The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has reported a 227% surge in companies adopting science-based climate targets in just 18 months. Globally, businesses are moving past one-off or short-term emissions cuts and embedding long-term decarbonisation into corporate strategy. This trend underscores a global move beyond short-term emissions cuts toward comprehensive climate transition planning, according to SBTi.
Asia has emerged as a major driver of this growth, recording a 134% increase in companies with validated targets. China alone jumped from 137 to 450 companies, while Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan also saw rapid adoption. Many of these organisations operate in high-emission value chains such as manufacturing, automotive, and materials — and they are now pressuring suppliers to set similar standards, amplifying the ripple effects across global trade.
For New Zealand companies, this momentum is more than a regional development. Exporters and suppliers to these markets may soon need to align with science-based targets or, at minimum, demonstrate robust emissions measurement and reduction plans. The message is clear: comprehensive transition planning is fast becoming a baseline expectation for doing business internationally.
You can view and download the SBTi Trend Tracker 2025 report here.