The SBTi Board’s proposal to allowing carbon offsetting to achieve climate objectives is ineffective and dangerous, writes Alain Grandjean in Environmental Finance.

Ten years after its creation, the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi) has validated the climate objectives of over 4,000 companies, establishing itself as a key label for climate commitment. However, on 9 April, this year, the organisation’s Board of Trustees announced its intention to authorise the use of « Environmental Attribute Certificates », including carbon credits, to achieve Scope 3 emissions reduction targets.

This announcement has sparked indignation among many climate action players, insofar as it negates the SBTi’s raison d’être, tarnishes the credibility of companies that have complied with it, and dangerously delays the collective action needed for the ecological transition.

That is why we, the signatories of this letter and seasoned practitioners of SBTi standards, call on the organisation to abandon this development. The letter was signed by 378 people.