SBTi Publishes First Global Register of Certified Climate Target Experts

The Science Based Targets initiative has launched the world's first register of certified science-based target-setting experts, alongside a new e-learning platform called the SBTi Academy. Experts gain certification by completing a seven-part assessment process demonstrating advanced proficiency in greenhouse gas inventory assessment and science-based target modelling.

The SBTi Academy is structured across three hubs targeting different expertise levels. The Onboarding Hub offers free foundational training for those new to science-based target-setting, covering introductory modules on technical concepts. The Practitioners' Hub provides advanced premium training on subjects including the GHG Protocol, corporate near-term targets and corporate net-zero targets, with recommended pathways based on the learner's role and existing expertise. The Certification Hub is the assessment centre for specialists, with certified experts listed on the SBTi website and included in the new public register.

The launch responds to a widening global gap between demand for green talent and available supply. Global demand for sustainability professionals is outpacing supply twofold, with demand growing at 11.6% against supply growth of 5.6%. Surveys indicate that 76% of businesses consider early-stage skills the biggest upskilling challenge, and 68% of sustainability leaders describe themselves as having been developed from within their organisations rather than hired for sustainability expertise. The SBTi Academy is intended to professionalise the sustainability function and ensure more companies have access to technically capable advisors for science-based target-setting.

For India, where the sustainability consulting market is expanding rapidly in response to SEBI's BRSR requirements, RBI climate risk guidance and growing investor-driven ESG scrutiny, the SBTi Academy's certification programme offers a globally recognised credential for sustainability professionals. The nine hours of online training and formal certification process are designed to improve the quality and consistency of science-based target-setting engagements, reduce time-to-validation for companies, and ultimately accelerate the corporate decarbonisation needed to meet India's and the world's net-zero commitments.

Key figure — 11.6% annual demand growth for green talent versus 5.6% supply growth globally