The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has released a second draft of its revised Corporate Net-Zero Standard for public consultation. Informed by feedback from the first public consultation and expert working groups, the updated draft reinforces scientific integrity while improving clarity, actionability, and usability—helping businesses translate science-based ambition into credible action.
The draft Standard aims to accelerate corporate decarbonization by:
- Making science-based climate action more accessible and actionable to empower more companies to set and implement ambitious targets and deliver measurable progress.
- Bringing forward a stronger, more inclusive framework, with enhanced differentiation reflecting the operational realities of different sectors and geographies.
- Providing a focused and flexible framework to address both operational and value chain emissions.
- Providing an end-to-end cycle that incentivises ambition and recognizes progress achieved at the end of the target cycle.
- Introducing a new recognition mechanism to incentivize companies taking early, voluntary action to address the impact of their ongoing emissions.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has today released an updated draft of its revised Corporate Net-Zero Standard for a second public consultation.
As the SBTi’s flagship framework designed to accelerate ambitious and credible corporate climate action, the Standard already provides businesses worldwide with the science-based tools they need to successfully manage net-zero transition risks and opportunities, to remain competitive in an increasingly carbon-constrained world.
Introducing a simpler, more streamlined structure and innovative approach, the proposed Standard draft aims to make net-zero target setting easier to understand, apply, and scale across sectors and regions, while maintaining alignment with global climate goals. Key elements of proposed revision include:
Net-zero as the north star, with emphasis on urgent action
Validated companies are expected to align near-term actions in their operations and value-chains with long-term climate objectives, and publish transition plans setting out their roadmap to achieve this.
Scope-specific target approach to enhance integrity and actionability
A tailored target-setting approach for each scope—including maintaining separate requirements for scope 1 and 2 targets—to reflect their unique challenges and decarbonization levers.
Science-based options to reflect different corporate contexts
The revised draft introduces a range of options that better reflect the various levers companies have in different contexts, allowing them to prioritize the emissions sources where they can drive the greatest change. These options include actions to reduce emissions directly and indirectly.
Recognition for companies taking responsibility for ongoing emissions
While the focus remains on direct decarbonization, the updated draft introduces a new recognition mechanism to incentivize companies that take early, voluntary action to address the impact of their ongoing emissions.
Transparency as a lever for impact
The revised Standard sets clear expectations on how progress against targets should be measured and disclosed, driving continuous improvement and accountability to help companies remain aligned with their net-zero ambition.
The public consultation will run from November 6 – December 8. Feedback and consultation are critical to the development of a Standard that is scientifically robust, credible, and workable for businesses—helping accelerate climate action in line with global net-zero goals. The SBTi encourages anyone with expertise or interest in corporate climate action to contribute to the public consultation and help shape its future.
David Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer at the Science Based Targets initiative, said:
“Businesses are driving global decarbonization, and will be key to achieving our climate objectives. Taking science-based action both reduces emissions and manages transition risks, maintaining competitiveness and offering growth opportunities in a carbon-constrained world. By contributing to our public consultation stakeholders can help shape the future of corporate climate action and ensure the Standard helps companies to turn ambition into action, and action into impact.”
Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Chief Technical Officer at the Science-Based Targets initiative, said:
“With the publication of this updated draft we are taking a further step forward in making science-based climate action more inclusive, actionable, and adaptable for businesses everywhere. Already reflecting the feedback of hundreds of businesses and experts gathered in the first consultation, further input on this draft is crucial to ensuring that the finalized Corporate Net-Zero Standard is practical, credible and robust—helping businesses worldwide accelerate the net-zero transition.”