Dr Luiz Amaral has stepped down from his role as CEO of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Susan Jenny Ehr, the Chief Legal Officer, will step in as interim CEO and the recruitment process for a permanent CEO has started. The decision will take effect at the end of July.
Citing personal reasons Amaral said, “These issues require my full attention at this time, prompting my decision to step down”.
Amaral’s resignation comes amid criticism over SBTi’s stance on allowing companies to offset carbon emissions. SBTi leadership team faced criticism from its staff and a group of climate experts after the board of trustees announced a plan to allow companies to offset greenhouse gas emissions from their supply chain with carbon credits earlier this year.
Amral said that since he was appointed CEO the number of companies with validated targets has risen more than five-fold to over 5,500 companies, with another 200 formally committed to the process and the SBTi’s work has gone global with major growth outside Europe and North America – especially in Asia.
Amaral said, “Now it is time for new leadership to take the helm and guide the organisation into this promising new phase that can deliver even more impact worldwide.”