The SBTI said Dr Amaral was standing down “for personal reasons” and has named current chief legal officer Susan Jenny Ehr as interim CEO.

Dr Amaral said of the personal issues leading to his resignation: “These issues require my full attention at this time, prompting my decision to step down.”

The change will come into effect at the end of July 2024, with Dr Amaral expected to help with the changeover as recruitment for his successor begins.

The development comes months after SBTI announced plans to allow companies to use carbon credits to offset emissions from their supply chains, or Scope 3.

The plans have previously been criticised by retailer H&M Group, climate charity WWE and some members of SBTI’s own staff.

In a statement, Dr Amaral said: “My time as CEO has been incredibly rewarding, and I remain steadfast in my belief in the importance, the impact, and the promising future of the SBTi. When I was appointed as SBTi’s first CEO, my objective was to transform the initiative from an informal group into a structured and professional organisation that can drive exponential growth in corporate target setting on a global scale. Since then we have incorporated SBTi as an independent organization and established transparent governance structures and processes.”

Writing on LinkedIn, Dr Amaral added that he was would “pass the torch on with immense pride in all that has been accomplished and an optimism for the future”.

SBTI previously told Just Style that the current Corporate Net-Zero Standard has not changed and cannot or will not change until its Standard Operating Procedure for the revision of the standard had been completed.

The SBTI says it will publish its drafted standards “by the end of 2024”. The organisation has called for “all stakeholders, duty bearers and interested parties” to respond to its consultation on the topic.