SBTi Releases Updated Automotive Sector Net Zero Standard Draft for Consultation

The Science Based Targets initiative has published an updated draft of its Automotive Sector Net-Zero Standard, refining guidelines for automakers and auto parts manufacturers to set science-aligned net zero targets, with a particular focus on Scope 3 use-of-sold-products emissions. A public consultation on the updated draft is open until 22 March 2026.

The automotive sector accounts for more than 20% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, with vehicle use-phase emissions representing an average of 70 to 80% of an automaker's total footprint. The updated draft introduces optionality for automakers to set targets using either Scope 3 category 11 use-of-sold-products emissions or a zero-emission vehicle sales-share metric, responding to stakeholder feedback on the initial June 2025 draft. The new draft also redefines low-emission vehicles from the prior draft as zero-emission vehicles.

The updated standard moves to a clearer focus on Scope 3 category 11 emissions compared to the initial draft, addressing feedback from sector stakeholders consulted after the first publication. New criteria for auto parts manufacturers focus on reducing emissions from material sourcing and manufacturing, and on disclosing the share of parts sold for low-emission vehicles. The SBTi said the standard will help companies demonstrate climate leadership, drive innovation, and strengthen investor and consumer confidence.

The SBTi's Head of Sector Standards said decarbonising road transport is vital to meeting global net zero goals, and that the standard is designed to accommodate the operational contexts of different companies across the sector. The release of the automotive standard draft follows the SBTi's announcement in January that validated companies exceeded 10,000. The standard is intended to replace parts of the SBTi's current Land Transport Guidance, and the final version will cover both automakers and the broader auto parts manufacturing supply chain.

Key figure — 70-80% use-phase emissions share