SBTi Enforces Commitment Compliance Policy as Six-Month Grace Period Ends

The Science Based Targets initiative ended the six-month grace period for its Commitment Compliance Policy on 31 July 2023, after which companies that had not submitted science-based targets within the required timeframe were marked as Commitment Removed on the SBTi Target Dashboard. The policy requires companies to set validated targets within 24 months of committing.

The Commitment Compliance Policy came into force on 31 January 2023, replacing a system under which non-compliant organisations were simply removed from the Target Dashboard without a formal designation. Under the new policy, organisations that fail to submit targets within the 24-month window are publicly identified as Commitment Removed, creating a visible accountability mechanism. Companies that submitted targets before 31 July and received validation are listed as Targets Set. Those that submitted within the commitment timeframe but are still awaiting approval remain listed as Active.

The policy change is intended to increase transparency and act as a deterrent against organisations making commitments without following through with validated targets. The SBTi noted the majority of committed companies do go on to set targets. The designation Commitment Removed does not permanently bar companies from re-engaging — organisations can still submit and have targets approved at any point. The SBTi stated it encourages all companies whose commitments were removed to re-engage as soon as possible.

The SBTi noted separate provisions apply to Business Ambition for 1.5°C Campaign commitments made under option 2, which carry a deadline of 31 January 2024. Financial institutions have an extended deadline of April 2024 or six months from the publication of the Financial Institution Net-Zero Standard, whichever is later. The initiative framed the policy as essential for its role as a credible standard-setter, balancing strict accountability with acknowledgement that internal processes vary and that the climate target journey is new for many organisations.

Key figure — 24-month window from commitment to validated target submission under the Compliance Policy