition towards cleaner practices.

A more ambitious carbon target is the idea of achieving "net-zero emissions," wherein the goal is to balance the emissions produced by an entity with the removal of an equivalent amount of emissions from the atmosphere. For example, an organization might invest in energy efficiency strategies such as renewable energy, carbon offset projects or carbon capture.

What are the 2030 Carbon Emission Reduction Targets?

Currently, under the European Commission, there are a number of targets that EU member states are tasked with contributing to before 2030. Those targets include: 

• At least 55% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels)
• At least 32% share for renewable energy
• At least 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency

The carbon landscape is continually evolving, and as with changing carbon standards, the 2030 target may also be changing too. For example, the original reduction target set for greenhouse gas emissions was 40%, but the need for rapid action meant that the EU Commission increased this to 55% as of 2021.

What are the Benefits of Delivering Carbon Reduction Targets?

Implementing carbon targets within an organization can bring numerous benefits, both for the company itself and for the broader environment and society. Some of the key benefits of setting carbon targets within an organization include:

It is an essential step for businesses to become more environmentally responsible and sustainable in the face of growing climate challenges, as not doing so can also have a direct impact on an organization’s bottom line. 

What is the Best Practice for Setting Carbon Emission Targets?

The leading framework for setting a corporate carbon reduction target is the Science Based Targets Initiative  - also known as SBT. The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaborative effort between several organizations, including CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 

An SBT will define a target year and percentage reduction target to hit by that year - not so dissimilar to the method set by the EU Commission. The Science-Based Targets Initiative encourages organizations to set longer term net-zero targets, and provides a framework and guidelines to help them do that. They set targets that are scientifically aligned with limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

The SBTi will verify and approve corporate targets for a fee, however businesses are still encouraged and able to set targets in line with their guidelines. The verification adds additional credibility and accountability so is best practice for organizations looking to drastically reduce their carbon output. 

How Do You Create a Carbon Reduction Plan and Implement Targets?

Setting and implementing a carbon target involves a structured and comprehensive approach to reduce an organization's greenhouse gas emissions. It has to be a considered approach, as the targets should be ambitious yet achievable, and all stakeholders necessary to hit the target should be brought on the journey too to enable effective implementation. Every organization is different, but the steps towards setting and implementing a carbon target are roughly the same:

Step 1: Assessment - How to calculate carbon emission reduction baselines

A target cannot be set without a good understanding of where your business’ carbon footprint is today - so a robust carbon footprint calculation is essential before setting any targets. The company needs to assess its current greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain (Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions) and establish a baseline year.

Step 2: Target setting

 Using the initiative's methodology and guidelines, the company needs to set emission reduction targets that are consistent with limiting global warming to the specified levels. These targets are validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative to ensure they meet the necessary criteria, but halving emissions by 2030 must be the overarching priority for companies, with longer term Net Zero goals.

Step 3: Implementation - How to deliver carbon reduction targets

Businesses should then follow the best practice guidance from the SBTi to develop the required level of carbon reduction in order to align with the Paris Agreement.This may involve adopting energy-efficient practices, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and making other operational changes to reduce emissions. This will equip companies with a view of what target they need to hit by their chosen end date, as well as an annual reduction target.

Step 4: Monitoring and reporting

The business must then work with all areas of the company to develop reduction plans, and measure and monitor progress regularly in order to stay on course. The organization must regularly track its progress toward meeting the science-based targets and report its emissions reductions transparently to consumers and stakeholders.