SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is an independent body that validates corporate greenhouse-gas reduction targets against the emissions cuts climate science says are needed to limit warming to 1.5°C, giving data center operators a third-party-verified way to back up net-zero claims. Digital Realty became the first global data center company with SBTi-validated targets in 2020, committing to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions 68% and Scope 3 emissions 24% by 2030 against a 2018 baseline; Equinix holds SBTi-approved targets to reach net-zero by 2040, alongside an interim goal of climate-neutral operations across its portfolio by 2030. Because a data center's Scope 2 emissions are driven overwhelmingly by grid electricity, SBTi-aligned targets typically translate into renewable-energy procurement through PPAs and RECs, and increasingly drive due-diligence requests from hyperscale tenants and investors who expect suppliers to hold or be pursuing SBTi validation.