1. Recognize leadership today
Newly formalized. Companies that voluntarily address ongoing emissions are formally recognized, creating incentives for early investment and leadership.
After over two years of stakeholder engagement, SBTi, the world's leading body for climate target setting, published on June 11, 2026 the revised carbon removal guidance in its Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0.
Key changes CSOs need to be aware of:
Formalization of three-phase approach to carbon removal
Removals en-route to net zero: three levels of recognition introduced today
A new shared responsibility approach for compensation of Scope 3 emissions
What’s new, in short
Across the standard we see greater pragmatism, whilst maintaining climate ambition. This is reflected in how carbon removals are approached and their position within corporate net-zero strategies. Combined with alignment with ISO’s net-zero standard, SBTi V2.0. establishes a standardized expectation for integrating carbon removals in the near term.
SBTi is also moving the needle on a crucial missing piece of guidance for carbon removals: value chain collaboration. The new principle of shared responsibility provides companies with new pathways for Scope 3 removals. For many organizations, this creates a more tangible and credible business case for investing in carbon removals.
At Climeworks, we believe that the amendments balance the operational and economic challenges companies face today with the urgent need to scale carbon removals to reach net zero.
SBTi’s three-phase approach to carbon removals:
Removals en route to net zero
The Recognition phase (today – 2035) includes carbon removals, alongside other eligible climate contributions.
Mandatory phase (2035 onwards)
Companies will be required to compensate for a defined share of ongoing emissions. This includes:
A minimum percentage of emissions to be addressed from 1% in 2035 to 100% at net-zero
A required % ramp-up of long-lived removals from 10% in 2035 to 100% at net-zero
A new model for compensation of Scope 3 emissions
SBTi V2.0 is also moving the needle on a crucial missing piece of guidance for carbon removals: value chain collaboration. The standard introduces new pathways for Scope 3 removals through shared responsibility across the value chain.
What companies are required to do:
At least one party shall clearly assume coverage of the emissions.
Companies shall submit a written agreement or contract describing how coverage is allocated
What should a CSO do differently in 2026:
1. Choose the tier of recognition that best fits your company’s ambitions, budget and stakeholder expectations.
2. Align your ongoing emissions responsibility framework with your broader sustainability strategy, identifying key opportunities to complement
3. Prepare for mandatory removal phase from 2035 by including a build up of removals within your framework
4. Define a clear funding approach and investment envelope for the defined carbon removals.
5. Collaborate with your suppliers and customers to share Scope 3 responsibility.
Contact our team of advisors
We are here to support our partners in navigating this new recognition of carbon removals and setting targets for the SBTi.