The new Version 2.0 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Science Based Targets initiative: guiding companies not only in setting ambitious climate targets but also in their concrete implementation.
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, the transition to a low-carbon economy is entering a decisive phase. In recent years, an increasing number of governments, businesses, and investors have made increasingly ambitious climate commitments; at the same time, however, key indicators show that the window of opportunity to limit global warming is steadily narrowing.
The latest data confirm this challenge. The UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Emissions Gap Report 2025 highlights that, despite a slight improvement in the outlook thanks to new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the world remains off track regarding the Paris Agreement goals. Even assuming full implementation of the commitments currently on the table, global warming is projected to reach between 2.3°C and 2.5°C by the end of the century, whereas current policies put the trajectory at around 2.8°C.
The report further emphasizes that while these new commitments represent a step forward, they remain insufficient, and the challenge is shifting increasingly from announcing goals to actually implementing them. The urgency of action is underscored by the fact that 2024 was the first year in which the average global temperature exceeded pre-industrial levels by more than 1.5°C. Although this does not mean the Paris Agreement limit has been permanently breached—as the threshold refers to a long-term average—it serves as an unmistakable signal of the need to accelerate the transition.
In this context, the private sector has an increasingly important opportunity to contribute to achieving global climate goals. To do so, it is crucial that commitments translate into decarbonization strategies that are credible, measurable, and aligned with scientific requirements. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) was established precisely to support companies on this journey.
The Science Based Targets initiative: a global benchmark
Founded in 2015 by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the WWF, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is now the leading international standard for defining and validating corporate greenhouse gas emission reduction targets aligned with the trajectory outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Through shared methodological standards, operational tools, and an independent validation process, the SBTi helps companies translate global climate goals into credible decarbonization strategies, fostering transparency, comparability, and trust among investors, customers, and other stakeholders.
Science-Based Targets: transforming science into strategy
Science-Based Targets (SBTs) are emission reduction targets grounded in the best available scientific evidence. Unlike traditional environmental targets, they define the level of emission reduction required for each company to contribute—in a manner consistent with its specific emissions profile—to achieving global climate goals.
Over the years, Science-Based Targets have become a benchmark for companies, investors, and stakeholders seeking credible, verifiable climate goals. Increasingly, they also serve as a tool to strengthen transition strategies, climate risk management, and market engagement.
From pioneering initiative to global movement
In just over a decade, the Science Based Targets initiative has evolved from a pioneering project into a global reference point for corporate climate governance. Globally, 13,895 companies participate in the initiative; of these, 2,693 have validated targets for the complete decarbonization (Net-Zero) of their operations.
Commitment is growing in Italy as well. Within the Italian context, 378 companies have declared a concrete commitment to decarbonize their operations through their collaboration with the Science Based Targets initiative, while 60 have validated "Net-Zero" targets. These figures demonstrate how setting science-based climate targets has become an integral part of the strategies of a growing number of organizations across a wide range of sectors and sizes
Why a new version of the standard?
While the first decade of the Science Based Targets initiative was defined by the widespread adoption of Science-Based Targets, a new phase is now beginning. Thousands of companies have already set climate targets, and there is growing focus on their implementation, progress monitoring, and the credibility of transition pathway
It is against this backdrop that the new Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0—published in June 2026—has been introduced. More than just a methodological update, this new version represents the evolution of a standard that reflects the increasing maturity of corporate climate strategies, offering companies even more effective tools to plan, monitor, and strengthen their journey toward net zero.
The standard reaffirms a fundamental principle—the priority of direct emission reductions—and introduces key innovations, including:
- a more proportionate approach, with requirements tailored to the size and characteristics of the companies;
- a greater focus on the implementation of transition plans and actual progress achieved;
- more advanced tools to address Scope 3 emissions and foster value chain engagement;
- Tighter integration between target setting, performance monitoring, and periodic target review;
- more detailed guidance on managing residual emissions and utilizing carbon removal activities, which are considered complementary to—rather than a substitute for—direct emission reductions.
Version 2.0 thus represents a significant evolution in the SBTi’s approach: the focus is shifting increasingly from target setting to the ability to translate targets into concrete, measurable results.
A new phase for climate governance
The evolution of the standard reflects a broader shift in how companies address climate change. Decarbonization is no longer merely a matter of environmental reporting; it has become a strategic lever involving governance, finance, innovation, supply chain management, and competitiveness.
Against this backdrop, the Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0 offers organizations a framework for integrating climate goals into decision-making processes and strengthening the credibility of their transition pathways.
It is within this context that the UN Global Compact—a founding partner of the Science Based Targets initiative—plays a key role in fostering collective action to guide companies toward development models that are resilient, competitive, and aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda.
Ten years after the launch of the Science Based Targets initiative, the challenge is no longer merely to foster the adoption of science-aligned climate targets. The new challenge lies in guiding an increasing number of companies to transform those goals into concrete, measurable, and lasting results. This is the context for the new Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0: a tool designed to support the quality and credibility of the private sector's climate transition.
Take a closer look at the new standard
What are the key updates introduced by the Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0? What implications will it have for businesses? How can companies prepare to implement the new methodological framework?
These topics will be the focus of a webinar organized by the UN Global Compact Network Italy—an opportunity to delve into the details of the new standard and discuss perspectives on corporate climate governance.
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM