Submitting targets to SBTi is a technical process that requires methodological precision, robust documentation and alignment with constantly evolving criteria. Companies that approach the process without this preparation typically face revision requests, missed deadlines and, in some cases, outright rejection requiring a restart from scratch. The five most common mistakes are: (1) inventory with gaps in relevant scope 3, which SBTi requires to be covered; (2) use of target methodologies unsuitable for the company's sector; (3) base year with inconsistencies that invalidate the reduction trajectory; (4) short- and long-term targets misaligned with each other; and (5) incomplete documentation in the submission spreadsheets.
The first and most critical error is an incomplete inventory. SBTi requires companies to cover all relevant scope 3 categories — especially those representing more than 40% of total emissions. Companies that arrive at submission with an inventory restricted to scopes 1 and 2 need to go back steps, delaying the process by months. Correct preparation starts with a materiality analysis of scope 3 categories before even beginning target calculations.
The second group of errors involves methodology selection. SBTi offers different approaches — SDA (Sectoral Decarbonization Approach), ABS (Absolute-Based Contraction), EC+ and others — and applying the wrong methodology for the company's profile generates targets that won't be approved. For sectors such as energy generation, transport, paper and pulp, construction and intensive manufacturing, there are specific sectoral guidelines that need to be consulted before any modeling.
Climoo supports companies throughout all stages of the SBTi journey: from inventory compliance analysis, through target modeling and submission dossier preparation, to post-approval monitoring. Our team is SBTi-certified and has gone through submission processes covering different sectors and company sizes — which means accumulated knowledge of the critical points the process requires.
