How long do we have to announce SBTi-approved targets?

Six months from the approval date. Under C28 of the SBTi Corporate Near-Term Criteria V5.3.1, approved targets must be announced on the SBTi website within that time. Targets still unannounced after six months go through approval again, unless SBTi has agreed a different timeframe in writing.

What the clock covers

• It starts on the approval date in SBTi's validation letter.
• Announcing means the target appears on the SBTi website, on its Target Dashboard.
• Only a written agreement with SBTi changes the six months.

What happens if you miss it

• C28: the targets go back through approval.
• SBTi Commitment and Target Statuses V2.1: deciding not to publish validated targets in the required timeframe is one of the listed reasons for removing a commitment. A removed company cannot list a new commitment, though it can still submit targets.

After you publish

• C25: report your company-wide inventory and progress against the target publicly every year. A sustainability report, annual report, website or CDP response all count (R12).
• Use SBTi's name and logo only as its communications guide allows. SBTi's FAQ says companies with a commitment but no validated target may not use the logo.
• Tell the buyers who asked. Send the dashboard link and the exact target wording, not a paraphrase.

Get sign-off before you submit

Most delays come from internal approval of the final wording, not from SBTi. Agree the wording, the board sign-off and who will announce it before the target goes in for validation, so the six months is spent publishing, not debating.

Example timeline

• Approval letter dated 15 December 2026
• Deadline to appear on the SBTi website: 15 June 2027
• Internal plan: board note in January, announcement and buyer emails in February, four months of margin

Example dates.

What Senseible does here

Senseible keeps the yearly Scope 1 and 2 figures from your bills and invoices, with the source document behind each line, which supports the annual progress report that follows publication. It does not set, submit or validate SBTi targets; SBTi Services validates them.

• What SBTi "Commitment removed" means
• Check a company's SBTi target
• SBTi five-year target review
• Scope 3 supplier evidence

Sources: SBTi, Corporate Near-Term Criteria V5.3.1 (final, April 2026, in effect from 14 April 2026): C25, R12, C28, SBTi, Commitment and Target Statuses, Version 2.1 (October 2026): Commitment removed, SBTi, Frequently asked questions: logo use

Last reviewed 2026-11-01.