A potential step forward – but only if key issues are addressed

The NewClimate Institute assesses the draft SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard (CNZS) v2.0, noting improvements in target boundaries and scope 2 emissions requirements while calling for stricter rules on indirect mitigation, more frequent validation renewals, and the inclusion of activity-level alignment targets.

• The draft CNZS v2.0 improves target boundaries by allowing companies to identify their own relevant scope 3 emission sources, which increases transparency and coverage of emissions.
• While the draft requires scope 2 targets based on location-based emissions and hourly local grid matching for renewable energy, the NewClimate Institute warns that the wording is vague and may allow for too much interpretation.
• The NewClimate Institute opposes the draft's proposal to allow indirect mitigation measures beyond the activity pool level to count toward scope 3 targets, arguing that such measures should only count in exceptional circumstances and only if they are within the activity pool.
• To improve the integrity of Forest, land and agriculture (FLAG) targets, the author suggests making commodity-specific targets mandatory when those commodities represent 10% or more of a company's emissions, rather than keeping it optional.
• The author supports the requirement that CO2 emissions be neutralised with removals durable for at least a thousand years, but notes that durability requirements for other greenhouse gases require further discussion.
• The NewClimate Institute recommends that existing target validations be renewed every two years instead of every five years to ensure they remain current and compliant with the latest standards.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2025). A potential step forward – but only if key issues are addressed. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/input-for-the-update-of-the-sbti-corporate-net-zero-standard

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. A potential step forward – but only if key issues are addressed. 2025. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/input-for-the-update-of-the-sbti-corporate-net-zero-standard.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=NewClimate Institute |title=A potential step forward – but only if key issues are addressed |date=10 April 2025 |url=http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/input-for-the-update-of-the-sbti-corporate-net-zero-standard |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{newclimateinstitute2025potential, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{A potential step forward – but only if key issues are addressed}}, publisher = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/input-for-the-update-of-the-sbti-corporate-net-zero-standard}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }