The Science-Based Targets Initiative has received quite a bit of backlash over the years. From researchers questioning the methodology to greenwashing accusations, it is unclear whether setting targets drives meaningful change. Anders Bjørn and Mark Trexler will be debating about whether companies should be setting Science Based Targets and what their suggested solutions are for decarbonization. The debate will be centered around private versus public initiatives and policies.
Reasons to attend
Learn about the shortfalls of the SBTi
Suggested solutions to drive meaningful change
Private versus public initiatives
Audience
Professional from all sectors, with an interest in Science Based Targets
About the Speakers
Anders Bjørn is a Postdoctoral Fellow at CIRAIG. Anders’ current research revolves around the recent trend of companies setting emission reduction targets informed by the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. The overall project goal is to understand the potential impact of such science-based targets on global emissions. To do this, he is 1) reviewing and comparing the methods that are available to set science-based targets, 2) studying the methodological choices of companies and the quantitative effect on targets, 3) analyzing companies’ reported progress against their targets, and 4) reviewing the broader literature on science-based targets to understand their indirect effect on other actors, such as investors and regulators. Anders is also interested in corporate net-zero emission targets and the role of negative emission technologies envisioned by companies.
Dr. Trexler has more than 30 years of regulatory and energy policy experience. He has advised clients around the world on climate change risk and risk management. Mark joined the World Resources Institute in Washington, DC, in 1988, where he worked on the first carbon offset project, the CARE Agroforestry Project in Guatemala. Mark founded and directed Trexler Climate + Energy Services (TC+ES) from 1991–2007. After TC+ES was acquired by EcoSecurities’ in 2007, Mark directed its Global Consulting Services Group until 2009, and was Director of Climate Risk for the global risk management firm of Det Norske Veritas from 2009-2012. He is widely published on business risk management topics surrounding climate change, including in the design and deployment of carbon markets. Mark has served as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and holds advanced degrees from the University of California at Berkeley.
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