The number of companies setting both near-term and net-zero science-based climate targets has soared by 227% in just 18 months, according to the latest report from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The findings signal a significant shift in corporate climate ambition, with businesses embedding long-term decarbonization goals into core strategy.
From the end of 2023 to mid-2025, the number of firms adopting these dual targets more than tripled, while those setting near-term targets alone nearly doubled, the SBTi Trend Tracker 2025 shows.
This trend underscores a global move beyond short-term emissions cuts toward comprehensive climate transition planning, according to SBTi.
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Asia has emerged as a key driver of this growth, recording a 134% increase in companies with validated targets.
China led the surge with a 228% rise, jumping from 137 to 450 companies in just 18 months. Other major contributors include Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea.
Many of these firms operate in high-emission value chains and are now pressuring suppliers to adopt similar standards, amplifying the ripple effect of their climate commitments.
Sector-wise, Industrials dominate, representing nearly one-third of all companies with targets, followed by Consumer Discretionary and Materials.
These sectors—central to manufacturing, automotive, and raw materials—play a pivotal role in global decarbonization.
By the end of 2024, companies with validated science-based targets represented 41% of global market capitalization, or about a quarter of global revenue, according to an analysis by consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
“Smart companies continue to see a strong business case to manage transition risk,” David Kennedy, CEO of the SBTi, said, concluding that “if businesses want to be ahead of the curve, then science-based targets are where businesses start.”
The data signals a growing recognition that clear, credible targets are essential to driving corporate action toward net zero and maintaining long-term competitiveness in a low-carbon economy.
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