The new Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0

The SBTi’s new flagship Standard has arrived, marking the next phase of the net-zero transition—from ambition to real-world implementation. Explore the updated Standard and register your interest to learn more about the Corporate Net-Zero Standard.

Overview

The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 is the SBTi’s most comprehensive framework for corporate climate action to date, with an expanded toolkit for setting and implementing targets. It makes credible, science-based climate action practical, accessible, and relevant for companies at every stage of the net-zero journey.

Ready to dive in? Check out three key resources:

What’s new in Version 2.0 (key elements)

The updated Standard introduces comprehensive updates across six key areas—strengthening alignment with the latest climate science and evolving best practice:

Differentiated approaches across markets: The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 includes accommodations for small and medium-sized enterprises, and companies in lower-income countries.
Set actionable, context-specific targets: Companies set targets that reflect their opportunities to reduce emissions in different contexts, including capital stock, supply/ value chains, sectors, and geographies. It also strengthens the link to transition planning. Companies set two or more near-term targets and can choose to set an overarching net-zero target.
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, address any implementation barriers and transparently report on them.
Mobilize all available levers to deliver emissions reductions: The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 introduces an implementation hierarchy that prioritizes actions, from those directly reducing emissions in company operations and value chains to broader activity pool and sector-level actions where appropriate. These may be supported by market instruments such as energy attributes and commodity certificates based on different chain-of-custody models (e.g., mass balance, book-and-claim), subject to guardrails.
Continuously assess, disclose, and strengthen progress: A process of annual reporting and periodic assessment of progress, barriers to implementation, and actions to address these; and for setting new targets before or at the end of a cycle – including where there are gaps between emissions and targets – to ensure ongoing alignment with netzero pathways. Through this continuous improvement process, companies can continue progressing within the SBTi framework toward net-zero.
Maintain ongoing emissions responsibility: The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 takes a balanced approach to the use of high-integrity carbon credits and other climate contributions as a complement and not a substitute to companies reducing their carbon footprint, through a voluntary recognition program.

“Natura's experience in the Corporate Net-Zero Standard 2.0 pilot program reinforces our conviction that the evolution of this standard is fundamental to the success of global climate goals. We support this new milestone as it becomes more connected to current challenges and corporate reality, ensuring that the transition to net zero is as ambitious as it is pragmatic and aligned with the urgency of our time.”
João Teixeria, Climate and Nature Manager, Natura

Who can set targets using Version 2.0

Version 2.0 is relevant for:

Companies preparing to renew existing targets in 2027
Companies planning target submissions from Q1 2027
Companies seeking to understand future requirements

Companies planning to set, update, or renew targets in 2026 are strongly encouraged to prepare them for submission at the earliest opportunity using the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3.1—the most credible and robust framework for net-zero target setting available.

Companies setting or renewing targets using the current Standard will be able to take advantage of the flexibilities of the current requirements, such as combined scope 1 and 2 targets, and at the same time benefit from many of the innovations introduced in Version 2.0. Learn more here.

Companies will be able to submit targets to SBTi Services using either Version 1.3.1 or Version 2.0 from Q1 2027 until January 31, 2028—after which, Version 2.0 will become mandatory for all target submissions.

Benefits of setting targets

Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is an immediate and material driver of physical and economic risk. Taking action now can help mitigate those risks by building resilience into operations and supply chains.

Our Impact of Setting Science-Based Targets on Businesses report shows that target setting delivers competitive advantage—not just climate impact. Of the surveyed companies:

91% reported that science-based targets have had an overall positive impact on their organizations
95% noticed a positive impact on reputation
80% said target setting strengthened investor perception and relations
80% noted improved strategic cohesion and long-term vision
72% noted a positive impact on resilience to future regulatory changes

These benefits are in addition to positive impacts on the overall pace of decarbonization—which 86% of companies reported.

How to set targets using Version 2.0

Companies can start preparing targets for submissions under Version 2.0 immediately. The SBTi Services Validation Portal is expected to open for Version 2.0 target submission in Q1 2027. While much of what companies need to set targets is already available in the Standard, further guidance will be provided.

