What Comes Next as SBTi Passes 10,000 Business Sign-Ups?

More than 10,000 organisations have now either set science-based targets or made commitments to do so under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
From the world’s very biggest, like Walmart, Apple and UnitedHealth Group, to smaller companies, the SBTi aims to support companies with a clearly defined path to reduce emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
This milestone comes from 7,135 companies making science-based targets and a further 3,695 making commitments to do so.
“Near the end of 2023, we celebrated reaching 4,000 companies,” says Susan Jenny Ehr, Interim CEO at the SBTi, on its validated targets milestone.
“To have that number grow by 3,000 in little over a year is testament to both the urgency of the crisis and the leadership being shown across industries worldwide.
“More and more businesses are recognising that climate action isn’t just necessary—it is essential for long-term success.”
About the SBTi
Established in 2015, the SBTi is a collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The SBTi considers targets science-based if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
It developed and launched the first net zero standard in 2021 and offers specialised advice on climate goals for different industries.
This aims to provide a single vision and understanding of the meaning of net zero, as it is possible to interpret the term in different ways.
The organisation is run by Interim CEO Susan Jenny Ehr who is set to be replaced by CEO David Kennedy in Q2 of 2025.
Susan says: “I believe that with each new company stepping up, we are moving closer to a world where business growth and environmental sustainability are aligned. I am confident that under incoming CEO, David Kennedy, the SBTi will be in a strong position to drive even greater impact.”
Validated targets vs commitments made
To get targets validated by the SBTi, businesses must submit them to the organisation
Targets must be re-validated every five years.
Businesses looking to receive SBTi validation can submit near-term or net zero targets in line with the organisation’s published standards.
The Corporate Net Zero Standard is undergoing “major revision” after controversy over carbon offsets and Scope 3 emissions in 2024.
SMEs, defined by the SBTi as non-subsidiary, independent companies which employ fewer than 500 employees, are not required to set near-term targets for Scope 3 emissions reductions.
When a company makes a commitment to the SBTi process, it must submit targets for validation within 24 months.
In January 2025, the SBTi’s list of ‘Companies Taking Action’ shows that 580 companies have removed their commitments to short-term, net zero or both targets.
Targets were also removed under its Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign where companies failed to submit targets for validation in time.
Of the 1,045 businesses that joined the campaign between June 2019 and October 2021, 971 were included in its 2024 report.
The reasons individual businesses failed to meet the deadline vary, but many experts cited the complexity of addressing Scope 3 emissions or the Net Zero Standard being unavailable due to the SBTi’s revision process.
Explore the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand