The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), one of the key organizations focused on aligning corporate environmental sustainability action with the global goals of limiting climate change, announced today the launch of its new five-year strategy, marking a significant expansion in focus for the organization from target-setting and validation to supporting companies in the implementation of their climate goals.

Key elements of the SBTi’s new 2026 – 2030 strategy include moving towards a more tailored target-setting approaches with a focus on what companies can influence, a new “pivot  toward implementation,” addressing fragmentation in the climate standards ecosystem, and expanding its coverage in high-emitting sectors and regions.

The SBTi was founded in 2015 with the goal to establish science-based environmental target setting as a standard corporate practice. The organizations’ key functions include defining and promoting best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science, providing technical assistance to companies who set science-based targets, and providing companies with independent assessment and validation of their emissions reduction targets. The organization published its  flagship cross-sector Corporate Net-Zero Standard in 2021, and is currently in the process of developing an update to the standard, Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.

The SBTi appointed former UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) Chief Executive David Kennedy as its new CEO last year, and the organization recently announced that the number of companies with validated science-based climate targets has increased to more than 10,000.

Kennedy said:

“Today, more than 13,000 companies have set or committed to setting science-based targets, and this approach is now widely recognised as the global benchmark for credible corporate climate action. Our new strategy builds on that foundation—evolving SBTi’s role to become a partner to companies in delivering their targets in practice. In a world where transition risk is becoming a core business consideration, that shift will be essential in delivering meaningful climate impact.”

According to the SBTi, the launch of the new strategy follows feedback from companies indicating demand for more actionable guidance to translate climate ambition into action, as well as clearer pathways and better data. The organization outlined four “major shifts” in its new strategy, including a focus on “action-focused standards,” implementation, addressing fragmentation, and expanding coverage.

In its standard-setting activities, SBTi said that it will move from its current generalized approach to more tailored standards aimed at enabling companies to adopt approaches aligned to their sectors, geographies and operating contexts.

To increase its focus on implementation, SBTi said that its services will emphasize data transparency and system-level assessment of progress and challenges, enabling companies to assess how they compare with peers, and where to focus action.

In its efforts to address fragmentation, the new strategy includes an emphasis on strengthening partnerships with other organizations and standard-setters to reduce fragmentation, duplication, and burden for companies.

The new strategy also includes a focus on expanding the SBTi’s coverage to maximize impact by growing its network in high-emitting sectors and regions.

Kennedy added:

“This strategy marks a shift toward a more action-focused SBTi. We are evolving our standards to better reflect sector and geographic realities, expanding data and insights to help companies benchmark progress and identify barriers, and strengthening partnerships to create a more coherent system. Alongside this, we are deepening our presence in high-emitting sectors and regions—focusing our efforts where they can have the greatest impact.”