SBTi Seeks Companies to Test Revised Timber and Wood Fiber Emissions Pathway

The Science Based Targets initiative has opened applications for companies to pilot test a revised timber and wood fiber pathway included in the FLAG Target-Setting Tool, with applications open until 5 January 2026. The revised pathway introduces a new long-term target-setting method and refinements to near-term target-setting for companies across the forest and paper products sector.

The updated timber and wood fiber pathway builds on stakeholder feedback and practical learnings from the pathway's existing implementation, aiming to improve usability while ensuring alignment with evolving climate science and long-term emissions goals. The SBTi is targeting companies in the forest and paper products sector, as well as any company whose timber and wood fiber-related emissions account for 10% or more of their total FLAG emissions. Forestry activity is central to the natural capital base of the global economy: more than half of world GDP — approximately $44 trillion in economic value — depends moderately or highly on nature and its services.

The revised pathway is especially significant given the scale of economic exposure to nature loss. Without decisive action, the continued loss of natural ecosystems could cost the global economy $2.7 trillion per year by 2030. Companies participating in the pilot will gain early access to the latest SBTi methodologies, enhanced visibility as climate leaders with customers, regulators and investors, and the opportunity to directly shape the final pathway before broader release. The pilot test is expected to begin no earlier than Q1 2026 and will run for approximately six weeks.

The timber and wood fiber revision is part of the SBTi's broader effort to continuously improve and update its sector-specific guidance. For Indian companies involved in paper production, packaging and supply chains dependent on wood-derived materials — including major pulp and paper manufacturers — the updated pathway will offer a more refined and credible methodology for incorporating forestry-related emissions into science-based targets. The final revised pathway will be integrated into the broader FLAG Target-Setting Tool upon completion of the pilot and approval by the SBTi Technical Council.

Key figure — $2.7 trillion per year estimated global economic cost of continued ecosystem loss by 2030