How much of our Scope 3 must a near-term SBTi target cover?
At least 67% of total Scope 3 emissions, counting reported and excluded emissions, using the minimum boundary of each category. Reduction targets, supplier or customer engagement targets, or a mix can add up to it. Optional emissions outside the minimum boundary do not count towards the 67%.
When Scope 3 needs a target at all
If relevant Scope 3 emissions are 40% or more of total Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, they must be in the near-term target. No more than 5% of total Scope 3 may be left out of the inventory.
What can make up the 67%
- Emission reduction targets on whole Scope 3 or on single categories.
- Supplier or customer engagement targets, which must state what share of emissions or, if that is unknown, of annual procurement spend they cover, and be met within five years of submission.
- Targets on optional emissions outside a category's minimum boundary are welcome but sit on top. They cannot count towards the 67%.
What it means if you are a supplier
A buyer that picks engagement targets is committing to get suppliers to set their own targets. Expect a request to show yours, or a date by which you will have one.
A manufacturer's Scope 3 (round numbers)
- Total Scope 3: 10,000 tCO2e. Purchased goods 5,200, freight 2,100, waste 600, business travel 300, commuting 400, end of life 1,400.
- Target on purchased goods and freight: 5,200 plus 2,100 = 7,300, which is 73% of the total and clears 67%.
- Target on purchased goods alone: 52%, which does not.
What Senseible does here
Senseible turns your invoices and bills into verified Scope 1 and 2 records, and shows where supplier data is still missing for Scope 3. Verified here means rule checks passed against the evidence. It is not third-party assurance, and it does not validate targets: only the SBTi's validation process does.
Sources: SBTi, Corporate Near-Term Criteria, version 5.3.1 (April 2026)
Last reviewed 2026-11-04.