Credible climate targets for SMEs with ClimatePartner
October 21, 2025Why SMEs should act now
Small and medium-sized enterprises are under increasing pressure: B2C and B2B customers, investors, banks, and regulatory requirements expect credible climate targets. At the same time, opportunities are emerging like competitive advantages in the supply chain to cost savings through energy efficiency.
Three key reasons for action
Supply chain requirements: Large companies are increasingly demanding climate targets from their suppliers. SBTi-validated targets are becoming a selection criterion.
Access to capital: Institutional investors and lenders are increasingly expecting information on emission targets, climate risks, and reduction plans, which influences financing costs and access to capital.
Regulation: Even though many SMEs are not yet directly affected by the CSRD, they are feeling the effects of requirements via customers and partners. Simplified standards such as the VSME make it easier to get started with professional and comparable reporting.
Why set climate targets with the SBTi?
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is the global standard for science-based climate targets. SBTi validation shows that your emissions reduction targets are ambitious, measurable, and internationally recognised. (Additionally, with less effort and lower costs for SMEs than for large companies.)
The SBTi process for SMEs
Calculate your carbon footprint: The basis is your corporate carbon footprint (CCF). For an SME target at the SBTi, scopes 1 and 2 emissions are sufficient while relevant scope 3 categories should be added at an early stage.
Target definition: Selection of base and target years and the ambition of your reduction target.
Validation: Once your management has made a decision, the targets are submitted to the SBTi for validation, which confirms compatibility with science-based pathways.
Monitoring and reporting: Regular calculation and reporting of your emissions. Start including your scope 3 emissions now at the latest.
How ClimatePartner supports SMEs
Data collection and footprint calculation: We collect your company data using standardised templates, prioritise relevant activities, and use verified emission factors from our databases. This results in a precise, SBTi-compliant CCF as the basis for your climate target.
Practical workshop: In a compact, interactive workshop, we work with you to develop your SBTi target and prepare the submission so that you can then quickly and easily submit your target for validation.
Additional validation support: On request, we can assist you in communicating with the SBTi. This ensures that the validation process runs smoothly until your science-based climate target is officially confirmed.
Your benefits after the workshop
After validation by the SBTi, you will have a credible climate target that you can confidently communicate to suppliers, customers, investors, lenders, employees, and the public.
As an SME, you often have an advantage over large corporations: SMEs are more agile and can implement measures faster. Process optimisation, energy efficiency, material savings, and supplier engagement can quickly lead to measurable reductions. This makes SMEs key drivers of climate-friendly supply chains and attractive partners for larger companies.
Examples of concrete measures:
- Energy optimisation in production and logistics (quick savings, often with positive ROI)
- Material efficiency and substitution of emission-intensive inputs (e.g. raw materials changes)
- Use of renewable energy (direct procurement or via certificates) to reduce scope 2 emissions
- Product design and packaging reduction as levers for scope 3 emissions
Why ClimatePartner?
Target setting expertise: With experience from over 50 SBTi projects, we accompany SMEs step by step in the development of science-based targets, from the data collection to final validation, and ensure that the targets are both ambitious and achievable.
Industry expertise: We've been working in more than ten industries for over 20 years. We know the typical emissions hotspots and the most effective reduction targets and measures in industries such as food, manufacturing, services, and many more.
Efficiency: Using proven methods and standardised processes, we provide fast and structured SBTi support that is tailored to SME requirements.
Your next step
Would you like to find out if your company is ready for an SBTi target? Book a call with one of our experts. Together, we'll develop a pragmatic roadmap that conserves your resources and maximises your impact.