About
Science-based targets show companies and financial institutions how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi):
- Defines and promotes best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science.
- Develops standards, tools and guidance to enable companies and financial institutions to set science-based targets in line with the latest climate science.
- Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SBTi Services, assesses and validates companies’ and financial institutions’ targets.
Strategic Plan
On 21 May 2026, the SBTi published its new 2026–2030 strategic plan, representing a significant repositioning of the organization. The SBTi describes its shift from an "ambition setter" that encourages companies to adopt science-based targets to a "transformation partner" that helps them deliver on those pledges. The strategy introduces four major shifts: (i) moving from a generalized approach to more tailored approaches across sectors and geographics, (ii) expanding focus from target-setting to implementation with emphasis on data transparency, (iii) strengthening partnerships to reduce fragmentation in the ecosystem, and (iv) expanding geographic coverage in high-emitting regions, particularly in Asia and Africa. The strategy also clarifies that targets are set on a best-effort basis – companies that have set targets in good faith and used all available levers, but face a gap between performance and targets, should be transparent on progress and barriers. Ambition will be upheld through annual progress reporting, third-party assurance of five-year reviews, and performance criteria for setting new targets.
The SBTi was formed as a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In 2023 it was incorporated as a charity in the UK, with a legal Board of Trustees formed of climate leaders to oversee the organization’s governance. The SBTi also incorporated a subsidiary which provides target validation services in line with SBTi standards.
Corporate Net-Zero Standard version 2.0
The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0, published 11 June 2026, is, according to the SBTi, their most comprehensive framework for corporate climate action to date. The updated Standard recognizes that setting targets is the start and not the end of the net-zero journey, with a stronger focus on implementation. The updated standard introduces comprehensive updates across key areas, such as:
- Differentiate approaches across markets: Includes accommodations for small and medium-sized enterprises, and companies in lower-income countries.
- Set actional, context-specific targets: Companies set targets that reflect their opportunities to reduce emissions in different contexts and strengthens the link to transition planning.
- Act transparently on a best-efforts basis: Targets are pursued on a best-efforts basis, with transparency over key assumptions and dependencies. Companies are expected to use all available levers to reduce emissions and address any implementation barriers.
- Mobilize all available levers to deliver emissions reductions: The V2.0 introduces an implementation hierarchy that prioritizes actions.
- Continuously assess, disclose, and strengthen progress: A process of annual reporting and periodic assessment of progress, barriers to implementation, and actions to address these.
- Maintain ongoing emissions responsibility: Introducing a voluntary Ongoing Emissions Responsibility (OER) recognition program, opening up for the use of high quality carbon credits as a complement.
Bakground
The SBTi was formed as a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In 2023 it was incorporated as a charity in the UK, with a legal Board of Trustees formed of climate leaders to oversee the organization’s governance. The SBTi also incorporated a subsidiary which provides target validation services in line with SBTi standards.
Who does it impact?
Companies and financial institutions that have set greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets through SBTi standards.
Status: Launched
The SBTi was launched in 2015.
Relation to other initiatives and regulations
The principles and goals of the SBTi are aligned with the overarching objectives of EU initiatives such as The European Green Deal and Fit for 55, EU Climate Law, CSRD and the EU Taxonomy.
Participants
Worldwide, more than 11 000 companies now have validated science-based targets.
Thommessen's comments
The SBTi's best-known standard, the Corporate Net-Zero Standard, has undergone a major revision. On 11 June 2026, the new Corporate Net-Zero Standard version 2.0 was published, approximately 15 months after the first initial draft was published for public consultation. One of the key topics that has sparked heated debate with reference to the revision is the potential use of carbon credits as a way of tackling Scope 3 emissions, and SBTi was consulting on its approach for integrating carbon removals into the Standard. With the publication of the first and second draft standard, the SBTi underlined its unchanged position – that fast and deep value chain decarbonization must be front and center.
In the published version 2.0, the SBTi opens for the use of high-integrity carbon credits and other climate contributions as a complement and not a substitute to companies reducing their carbon footprint – it will not count towards the target process. The SBTi presents the voluntary Ongoing Emissions Responsibility (OER) recognition program, which can recognize companies for addressing emissions that persists during the transition. The OER recognition program will remain optional until 2035, after which large companies will be required to support eligible carbon removals. Making carbon removals a requirement for large companies post-2035 may contribute to higher demand for carbon dioxide removals (CDRs) and development of the voluntary carbon market.