SBTi and the Role of SBTi-Compliant I-RECs in Corporate Climate Action
What is the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)?
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global framework that helps companies set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets in line with climate science. Its goal is to ensure businesses align with the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
SBTi pushes companies to:
Measure — Understand and report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
Reduce — Implement operational efficiency, process improvements, and supply chain changes.
Neutralize residual emissions — Offset unavoidable emissions using high-quality, verified climate solutions.
Why Scope 2 Matters in SBTi
Scope 2 emissions come from the electricity a company purchases and consumes. For many organizations, these represent a significant portion of their total emissions footprint.
SBTi requires that Scope 2 reductions be backed by credible renewable energy procurement strategies — including the use of recognized energy certificates that meet strict quality and traceability standards.
What are I-RECs?
The International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) is a globally recognized tracking instrument that certifies the renewable origin of electricity. Each I-REC represents 1 MWh of electricity generated from renewable sources, matched to a consumer’s energy usage.
I-RECs allow companies to:
Prove they are using renewable electricity.
Claim market-based Scope 2 reductions.
Demonstrate progress towards their science-based targets.
SBTi-Compliant I-RECs: Why They Matter
Not all renewable energy claims are created equal. For an I-REC to be SBTi-compliant, it must meet key quality criteria:
Geographic relevance — Generated in the same market where the energy is consumed.
Temporal matching — Procured in the same year (or ideally the same month) as the electricity use.
Certification integrity — Issued and tracked through recognized I-REC registries, preventing double counting.
Using SBTi-compliant I-RECs ensures:
Your renewable energy claims are credible and verifiable.
You are aligned with global corporate climate reporting standards.
Your efforts contribute directly to your approved SBTi pathway.
Why Hestiya’s I-RECs Are the Right Choice
At Hestiya, we supply I-RECs that fully meet SBTi’s compliance requirements, ensuring your Scope 2 emission reductions are recognized under the initiative.
Our I-RECs provide:
Verified renewable sourcing from trusted generators.
Market and time-aligned procurement.
Documentation ready for sustainability audits and SBTi verification.
By choosing SBTi-compliant I-RECs through Hestiya, you are making a measurable, transparent, and science-aligned impact on your journey to net zero.
Platforms like Hestiya Marketplace offer enhanced convenience, transparency, and access—especially useful when aiming for traceable, reputable I-REC sourcing visit Hestiya Marketplace to get good quality I-RECs.
