The number of companies with science-based climate targets validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has reached 10,000 worldwide, underscoring the growing scale of corporate climate action across sectors and regions.
The milestone includes globally recognised organisations such as Arsenal Football Club, Danone, ING, Lenovo, McLaren Racing and Ørsted. Together, the 10,000 companies account for more than 40% of global market capitalisation and span nearly every major sector, region and company size.
Headquartered across more than 90 countries and all continents, the companies reflect the mainstream adoption of science-based target setting across the global economy. While European-headquartered firms continue to represent a significant share of validated companies, growth in Asia has accelerated in recent years. Japan now has the highest number of SBTi-validated companies globally, with more than 2,000, followed by the United Kingdom, the United States and China.
The SBTi validated its first company in 2015, reached 1,000 validated companies in 2021, and added more than 2,800 new companies in 2025 alone to reach the 10,000 mark at the start of 2026.
To secure validation through SBTi Services, the initiative’s validation arm, companies must set emissions reduction targets in line with SBTi standards, tools and guidance. Validation confirms that targets are aligned with science-based pathways consistent with achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
David Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of the Science-Based Targets initiative, said:
“Reaching 10,000 validated companies is a significant milestone—for the companies involved, and for corporate climate action more broadly. Companies are setting science-based targets because they recognise the strategic, reputational and financial benefits of net-zero business transformation.”
Hannah Mansour, Director of ESG at Arsenal Football Club, said the club was “proud to be the only football club to have a net-zero target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative,” adding that it continued to make progress in reducing emissions while engaging supporters and communities.
Danone Chief Sustainability Officer Nathalie Alquier said the company had been an early mover on climate action and had reduced its CO₂ emissions by 16.1% since 2020. “As SBTi reaches 10,000 companies, we look forward to continuing to work collectively to scale impact and accelerate the transition and resiliency of the food system,” she said.
Ada Chávez, Senior Engineer and Net Zero Lead at Lenovo, said the milestone reinforced the value of the SBTi Net-Zero Standard in providing a credible pathway for organisations to communicate progress and build trust with stakeholders.
Kim Wilson, Director of Sustainability at McLaren Racing, said the team’s SBTi-validated net-zero target demonstrated that “performance and sustainability go hand-in-hand,” both grounded in innovation, agility and resilience.
Ørsted’s Head of Global Sustainability, Anders Johannes Enghild, said the company recognised the value of SBTi standards in defining credible corporate climate pathways and required its suppliers to set SBTi-aligned targets. “We’re pleased to see this momentum growing,” he said, “as we work to create a world that runs entirely on green energy.”
