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Science Based Targets Initiative Unveils Updated Corporate Net-Zero Standard to Drive Implementation
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) announced the release of Corporate Net‑Zero Standard Version 2.0 on 11 June 2026. The update adds a range of target‑setting options and a stronger focus on implementation, aiming to give companies a more flexible, practical framework for meeting science‑based net‑zero goals.
SBTi, a partnership of CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the We Mean Business coalition, has been the de‑facto verifier for corporate climate pledges worldwide. The original Corporate Net‑Zero Standard was introduced in 2021 and has guided more than 11,000 companies—including MAS Holdings, Elevate Textiles, Sapphire Mills and YKK—to set targets that align with a 1.5 °C pathway and a net‑zero horizon of 2050.
Version 2.0 expands the toolkit for companies at all stages of the net‑zero journey. It introduces several target‑setting options that preserve scientific rigor while allowing firms to tailor their approach to their specific business context. The standard places a new emphasis on implementation: setting a target is described as the first step, but the framework now requires companies to demonstrate progress, maintain transparency in reporting, and pursue continuous improvement. The update also recognises “best efforts” when direct decarbonisation is not feasible, encouraging firms to use all available tools to move toward their targets.
David Kennedy, SBTi’s chief executive, said the update was designed to meet a “critical moment for climate action.” He added that the standard “provides a framework to achieve this in practice across a wide range of contexts, through aligning climate science with actions that they can and should take to transform their businesses.” Dr Kornelis Blok, chair of SBTi’s independent technical council, noted that the new version “strengthens the link between target setting, implementation, and continuous improvement,” and that it offers a “robust framework to support more consistent and measurable progress toward net‑zero in line with science.” Francesco Starace, chair of the SBTi board of trustees, highlighted that the standard “reflects a decade of learning” and will help companies embed climate action into core strategy, manage transition risks, and strengthen long‑term competitiveness.
The development of Version 2.0 involved two rounds of public consultation, pilot testing, and feedback from expert working groups. The final standard was approved by SBTi’s independent technical council and board of trustees. The process was designed to ensure that the framework remains both scientifically sound and operationally useful for a broad spectrum of businesses.
The updated standard also introduces a voluntary recognition mechanism. Companies that meet the framework’s criteria can receive recognition for progress on both short‑term emissions reductions and longer‑term net‑zero commitments. The mechanism is intended to encourage participation and to provide a visible signal of a firm’s commitment to climate action.
By prioritising direct emissions reductions across operations and value chains, the new standard encourages firms to address the full scope of their greenhouse‑gas footprint. It also allows for adjustments in systems where direct decarbonisation is not yet possible, thereby offering a balanced approach that acknowledges external constraints while still demanding measurable progress.
SBTi’s updated standard arrives at a time when more than 90 % of global emissions are covered by net‑zero targets, yet only a small fraction of those targets are considered credible. The new framework aims to raise the bar for credibility by tightening implementation requirements and providing a clearer path to measurable outcomes.
At present, companies that have already committed to the SBTi framework can begin applying Version 2.0 to their target‑setting and reporting processes. The initiative has not announced a mandatory deadline for adoption, but the updated standard will become the reference point for future validation and certification. Companies that adopt the new framework will be better positioned to meet evolving regulatory expectations, satisfy investor demand for robust climate data, and strengthen their competitive stance in a market increasingly focused on sustainability.
In summary, SBTi’s Corporate Net‑Zero Standard Version 2.0 offers a more adaptable, implementation‑focused approach to science‑based climate targets. The update builds on a decade of experience, incorporates extensive stakeholder input, and introduces a recognition mechanism to incentivise progress. Companies now have a clearer, more flexible path to align their operations with the 1.5 °C pathway and a 2050 net‑zero goal, while regulators and investors will likely look to the new standard as a benchmark for credible corporate climate action.
SBTi, a partnership of CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the We Mean Business coalition, has been the de‑facto verifier for corporate climate pledges worldwide. The original Corporate Net‑Zero Standard was introduced in 2021 and has guided more than 11,000 companies—including MAS Holdings, Elevate Textiles, Sapphire Mills and YKK—to set targets that align with a 1.5 °C pathway and a net‑zero horizon of 2050.
Version 2.0 expands the toolkit for companies at all stages of the net‑zero journey. It introduces several target‑setting options that preserve scientific rigor while allowing firms to tailor their approach to their specific business context. The standard places a new emphasis on implementation: setting a target is described as the first step, but the framework now requires companies to demonstrate progress, maintain transparency in reporting, and pursue continuous improvement. The update also recognises “best efforts” when direct decarbonisation is not feasible, encouraging firms to use all available tools to move toward their targets.
David Kennedy, SBTi’s chief executive, said the update was designed to meet a “critical moment for climate action.” He added that the standard “provides a framework to achieve this in practice across a wide range of contexts, through aligning climate science with actions that they can and should take to transform their businesses.” Dr Kornelis Blok, chair of SBTi’s independent technical council, noted that the new version “strengthens the link between target setting, implementation, and continuous improvement,” and that it offers a “robust framework to support more consistent and measurable progress toward net‑zero in line with science.” Francesco Starace, chair of the SBTi board of trustees, highlighted that the standard “reflects a decade of learning” and will help companies embed climate action into core strategy, manage transition risks, and strengthen long‑term competitiveness.
The development of Version 2.0 involved two rounds of public consultation, pilot testing, and feedback from expert working groups. The final standard was approved by SBTi’s independent technical council and board of trustees. The process was designed to ensure that the framework remains both scientifically sound and operationally useful for a broad spectrum of businesses.
The updated standard also introduces a voluntary recognition mechanism. Companies that meet the framework’s criteria can receive recognition for progress on both short‑term emissions reductions and longer‑term net‑zero commitments. The mechanism is intended to encourage participation and to provide a visible signal of a firm’s commitment to climate action.
By prioritising direct emissions reductions across operations and value chains, the new standard encourages firms to address the full scope of their greenhouse‑gas footprint. It also allows for adjustments in systems where direct decarbonisation is not yet possible, thereby offering a balanced approach that acknowledges external constraints while still demanding measurable progress.
SBTi’s updated standard arrives at a time when more than 90 % of global emissions are covered by net‑zero targets, yet only a small fraction of those targets are considered credible. The new framework aims to raise the bar for credibility by tightening implementation requirements and providing a clearer path to measurable outcomes.
At present, companies that have already committed to the SBTi framework can begin applying Version 2.0 to their target‑setting and reporting processes. The initiative has not announced a mandatory deadline for adoption, but the updated standard will become the reference point for future validation and certification. Companies that adopt the new framework will be better positioned to meet evolving regulatory expectations, satisfy investor demand for robust climate data, and strengthen their competitive stance in a market increasingly focused on sustainability.
In summary, SBTi’s Corporate Net‑Zero Standard Version 2.0 offers a more adaptable, implementation‑focused approach to science‑based climate targets. The update builds on a decade of experience, incorporates extensive stakeholder input, and introduces a recognition mechanism to incentivise progress. Companies now have a clearer, more flexible path to align their operations with the 1.5 °C pathway and a 2050 net‑zero goal, while regulators and investors will likely look to the new standard as a benchmark for credible corporate climate action.
