Lorène, there is currently a lot of discussion around the SBTi's new NetZero standard. What is behind it?
Lorène Schibler: With its standards, tools and guidelines, the SBTi supports companies worldwide in setting science-based climate targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The overarching goal remains unchanged: to limit global warming and achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest. In November 2025, the draft NetZero Standard Version 2 was presented and commented on by more than 900 stakeholders as part of the public consultation.
Overall, the new framework represents significant progress, in particular through greater accuracy, improved target renewal and clearer management of residual emissions.
When is the new standard expected to become binding?
After the public consultation and the planned pilot phase, the SBTi will assess the feedback received and the findings of its expert panels. Following internal review and approval, the standard is expected to be published by the end of 2026, with some observers already predicting Q2. The standard should become binding from January 2028.
What has changed in terms of content?
Instead of remaining largely conceptual, the new draft translates key elements into a clearly structured and verifiable rulebook. Five technical annexes provide greater specificity on, among other aspects, reporting, calculation methodologies, and disclosure requirements. Overall, requirements become more measurable and more strongly operationalised.
Regular progress reporting, interim targets, and performance-based adjustments will form a central mechanism for dynamically managing and transparently documenting target pathways.
How are the requirements for Scope 1, 2 and 3 changing?
Scope 1: A separate Scope 1 target will become mandatory and four new methods will be available - from absolute linear reduction to approaches for the decarbonisation of assets.
Scope 2: The focus shifts more towards the actual procurement of low-carbon electricity. Market-based instruments remain permitted, but must fulfil strict criteria, particularly with regard to the time and place of generation.
Scope 3: Instead of a single overall target, all relevant categories will be considered individually in future. Companies must set their own targets for categories that account for more than five per cent of emissions. Areas that cannot be influenced - e.g. employee commuting - can be excluded.
How should I involve my suppliers?
The new standard uses alignment targets to require that key raw materials and central activities along the value chain are aligned with sectoral net zero benchmarks. This means that suppliers must achieve specific emission intensities and provide evidence of their own net zero targets.
Another new feature is the option of using Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) if transparency in the supply chain is limited. These certificates also allow climate protection measures for Scope 3 emissions where it is difficult to exert direct influence.
And what role will emissions certificates play in future?
The SBTi replaces the term «Beyond Value Chain Mitigation» with «Ongoing Emissions Responsibility (OER)». This encourages companies to transparently address the emissions remaining each year.
Although taking responsibility remains mostly voluntary until 2035, the new standard requires more transparency: companies must state whether they are taking responsibility for emissions and report annually on methods, CO₂ price assumptions and the type and amount of emission certificates used.
There are two levels of recognition:
Important: Certificates from reduction projects remain ineligible to fulfil net zero targets. This is not a change, but a confirmation of a long-standing SBTi line.
What advice do you have for companies with existing SBTi targets?
They must continue to apply the version that was valid at the time of their submission (version 1.3). Short-term targets are expected to remain valid until the end of their target period. The SBTi will publish transition guidance in due course to help companies move to the new standard. This guidance will clarify how existing commitments, short-term objectives and reporting requirements will be treated during the transition period.
And what applies to companies that want to join?
Version 1.3 continues to be a reliable framework for science-based targets until the end of 2027. Those who do not yet have targets should set them now - they will form a stable basis for the transition to version 2. Version 2 will become mandatory from 2028.
How should companies prepare now?
Companies should not wait and see. If they are ready to submit their targets - or plan to do so in the near future based on the current standard (Corporate NetZero Standard V1.3 and NearTerm Criteria V5.3) - it is recommended that they continue to do so.
Version 2 of the Corporate NetZero Standard is currently only available as a draft. Framework conditions and requirements may still change significantly, as has been the case since the first draft version.
By developing and publishing a transition plan at an early stage and focussing clearly on the main sources of emissions, companies can ensure that they are optimally prepared for the next revision phase of the standard.
