Corporate sustainability target-setting is accelerating. New data from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) shows that the number of companies with validated science-based targets grew by 40% in 2025, reaching 9,764 by year-end. The milestone of 10,000 validated companies was surpassed in January 2026.
A Japanese businessman reviewing global climate target growth data. AI generated picture.
Growth in net-zero targets has been even more pronounced. The number of companies with validated net-zero commitments rose by 61% over the same period, reflecting a broader shift towards long-term sustainability planning at the corporate level.
The standout regional story of 2025 is Asia's rise as a centre of gravity for corporate sustainability commitments. The region recorded a 53% increase in companies adopting science-based targets, the fastest growth rate of any region globally.
In absolute terms, Asia added 1,216 companies with validated targets, closely matching Europe's increase of 1,209. Growth is not limited to the region's largest economies. Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore, and Thailand all showed strong uptake, indicating that target-setting is broadening its reach across the region.
Europe retains its lead in absolute numbers, accounting for 49% of all validated targets worldwide. Asia follows at 36%, with North America at 11%. Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean recorded proportional growth of 48% and 42%, respectively, a sign that adoption is spreading across all major regions.
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At the country level, Japan leads with 2,091 companies holding validated targets at the end of 2025, followed by the United Kingdom (1,363) and the United States (943).
Sector-level data points to strong momentum in Healthcare, Information Technology, and Materials, spanning both service-based and industrial segments of the economy.
SBTi Chief Executive Officer David Kennedy framed the findings within the broader business case for target-setting: 'There is clear evidence about the business benefits of science-based target-setting—this is a key lever for companies to manage transition risk and strengthen business resilience, remaining competitive now and in the future. The data in this report shows that despite political headwinds, increasing numbers of companies in every region are setting science-based targets. In doing so they are part of a market transformation that is good for business while contributing to achieving global climate objectives.'
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As corporate sustainability commitments scale globally, the demand for high-integrity carbon credits, the type that stand up to science-based scrutiny, is only set to grow. At Green Earth, we develop nature-based carbon projects that deliver verified environmental value across international markets: restoring ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and generating carbon assets backed by rigorous standards. For businesses building towards validated targets, the quality of the credits they rely on matters as much as the targets themselves. We combine on-the-ground ecological expertise, data intelligence, and accreditation by leading verification bodies to engineer possibilities at scale.
