When the STBi Academy launched its new certification process in September last year, François Mahé didn't hesitate. As a sustainability manager at Hedgehog he recognised the importance of credible, evidence-based GHG reporting and is now officially certified STBi Expert. Skilled in setting science-based GHG reduction targets, François now guides companies through the complex STBi validation process, helping them get clarity in sustainability.
The Science Based Targets initiative (STBi) provides the global framework necessary for companies and financial institutions to align their growth with the latest climate science. Demand for the evidence-based standards is surging worldwide as companies are rapidly implementing more climate action. Driven not only by governments and institutions requesting stricter sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance, but also because companies are more committed to the global transition toward a sustainable economy.
To ensure this transition is both effective and efficient, expert guidance is needed more than ever. We sat down with François and asked him a few questions on how he sees his new role as Certified STBi Expert developing.
What motivated you to become a certified SBTi Expert?
We were already supporting clients with their SBTi journeys, so the expertise was there. When a dedicated SBTi certification was launched in September, it was a natural next step. It's a way to formally validate that knowledge and give our clients confidence that we truly know what we're doing. Having a recognised credential signals that we're not just familiar with the framework, but certified in it.
A carbon footprint is a baseline from which you set concrete reduction targets. How does your expertise as an SBTi Expert help companies set reduction targets that are actually achievable in practice?
A lot of the challenge isn't just setting the targets, it's getting them validated. Knowing the SBTi requirements inside out means we can guide companies through the validation process far more smoothly, avoiding common pitfalls and setting the right expectations from the start. We help companies understand what the SBTi will and won't accept, so the targets they commit to are both credible and realistic for their specific situation.
How can a company use the SBTi method to strengthen their competitive position in the market?
Science-based targets send a strong signal. They demonstrate a serious level of ambition and commitment to sustainability, not just good intentions. That matters increasingly in the market because major distributors like Jumbo, bol.com and Ahold Delhaize are now actively requiring their suppliers to have science-based targets in place. Setting them is becoming a prerequisite for doing business with the right partners.
What advice would you give to companies considering science-based targets?
Start by building a solid foundation: get your base year right because everything else is built on top of it. From there, identify your hotspots. Where are the biggest emissions in your value chain? Then develop a carbon reduction roadmap, exploring different scenarios and their impact. Once you have a clear action plan, assess whether science-based targets are feasible and, if they are, commit publicly to setting some and start the validation process.
François Mahé now guides companies in building emissions inventories and selecting the right methodologies, to target validation and post-approval support. Interested in starting your sustainability journey now? Book a free consultation with François:
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