Science Based Targets Initiative
Analysis
Science Based Targets Initiative is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in November 2023, 3 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 14960097). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Science Based Targets Initiative reported income of £25.1m and spending of £20.7m, spending 83% of its income. Across the 2 years on record, from December 2024 to December 2025, income grew from £22.2m to £25.1m (+13%), an average of +13% a year. Over the whole period it spent 65% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Science Based Targets Initiative sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The National Film and Television School (£25.0m), Stevenage Leisure (£25.1m) and The Polonsky Foundation (£24.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 75% and charitable activities 25%. Charitable activities took 75% of spending and raising funds 25%. Grants to other organisations totalled £381k. Reserves of £14.4m would cover about 8 months of spending at that rate. It employed 171 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Charitable activities 25%
- Trading 75%
- Investments 0.2%
In the charity's own words
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies and financial institutions worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis.We develop standards, tools and guidance which allow companies to set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions targets in line with what is needed to keep global heating below catastrophic levels a
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The National Film and Television School | Beaconsfield | £25.0m |
| Stevenage Leisure | £25.1m | |
| The Polonsky Foundation | London | £24.9m |
| Somerset House Trust | London | £25.3m |