Demand for validation services has risen consistently, with the total number of companies with validated targets doubling again in 2024.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has met this with a proposed ‘scaleup’ of validation services includung process optimisation, implementation of increasing technological and data capabilities and an expansion in the number of staff. It has also launched its open call for Validation Council members to oversee the governance of target validation as the SBTi continues to develop its validation entity.

The SBTi’s head of validation McKenna Smith commented: “We are delighted to open this call for a new governance structure to oversee the vital work of science-based target validation. As we continue to grow and develop and evolve into our scaled-up structure, the support of the Validation Council will be invaluable. It will act as an assurer of quality and independence of validated science-based targets and, ultimately, the decarbonisation goals of companies and financial institutions.”

Validation Council members will initially be appointed by the SBTi, before being transferred to the validation services entity as it becomes fully operational. They are being recruited with support from Climate17, a purpose-led, international Renewable Energy & Sustainability recruitment consulting firm.

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