CEO of Science Based Targets initiative steps down due to personal reasons

Luiz Amaral, the CEO of the Science Based Targets initiative, has announced his resignation after a little over two years in the position. Amaral cited unspecified personal reasons for his decision to step down, which will be effective on July 31. Jenny Ehr, SBTi’s chief legal officer, will serve as interim CEO while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted.

SBTi was established in 2014 to assist companies in setting voluntary targets that align with the Paris Agreement in terms of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. By the end of 2023, 4,205 companies had targets validated by SBTi, including 449 striving to meet the corporate net-zero standard. Some companies, such as Intel and Amazon, have chosen not to adhere to SBTi’s framework, while others like Microsoft and Walmart have not had their targets validated.

The future of the organization came into question in April when SBTi announced that it would consider allowing companies to utilize carbon credits to offset emissions. This sparked controversy, leading to calls for Amaral’s resignation from certain SBTi staff and advisors. Amaral, who took on the role of CEO in February 2022, had previously been head of sustainability for South America at Rabobank and played a key role in transitioning SBTi into a standalone organization.

Francesco Starace, the chairperson of SBTi, reaffirmed the organization’s mission and promised a seamless transition following Amaral’s resignation. He expressed confidence in the dedication of SBTi’s colleagues, technical council, and companies around the world committed to fulfilling the goals of the Paris Agreement. Together, they will continue to focus on supporting companies in their efforts to meet their environmental commitments.