SBTi Reaches 10,000 Companies with Validated Science-Based Targets

The Science Based Targets initiative has reached a milestone of 10,000 companies globally with validated science-based targets, collectively representing more than 40% of global market capitalisation. The total includes companies headquartered across more than 90 countries and spanning nearly every major sector, with the milestone achieved in January 2026 following the validation of more than 2,800 new companies during 2025.

The 10,000 companies include some of the world's most recognisable names across sectors, including Arsenal Football Club, Danone, ING, Lenovo, McLaren Racing and Ørsted. Japan now has the highest number of validated companies globally — over 2,000 — followed by the United Kingdom, the United States and China. The SBTi validated its first company in 2015, reached its 1,000th in 2021, and has now surpassed 10,000 in the first month of 2026, reflecting accelerating adoption. While European-headquartered companies still comprise a substantial share, Asia has driven the bulk of recent growth.

The milestone reflects the strengthening business case for science-based target-setting as a risk management and competitive strategy tool, beyond purely environmental motivation. Companies with validated targets argue that the framework provides credibility with investors, customers and regulators, and helps align internal decision-making around the net-zero transition. For India, growth in neighbouring Asian markets and among global supply chain partners creates increasing pressure on Indian companies to adopt validated targets or face exclusion from procurement programmes and international value chains.

The SBTi CEO David Kennedy framed the milestone as evidence of growing business recognition that science-based targets provide strategic, reputational and financial benefits. Validated companies must set targets using SBTi-approved criteria and have them confirmed as aligned with pathways to net-zero by 2050. As of early 2026, the SBTi works with the validated companies in parallel with the imminent release of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0, which is designed to deepen implementation support and make credible climate action more accessible to companies at all stages of the transition.

Key figure — 10,000 companies with validated targets, representing 40%+ of global market capitalisation