# Introduction

## Overview

The Climate Targets dataset captures how over 5,000 companies worldwide disclose and set greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets: both absolute (total emissions reduction) and intensity-based (emissions per unit of output). It provides a harmonized view of corporate climate ambition across industries and regions, enabling consistent measurement and comparison.

The dataset standardizes disclosures on target scopes: Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect energy), and Scope 3 (value chain) emissions, along with baseline and target years, reduction magnitudes, and intensity denominators. Through rigorous normalization of metrics, time horizons, and boundaries, fragmented corporate targets are transformed into comparable, time-bound, and data-backed commitments.

This dataset focuses on **quantified GHG reduction targets**, enabling robust analysis of corporate ambition and measurable progress toward global climate objectives. It supports comparability across companies and facilitates long-term tracking of decarbonization performance.

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Broader corporate climate claims & commitments, such as net-zero and carbon neutrality, are captured in a separate dataset: Climate Commitments.
{% endhint %}

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## Data Characteristics

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><i class="fa-building">:building:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Company Coverage</mark></td><td><strong>5000</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-globe">:globe:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Geographical Coverage</mark></td><td><strong>Global</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-shapes">:shapes:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Sectoral Coverage</mark></td><td><strong>All Sectors</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-calendar-range">:calendar-range:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Data Historical Range</mark></td><td><strong>From 2019 to 2024</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-reflect-vertical">:reflect-vertical:</i>  <mark style="color:$primary;">Median Data History</mark></td><td><strong>2.5 years</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-magnifying-glass-waveform">:magnifying-glass-waveform:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Data Traceability Rate</mark></td><td><strong>100%</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-chart-simple">:chart-simple:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Data Frequency</mark></td><td><strong>Annual</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-repeat">:repeat:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Average Reporting Lag</mark></td><td><strong>3 months</strong></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-bring-forward">:bring-forward:</i> <mark style="color:$primary;">Data Format</mark></td><td><strong>Most Recent</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>

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## What makes Tracenable's Climate Targets Data Unique

Tracenable's Climate Targets data product sets the market benchmark for precision, standardization, reliability, and integrity. Learn why our data stands apart:

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><i class="fa-award">:award:</i> <strong>Beyond Market Standard</strong></td><td><mark style="color:$primary;">Tracenable's GHG emissions reduction target data offers greater detail and standardization than SBTi or CDP data - not only in terms of units and directionality coverage, but every data point includes information on baseline figures and achievements against targets whenever available, facilitating immediate application for calculating temperature alignment scores and other critical environmental assessments.</mark></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-puzzle">:puzzle:</i> <strong>Maximized Completeness</strong></td><td><mark style="color:$primary;">Our advanced algorithms synthesize climate targets across multiple sources to create the most complete picture possible. When a company reports target details in different documents, such as baseline in annual reports and progress updates on their website, we integrate all data points to provide continuous, up-to-date tracking of commitments and achievements.</mark></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-bullseye-arrow">:bullseye-arrow:</i> <strong>Precision in Every Figure</strong></td><td><mark style="color:$primary;">Our cross-source validation ensures precise tracking of climate commitments and achievements. For instance, we capture exact baseline emissions of 1,542,450 tCO2e rather than rounded-sm figures, while maintaining clear links between targets, baselines, and achievement metrics.</mark></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-arrow-down-triangle-square">:arrow-down-triangle-square:</i> <strong>Exceptionally Granular &#x26; Fully Standardized</strong></td><td><mark style="color:$primary;">We standardize intensity-based targets using over 200 'as reported' metrics mapped to 28 comparable categories. This unique approach enables meaningful comparison of targets across companies, sectors, and time periods, while preserving original reporting detail.</mark></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-magnifying-glass-chart">:magnifying-glass-chart:</i> <strong>End-to-End Data Traceability</strong></td><td><mark style="color:$primary;">Every climate target and achievement metric is traceable to its original source with exact page references and documentation of calculation methodologies. This transparency enables confident verification of corporate climate commitments and progress claims.</mark></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-octagon-check">:octagon-check:</i> <strong>Full-Scope Boundary Verification</strong></td><td><mark style="color:$primary;">We tag GHG emissions reduction targets that do not cover a company's entire organizational or operational boundaries with an 'Incomplete Boundaries' attribute. This attribute enhances transparency and ensures the comparability of our data by keeping you informed of any potential limitations.</mark></td></tr></tbody></table>

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## Deep Dive into the Climate Targets Dataset

On the following pages, you’ll find all the resources needed to fully understand and apply the Climate Targets dataset:

* [**Definitions & Terminology**](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/definitions-and-terminology) – Key terms and concepts used in the dataset
* [**Data Dimensions & Metrics**](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/data-dimensions-and-metrics) – Breakdown of Climate Targets metrics and how they are structured
* [**References & Standards**](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/references-and-standards) – Alignment with global reporting frameworks and regulations
* [**Data Collection Methodology** ](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/data-collection-methodology)– How the dataset is built and validated
  * [**Data Sources**](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/data-collection-methodology/data-sources) – Origin and type of corporate disclosures collected
  * [**Standardization Guidelines**](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/data-collection-methodology/standardization-guidelines) – Rules applied to ensure comparability
  * [**Calculation Logic**](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/data-collection-methodology/calculation-logic) – Methods for deriving standardized metrics
  * [**Quality Assurance** ](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/data-collection-methodology/quality-assurance)– Checks and processes ensuring data integrity
* [**Data Dictionary** ](https://docs.tracenable.com/climate-targets/data-dictionary)– Complete reference of fields, units, and definitions

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