Intensity vs absolute targets
An absolute target is a percent change in tonnes of CO₂e versus the target base year. An intensity target is a percent change in emissions per unit of output. Absolute emissions equal intensity times output quantity Q.
What each target type means
The default custom target is absolute per scope. You enter a percent change for Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 in a near-term year and a long-term year.
An intensity target uses the same percent fields as a change in intensity, not as a change in tonnes. You must also enter output Q in the target base year, the near-term year, and the long-term year.
Output Q is the denominator. Example: tonnes of product, or megawatt-hours sold. You give the unit label so the methodology record is clear.
A custom target is a pathway benchmark. It is not a scenario.
How the engine turns intensity into tonnes
Base-year intensity is base-year emissions divided by base-year Q. A −42% intensity target means intensity is 58% of that base value.
Target-year tonnes equal base-year emissions times (Q in that year divided by base Q) times (1 plus the percent). The percent is negative for a decrease.
Between milestone years the engine interpolates absolute tonnes in a straight line. It does not compound an annual intensity rate.
If output Q grows, the same intensity decrease leaves more tonnes than an absolute decrease of the same percent. If output Q falls, intensity targets imply fewer tonnes than the matching absolute percent.
Example: output growth
Base year: 1000 tCO₂e and 100 units of output. Near-term year: intensity −42%. Move output growth. Compare tonnes under the intensity target with tonnes under a −42% absolute target.
Related: SBTi and Forward Looking Ambition, Pathway Solver, and pathways.