The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), one of the key organizations focused on aligning corporate environmental sustainability action with the global goals of limiting climate change, announced the appointment of climate action and sustainability veteran David Kennedy as its new CEO.

The appointment follows a tumultuous year for the SBTi, which saw its prior CEO resign following a controversial plan by the organization to allow the use of carbon credits in corporate net zero plans.

Kennedy served as the founding Chief Executive of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the UK’s climate advisor, responsible for advising UK governments on emissions targets and reporting to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

In his most recent role, Kennedy has served as a Partner at global professional services firm EY, focused on corporate sustainability, leading work on net zero strategy and planning for businesses across the banking, food, infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. He has also served as Director General of Food, Biosecurity and Trade at the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Francesco Starace, Chair of SBTi, said:

“We are extremely excited to welcome David to the SBTi as our new CEO. He has extensive leadership in climate action, a track record of working with both the public and private sector, exceptional strategic capabilities and proven operational effectiveness. As the founding Chief Executive of the UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC), David is a true pioneer with unrivalled qualifications.”

The SBTi was founded in 2015 with the goal to establish science-based environmental target setting as a standard corporate practice. The organizations’ key functions include defining and promoting best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science, providing technical assistance to companies who set science-based targets, and providing companies with independent assessment and validation of their emissions reduction targets.

The organization launched its flagship Corporate Net-Zero Standard in 2021, used to assess and certify companies’ decarbonization commitments to achieve net zero emissions and to act as a blueprint for companies’ science-based climate target setting. In early 2024, the SBTi announced plans to revise the Corporate Net Zero Standard, including additional guidance on tackling Scope 3 emissions, which occur in value chain areas outside of companies’ direct control, and following a call for evidence issued by the SBTi on the use of environmental attribute certificates (EACs), such as carbon credits, the SBTi board in April 2024 announced plans to extend the use of EACs to tackle Scope 3 value chain emissions in the new standard.

Following the announcement, however, SBTi staff issued a letter indicating that they were “deeply concerned” about the plans, and reportedly called for the resignation of the CEO and board members.

In June 2024, SBTi CEO Luiz Amaral resigned from the organization, citing personal reasons. Amaral was succeeded by interim CEO Sue Jenny Ehr.

Following Amaral’s resignation, the SBTi indicated that it may backtrack on its plan for the expanded role of carbon credits in the new standard, releasing new research papers as part of the process of the development of the new standard, including a synthesis report which highlighted studies suggesting that “various types of carbon credits are ineffective in delivering their intended mitigation outcomes,” and pointing to “clear risks to corporate use of carbon credits for the purpose of offsetting.”

The SBTi’s new Corporate Net-Zero Standard is still in development, with plans to bring it into effect in 2026.

Kennedy said:

“I am delighted to be joining the SBTi as the new CEO. I’ve spent much of my career working on energy, climate change and sustainability with governments and the private sector. I admire the impact that SBTi has had, catalysing action by thousands of companies around the world: it is an organisation that really matters. I am excited at the prospect of working with the team and partners to advance the mission of the SBTi and deliver even more change at scale, supporting business to make its contribution to the global climate objective in the next crucial period.”

Kennedy is expected to take on his new role as CEO of SBTi in early Q2 2025.