Surge in corporate climate target setting

Major businesses are increasingly setting science-based targets to reduce their emissions, according to latest figures.

By the end of 2025, 9,764 companies had science-based targets, a 40% rise on the previous year. The number of companies with validated net-zero targets grew even faster, rising by 61%.

The UK has retained its place as being home to the second largest number of companies with targets (1,363) after Japan.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) said the figures highlighted how climate action is becoming increasingly embedded in core business strategy.

David Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of the Science-Based Targets initiative, said: “There is clear evidence about the business benefits of science-based target-setting - this is a key lever for companies to manage transition risk and strengthen business resilience, remaining competitive now and in the future.”

Science-based targets give companies a clearly-defined path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. They define how much and how quickly a business must reduce its emissions to be in line with the Paris Agreement goals.