SCOUT'S SCIENCE BASED TARGETS COMMITMENT: WHAT COMES NEXT

Scout has made near-term and net-zero commitments through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

This post explains what that commitment means, what it doesn't mean, and what happens next.

SBTi commitments follow a defined process. Approval of a commitment signals intent and accountability. Target validation comes later, after emissions data is collected and reviewed. Being clear about these distinctions matters, especially when climate terms are often used loosely.

You can view Scout’s current status on the SBTi Target Dashboard, which serves as the public source of truth for company commitments and targets.

How the SBTi process is structured

The Science Based Targets initiative provides a framework for setting greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets that align with climate science.

A defining feature of the SBTi process is the separation between commitment and validation. Making a commitment signals an organization’s intent to develop emissions reduction targets that meet defined scientific criteria.

Validation comes later, after emissions data is collected, targets are developed, and those targets are reviewed against SBTi standards.

This intentional structure helps ensure that public climate claims are grounded in data and evaluated using a consistent methodology.

What an approved commitment does (and doesn’t) mean

An approved SBTi commitment means that Scout has formally entered the SBTi process and is accountable for completing the required next steps within a defined timeframe.

It does not mean that…

• …emissions reductions have already been achieved.
• …targets have been validated or approved.
• …Scout is net-zero.

At this stage, the commitment reflects intent, accountability, and transparency. Our work now is to translate that commitment into data-backed, science-based targets.

Being explicit about this distinction matters. Clear communication is one of the principles SBTi emphasizes, and it helps avoid confusion or overstatement about what climate commitments represent at different stages.

What happens next?

The next phase of Scout’s SBTi process focuses on building the foundation required for target validation.

That work includes completing a full greenhouse gas emissions inventory across relevant emissions scopes, in line with SBTi requirements. This inventory provides the baseline data needed to develop near-term and net-zero targets.

Using that data, Scout will develop emissions reduction targets aligned with SBTi criteria and submit them for validation within the required timeframe. SBTi then reviews those targets to determine whether they meet its standards.

Only after that review process can targets be described as validated or approved.

Throughout this period, Scout’s status and progress will continue to be reflected on the SBTi dashboard as the company moves through each stage.

Why are we sharing this now?

Climate commitments are increasingly part of how organizations are evaluated, whether in procurement processes, partnerships, or broader accountability conversations. Clear and accurate communication matters, especially when terms are often used imprecisely.

We’re sharing where Scout is in the SBTi process so it’s clear what this commitment means today, and what still needs to happen next.

As Scout progresses through target development and validation, we’ll update our disclosures to reflect that status accurately and in line with SBTi guidance.

Looking ahead

The SBTi process is structured, rigorous, and intentionally time-bound. That structure is what gives science-based targets their credibility.

Scout’s approved commitment is an important step, but it’s one step in a longer process that prioritizes measurement, review, and accountability. We’ll continue to approach this work with the same care we apply to other areas of compliance and governance.

When targets are submitted and validated, we’ll communicate that milestone clearly and precisely.

Until then, the focus remains on doing the work required to get there.