SBTi Academy: Helping Procurement Become More Sustainable

Procurement is on the front line of corporate decarbonisation. Purchased goods and services often dominate Scope 3 emissions, yet capability gaps, inconsistent supplier data and complex methodologies can stall progress.

To accelerate credible action, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has launched the SBTi Academy, a digital hub for training, upskilling and certifying professionals on science-based emissions reduction target setting.

Designed as a primary learning resource, the academy aims to demystify target-setting and align users with the latest SBTi standards and best practice.

For procurement leaders, it offers a structured route to build team fluency, engage suppliers with confidence and embed scientific rigour into sourcing strategies and contracts.

A growing need for climate-skilled buyers

Investor, consumer and regulatory pressure is rising for transparent, ambitious climate action.

Companies are building decarbonisation roadmaps and expect procurement to translate them into category strategies, supplier requirements and measurable outcomes.

The SBTi Academy is intended to build a global pool of skilled practitioners who can guide this, advancing corporate climate leadership across the value chain.

“While the appetite for science-based targets is growing, access to skills is a common barrier to target-setting,” says Tracy Wyman, Chief Impact Officer of the SBTi. 

"By providing foundational knowledge for those just setting out on their own sustainability journey and providing certification for sustainability experts already helping companies on their journeys to decarbonise, the SBTi Academy aims to bridge the skills gap to set companies up for success.”

For Tracy, procurement capability is central to closing this gap at scale.

Three hubs, one pathway

The SBTi Academy curriculum is organised into three hubs that map to user experience levels. Learners can progress from fundamentals to application, then to formal certification, or dip into specific modules that match role needs.

Built for professionals new to science-based targets, the Onboarding Hub explains what targets are, why they matter for credible corporate climate strategy and the first steps to get started. All content is free.

Modules include:

• A 60-minute introduction to science-based targets
• A 65 to 70-minute overview of core technical concepts
• Sessions on the target-setting journey

Procurement teams will also value guidance on the streamlined Small and Medium-sized Enterprises route, useful for engaging long-tail suppliers, and the Forest, Land and Agriculture framework, relevant to categories with land use impacts.

Practitioner’s Hub: from theory to action

For those already active in sustainability, ESG, procurement or reporting, the Practitioner’s Hub deepens practical application. It has two module types.

Exploring modules are free and unpack SBTi standards, tools and guidance, including the GHG Protocol, the accounting standard for emissions, and the nuances of setting corporate near-term targets and long-term net zero targets.

Applying modules are paid and focus on implementation of corporate target setting. Training covers common challenges procurement faces, such as Scope 3 data collection and target modelling, enabling practitioners to design supplier requirements, evaluate bids on carbon alongside cost and risk, and lead internal decarbonisation initiatives with confidence.

Certified Experts Hub: raising the bar

The most advanced tier offers SBTi certification for experienced practitioners and consultants.

It is for individuals who already possess an in-depth understanding of the initiative, providing a formal benchmark of expertise that can strengthen advisory credibility with business stakeholders and suppliers.

By meeting teams where they are and scaling practical skills, the SBTi Academy gives procurement a clear pathway to turn climate commitments into measurable supplier action, faster.