What’s new: minor updates to enhance usability across SBTi target-setting resources
Sept 15th 2025
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has released a set of minor updates to two of its target-setting resources to enhance clarity and improve usability. In this blog, Emma Watson, the SBTi’s Head of Corporate Standards, provides an overview of the key changes and what they mean for companies.
To improve clarity and usability, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is releasing minor updates to its Corporate Net-Zero Standard. These changes are also reflected in the Corporate Near-Term Criteria to ensure consistency across target-setting resources.
The updates are non-substantive. This means they do not significantly change how companies set targets, nor do they alter the ambition level or intent of the Standard. Instead, these minor revisions aim to improve alignment with related frameworks such as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, clarify eligible target years and help prevent companies from being misclassified.
These updates have been developed and approved in adherence with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Development of SBTi Standards. The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3 and Corporate Near-Term Criteria V5.3 will take effect immediately on September 15, 2025.
The table below summarizes the key updates included in this release:
Overview of minor revisions
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Version
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NZ C11 and NT C10 – Biogenic accounting
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NZ C17 and NT C13 – Target year(s)
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NZ C23 and NT C19 – Supplier or customer engagement targets
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NZ C37 and NT C22 – Sale, transmission, distribution of oil, natural gas, coal as well as other fossil fuels
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NZ R6 – 2030 target year
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Table 4 – Eligible buildings target-setting methods
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The SBTi has also published a Main Changes Document that outlines the minor revisions, the rationale behind the update and the location of each change in the relevant documents.
Since these are minor updates, companies are not required to resubmit or adjust existing targets. The updates are effective immediately. Companies should refer to the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3 and Corporate Near-Term Criteria V5.3 to ensure they are referencing the latest version.
These revisions do not have an impact on the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2 development process or timeline.
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