SBTi Releases Non-Substantive Usability Updates to Corporate Net-Zero Standard

The Science Based Targets initiative has published minor revisions to its Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3 and Corporate Near-Term Criteria V5.3, effective September 15, 2025, with the changes intended to improve alignment with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, clarify eligible target years, and prevent company misclassification. The updates are non-substantive and do not require companies with existing validated targets to resubmit or adjust their commitments.

The revisions were developed and approved in accordance with the SBTi's Standard Operating Procedure for the Development of SBTi Standards. Both documents — the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3 and the Corporate Near-Term Criteria V5.3 — took effect simultaneously on September 15, 2025. A Main Changes Document published alongside the updates outlines each revision, the rationale behind it, and the specific location within the relevant standard documents where the change appears. Companies are directed to reference the updated versions for all target setting going forward.

The SBTi characterised the changes as minor improvements to usability rather than changes to the ambition level, intent, or fundamental requirements of either standard. The key areas addressed include improved alignment language with GHG Protocol accounting conventions, clarification of which target years are eligible under the standards, and technical adjustments to criteria used to classify companies — an area where misclassification had created practical issues for some organisations during the validation process.

These updates have no impact on the Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2 development process or its anticipated timeline. For Indian companies in the process of preparing or finalising science-based targets, the updates mean existing guidance documents should be replaced with the current V1.3 and V5.3 versions. The SBTi recommended that companies working with consultants or internal sustainability teams cross-check their target-setting methodologies against the latest versions to ensure they are not relying on superseded criteria or terminology.

Key figure — September 15, 2025 — effective date for Corporate Net-Zero Standard V1.3 and Near-Term Criteria V5.3