To set science-based targets, companies should follow the SBTi’s established process. The SBTi's wholly-owned subsidiary, SBTi Services, checks and validates targets submitted by corporates, financial institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Ready to get started? Visit the SBTi Services website.

For companies with existing targets

If you are one of the more than 11,000 companies that has already set science-based targets, you can begin benefiting from innovations introduced as part of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0 today.

To support companies during the intervening period between having targets set and starting to use Version 2.0, the SBTi has published a suite of resources:

Guide for Companies in the Transition to Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0: Outlines key operational dates, and explains the differences between previous versions of the Standard and Version 2.0.
Continuing use of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3.1 and Transition to Version 2.0: Highlights the Version 2.0 features that companies with targets under the current Standard will be able to leverage, before fully adopting Version 2.0.
Preliminary Minimum Evidence Required for Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0: Sets out the documentation and data companies will need to provide when submitting targets under Version 2.0.

Companies updating or renewing targets in 2026 or 2027 will also be able to take advantage of the flexibilities of the current requirements, such as combined scope 1 and 2 targets, and at the same time benefit from many of the innovations introduced in Version 2.0. Learn more here.

How the SBTi and the GHG Protocol are collaborating to spur net-zero climate action

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) provide the world’s leading standards for target setting and emissions accounting, respectively. GHG Protocol's Standards form the foundation of voluntary and, increasingly, mandatory climate disclosures globally - used by 97% of S&P 500 companies reporting to CDP - while more than 11,000 companies worldwide have set science-based targets through the SBTi.

As the SBTi publishes its flagship Corporate Net Zero Standard Version 2.0, the SBTi and GHG Protocol reinforce our commitment to collaboration and interoperability, building on our years of working together, including as part of each other's committees and working groups.

This is an important juncture for corporate climate action, as the focus shifts from ambition to implementation. The Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0 incorporates elements of the GHG Protocol's standards and updates which are currently under revision. These include emerging topics such as scope 2 updates and a multi-statement GHG reporting structure developed in the GHG Protocol Actions and Market Instruments workstream; the latter separates reporting of the conventional GHG inventory (physical inventory) from additional statements for project-based interventions and market instruments, supplemented with the SBTi’s implementation hierarchy. The SBTi intends to provide provisional guidance to help companies through the GHG accounting and reporting process while GHGP's revision process is ongoing. Companies may use the provisional guidance throughout the entire target cycle to ensure consistency between base year and target-year inventories.

The Corporate Net Zero Standard Version 2.0 includes a scope 2 approach which strengthens transparency around hourly matching and recognizes early adopters of this. The SBTi will launch a call for evidence to better understand opportunities and challenges of hourly matching, and the GHG Protocol is reviewing consultation feedback received on its scope 2 draft updates for public consultation. The two organizations will continue to work closely on this important issue.

Throughout the revision process the SBTi and GHG Protocol will continue to collaborate and promote interoperability. This includes providing clarity on accounting and reporting from the GHG Protocol perspective and the credible use of actions and market instruments throughout the net-zero journey of companies from an SBTi perspective. We encourage companies looking to set or renew targets to act now, confident in the continued collaboration between GHG Protocol and the SBTi.

Tim Mohin, CEO, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, and David Kennedy, CEO, SBTi

Resources

Target setting resources

Key background resources

The full list of background resources is available on the Standard development page.

About the revision process

Version 2.0 of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard was developed through the Standard Operating Procedure for Development of SBTi Standards. The revision process included two public consultations, pilot testing, review and approval by the Technical Council and formal adoption by the Board of Trustees.

Learn more about the Corporate Net-Zero Standard development process here.

Perspectives from across the climate ecosystem

Explore reactions and perspectives from organizations, experts and stakeholders across the climate ecosystem on the launch of Version 2.0.

Read stakeholder perspectives.

“The Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2 leads organizations to transition to a low-carbon economy, ensuring that sustainability is not just a policy, but a competitive business advantage.”
Dr. Jeeranee Janrungauta, Global Net-Zero & Climate Change Lead, Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC