SBTi unveils second draft of Corporate Net Zero Standard update

The Science Based Targets Initiative has opened a consultation on the second draft of its updated Corporate Net Zero Standard.

The draft was adjusted based on feedback from the first public consultation and expert working groups, which took place earlier this year. The updates are meant to reinforce scientific integrity while improving clarity, actionability, and usability.

They include: an expectation for companies to align near-term actions in their operations and value-chains with long-term net zero goals and publish transition plans explaining how they plan to achieve this; separate target requirements for Scope 1 and Scope 2; a new recognition mechanism to incentivise companies that take early, voluntary action to address the emissions impact; and clear expectations on how progress against targets should be measured and disclosed.

More flexibility to prioritise high-impact action

In addition, the revised draft aims to better reflect the various levers companies have in different contexts and sectors by giving them flexibility to prioritise their most impactful emissions sources – and reduce them “directly and indirectly”.  

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 finalised Corporate Net-Zero Standard is practical, credible and robust—helping businesses worldwide accelerate the net-zero transition.”

One-month consultation open

These updates aim to create a simpler, more streamlined structure and innovative approach to make net-zero target setting easier to understand, apply, and scale across sectors and regions, while maintaining alignment with global climate goals. 

Companies and other stakeholders are now invited to share their feedback on the new draft by December 8. They can explore the new draft here and respond to the consultation survey.

“Businesses are driving global decarbonisation, 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," added David Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer at the Science Based Targets initiative.

Read also: SBTi Corporate Net Zero Standard 2.0 - granularity, Scope 3 flexibility and climate target monitoring