The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has initiated a call for real-world evidence and high-quality data to guide the development of Version 2 of its Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) Standard.
Companies operating within FLAG supply chains are invited to submit evidence or register for virtual stakeholder sessions to help shape the revised framework. SBTi is actively seeking input from businesses in underrepresented regions critical to global agricultural supply chains, particularly Latin America and South-East Asia. Expressions of interest for stakeholder meetings close on Tuesday 8 September, whilst the call for evidence remains open until Thursday 8 October.
The outreach forms part of a structured engagement programme designed to reflect diverse geographical, regulatory, and supply chain contexts across the sector. Agriculture and land use represent the third-largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions after energy and industry, whilst remaining acutely exposed to commercial disruption from severe weather events.
The update follows the release of the Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2 in June 2026, which introduced company categorisation by size, country, and market, along with five-year target review cycles and an updated implementation hierarchy. SBTi aims to assess how these structural concepts can be integrated into target-setting for FLAG businesses, while ensuring alignment with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Land Sector Removals Standard.
Businesses currently setting targets under FLAG Guidance version 1.2 are already able to utilize select innovations from the Net-Zero Standard V2, including the absolute contraction approach and a best-efforts target framework.
Development of the updated standard will follow a 12-month process adhering to SBTi’s 2026–2030 strategy and standard operating procedures. The phase will incorporate user feedback, public consultation, pilot testing, and technical guidance from expert advisory groups.
David Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of the SBTi, stated that the FLAG sector plays a vital role in tackling climate change and noted that over 400 companies have already established FLAG targets. He added that gathering corporate evidence will ensure the updated framework reflects operational realities, supporting farm-level transformation, transition risk management, and long-term resilience across global supply chains.
