SBTi updates · a dated register, checked 11 October 2026
SBTi updates: every change in 2026, dated
SBTi updates in 2026 came in quick succession: new fees in January, a method change in April, the Net-Zero Standard V2.0 in June, new dashboard statuses in September and an open-ended future for the financial-institution routes in October.
This register lists the Science Based Targets initiative updates with their dates and sources, newest first, and what is coming next.
Coming
SBTi updates still to come
| Date | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 31 January 2027 | Last day for separate near-term and net-zero commitments | Transition guide |
| 1 February 2027 | V2.0 validations open (corporates); the single SBTi Commitment begins | Transition guide, Table 1 |
| By Q2 2027 | Dashboard shows FI targets as FINT or FINZ | Statuses V2.1 |
| 2027 (no date published) | The Ongoing Emissions Responsibility programme launches | SBTi, 11 June 2026 |
| Early 2027 | Oil and gas standard development resumes | Work plan |
| 31 January 2028 | Last day to submit under V1.3.1 | Transition guide, Table 1 |
| 1 February 2028 | V2.0 the only option for new corporate submissions | Transition guide, Table 1 |
The register
Science Based Targets initiative updates, newest first
| Date | Update | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 11 October 2026 | FLAG V2 call for evidence closes, extended from 8 October | FLAG page |
| 8 October 2026 | FI Near-Term Criteria and FINZ both continue without an end date; FINZ tool pauses power and automotive targets; four finance modules on the Academy | SBTi news |
| 7 October 2026 | Commitment and Target Statuses V2.1: FI detail and expired targets | Statuses V2.1 |
| October 2026 | Validation Procedures for CNZS V2.0 (V1.0) and the validation SOP V1.2 | SBTi Services |
| 1 October 2026 | SBTi Services publishes the V2.0 validation resources | SBTi blog |
| 24 September 2026 | Dashboard statuses and UN M49 regions change; the status document replaces the Commitment Compliance Policy | SBTi blog |
| 18 September 2026 | FINZ Target-Setting Tool v1.1 | Tool README |
| 15 July – 7 September 2026 | Second public consultation on the Power Standard | Power page |
| 30 July 2026 | Call for input on revising the FLAG guidance | FLAG page |
| 20 July 2026 | Buildings Criteria V1.2 | Buildings page |
| 14 July 2026 | Readiness Assessment Service launched; not pre-validation | SBTi Services |
| 11 June 2026 | Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0 published | SBTi |
| 29 April 2026 | Absolute contraction approach updated, effective immediately | SBTi news |
| 14 April 2026 | Near-Term Criteria V5.3.1 takes effect, a non-substantive revision in which no criteria changed, with Net-Zero Standard V1.3.1; Corporate Near-Term Tool v2.5 | Criteria version table |
| 19 March 2026 | FLAG Guidance V1.2, an urgent revision of criteria C1 and C4 | FLAG Guidance |
| 5 January 2026 | Service Offerings V6 and V6.1 fees apply | Service Offerings V6.1 |
The single consolidated corporate standard announced on 29 July 2026 is the GHG Protocol’s, with ISO, for carbon accounting, with consultation planned for Q2 2027.
Reading them
How to read SBTi updates
Keep three dates apart: when a document is published, when it takes effect, and when it applies to your submission; V2.0 is the clearest case, published in June 2026 and usable from February 2027.
The detail of each change is in its own guide: the SBTi net zero standard, SBTi near-term targets, the SBTi dashboard and SBTi financial institutions; the SBTi hub links them all.
Frequently asked
Science Based Targets initiative updates, answered
What are the latest SBTi updates?
On 8 October 2026 the SBTi said both its financial-institution routes stay open without an end date; on 7 October it revised its status document to V2.1; and on 1 October SBTi Services published the resources for validating against the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0.
When does SBTi V2.0 apply?
Validations against V2.0 open on 1 February 2027.
Companies can choose V1.3.1 or V2.0 until 31 January 2028, and V2.0 is the only option from 1 February 2028.
What changed in the SBTi’s method in 2026?
On 29 April 2026 the SBTi updated the absolute contraction approach, phasing annual cuts by base year and net-zero year while keeping the 4.2% floor; it took effect immediately for targets set in 2026 and 2027.
Is the SBTi consolidating its corporate standards?
The consolidated corporate standard announced on 29 July 2026 is the GHG Protocol’s, with ISO, for carbon accounting.
The SBTi has not announced a consolidation of its target standards.
How often is this register updated?
We check the SBTi’s news, blog and standards pages before each refresh and date every row; this version was checked on 11 October 2026.
Sources
Primary sources
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner.
Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
- Science Based Targets initiativeCorporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0
Published 11 June 2026.
- SBTi ServicesGuide for Companies in the Transition to CNZS V2.0
Table 1: the transition dates.
- Science Based Targets initiativeCountdown to validation (1 October 2026)
V2.0 validation resources published.
- SBTi ServicesValidation Procedures for CNZS V2.0, V1.0
October 2026.
- Science Based Targets initiativeAbsolute Contraction Approach update (29 April 2026)
Effective immediately.
- Science Based Targets initiativeUpcoming changes to the SBTi Target Dashboard (13 August 2026)
Effective 24 September 2026.
- Science Based Targets initiativeCommitment and Target Statuses V2.1
7 October 2026.
- Science Based Targets initiativeFinancial Institutions Near-Term Criteria to continue without end date (8 October 2026)
Both FI routes stay open.
- Science Based Targets initiativeForest, land and agriculture
FLAG V1.2; the V2 call extended to 11 October.
- Science Based Targets initiativeStandards and guidance: Technical Work Plan
Sector development windows.
- SBTi ServicesTarget Validation Service Offerings V6.1
Fees effective 5 January 2026.
- SBTi ServicesReadiness Assessment Service
Launched 14 July 2026.
- GHG ProtocolKey standard development updates (29 July 2026)
The consolidation plan is the GHG Protocol’s.