SBTi Invites Automakers to Pilot Draft Automotive Sector Net-Zero Standard

The Science Based Targets initiative is inviting automakers and auto parts manufacturers to pilot test its draft Automotive Sector Net-Zero Standard, offering companies an opportunity to shape the framework's final form. Applications for the pilot were due by 12 September 2025, with a second public consultation expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

SBTi is conducting pilot testing on its draft Automotive Sector Net-Zero Standard following an initial public consultation earlier in 2025. The standard provides a comprehensive framework for automakers and auto parts manufacturers to set greenhouse gas reduction targets across scopes 1, 2, and 3, consistent with achieving net-zero by 2050. It builds on the SBTi's Land Transport Guidance and aligns with the draft Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2. Pilot participants will use real-world data to identify implementation challenges and validate methodological assumptions.

The automotive sector is responsible for over 20 percent of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions and faces mounting exposure to climate-related risks, from supply chain disruptions to heightened investor scrutiny. For Indian automotive manufacturers—several of whom are significant players in global supply chains—a science-based target framework aligned with net-zero standards could strengthen both competitiveness and access to capital from sustainability-focused investors. The pilot is open to companies of all sizes and business models across the automotive value chain.

Participating companies will gain advance access to SBTi's latest methodologies and tools, enabling them to build capacity ahead of the final standard's release. The pilot test is a critical step in ensuring the standard is practical and scientifically robust before it is published. A second public consultation is expected in Q4 2025, with the updated draft reflecting findings from both the pilot and ongoing stakeholder engagement. Further details are available in the SBTi Automotive Pilot Test Terms of Reference.

Key figure — Over 20% of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions from the automotive sector