Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Setting climate targets
Aligning climate targets to the net zero pathway
To support the mobile industry to reach its ambition of being net zero by 2050, the GSMA invites all companies within the sector to set science-based targets (SBTs). These targets are science-based because they are calculated by assessing how steep to reduce emissions to keep global heating with 1.5C.
The GSMA, in conjunction the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). created the net zero decarbonisation pathway for the ICT sector in 2020. Since then, many companies across the sector have aligned their targets with this pathway, or are moving to cut their emissions even faster.
Committing to a Target
The first step when setting a target is to make a public commitment. The GSMA recommends making this commitment through the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) - the leading organisation for science-based carbon reduction targets.
The SBTi website provides step by step guidance on how companies are commit to targets. Once a company has committed, then they are included on SBTi public database, which is also used by many other organisations including the UNFCCC to track global progress on climate action.
Science Base Target Initiative Set a Target Process
Setting a Climate Target
Once a company has made their public commitment to a science-based target, the next step is to calculate and set the level of reduction required for the target. To help with this, the GSMA produced a step by step guide with the Carbon Trust that explains how a mobile network operator can calculate the right target that is aligned to the net zero decarbonisation pathway, and so is aligned to 1.5C.
Setting Climate Targets Guide
A step by step guide for mobile network operators to set science based targets. The methodology applies to mobile network operators, fixed network operators and data centre operators.
This guide provides practical step-by-step instructions for a mobile network operator to apply the approach when setting a SBT. The guide is intended to be comprehensive on its own, providing fundamental information on the full target-setting process, from measuring corporate greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to developing targets and submitting them to SBTi for validation.
The guide is divided into four sections plus annexes:
The guide is divided into four sections plus annexes:
- A general overview of the steps to setting SBTs;
- A detailed explanation of how to apply these steps to an ICT company;
- Useful references, tools and case studies for measuring emission inventories and setting SBTs;
- Answers to frequently asked questions.
Setting Climate Targets: How to apply the Guidance
RACE TO ZERO
The GSMA supports the UNFCCC’s Race to Zero, a global campaign rallying non-state actors – including companies, cities, regions, financial, educational, and healthcare institutions – to take rigorous and immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030 and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world.