What does the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard update (v2) mean for Business?
- Date
- 2026-03-19
- Host
- Sustainability Leaders
About this event
The SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard is one of the most important frameworks shaping how companies set climate targets, communicate ambition, and plan credible decarbonization. With the v2 update on the horizon, many businesses are asking the same practical question: what is actually changing, and what does it mean for the way we set goals, report progress, and make investment decisions? This in-person session is designed to cut through the noise. Rather than staying at the level of headlines or speculation, the event will focus on what the update could mean in real business terms for teams working across sustainability, strategy, operations, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. About the Event This event is a focused, in-person conversation about the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard update and its implications for business. It is intended for people who need to understand not only the technical direction of travel, but also the operational and strategic consequences that may follow. Expect a format that blends insight, discussion, and peer exchange. The goal is to create a space where attendees can make sense of the update in a practical way, compare perspectives with others facing similar questions, and leave with a clearer view of how to respond internally. The topic matters because net-zero target setting is no longer a niche exercise owned by one team. Changes to the standard can affect governance, transition planning, emissions reduction pathways, supply chain expectations, and the credibility of external commitments. This event is built for people who need to translate evolving guidance into business action. What to Expect The session will center on the business impact of the v2 update, with attention to the questions companies are already working through. While the exact conversation will be shaped by the room, attendees should expect a practical look at issues such as: how updates to the standard may affect current or planned net-zero targets what businesses may need to revisit in their climate strategies and timelines where interpretation challenges are likely to arise across teams how the update could influence reporting, internal alignment, and external claims what actions companies can start considering now, even before every detail is finalized Because this is an in-person event, there will also be real value in the discussion around the edges of the main session. Conversations with peers often surface the most useful insights: what others are hearing internally, where teams are getting stuck, and how organizations are preparing for possible changes without overreacting. You should expect a professional but approachable atmosphere. The session is meant to help people ask informed questions, pressure-test assumptions, and better understand the implications of the update without needing to arrive with every answer already in hand. Why Attend If your business has set, is setting, or is considering net-zero targets, this conversation is timely. Standards shape credibility, and credibility increasingly shapes access to capital, customer trust, regulatory readiness, and internal confidence in climate plans. Understanding the direction of the SBTi update now can help you avoid costly confusion later. Attending gives you a chance to move from abstract awareness to practical interpretation. Instead of simply knowing that a revision is happening, you will be able to think more clearly about what may need to change inside your organization, what questions to bring back to colleagues, and where your current approach may need closer review. You may come away with value such as: a clearer understanding of why the v2 update matters for business decision-making better language for discussing the update with leadership and cross-functional teams a sharper sense of the risks of waiting, overcorrecting, or misreading the implications useful perspective from others navigating similar target-setting and implementation challenges more confidence in the next conversations your organization needs to have For many attendees, the real benefit will be shared clarity. Climate standards can be complex, but the business decisions they influence are immediate and concrete. This event is an opportunity to connect the two. Practical Details This is an in-person event taking place on Thursday, March 19 at 1:00 PM GMT. If you value live discussion, direct networking, and the ability to ask nuanced questions in the room, the format is part of the appeal. Because the topic is technical but highly practical, it may help to arrive with a few questions of your own. Consider where your organization is today: existing targets, upcoming reviews, reporting commitments, governance processes, or stakeholder pressures. Having that context in mind will make the session even more useful. A few things to keep in mind: the event is best suited to people who want business-relevant interpretation, not just high-level awareness in-person attendance creates more room for candid discussion and peer learning the timing makes this a strong opportunity to step back during the working day and focus on a fast-moving issue with others who understand the stakes If the SBTi update is likely to affect how your company plans, communicates, or delivers on net-zero, this is the kind of session that can help you get ahead of the conversation rather than scrambling to catch up.
Who should attend
If you are trying to understand how evolving net-zero standards could affect real business decisions, this event is for you. - You work in **sustainability, climate, ESG, or corporate responsibility** and need to interpret the SBTi update in a way that is useful to the wider business. - You are part of a **strategy, risk, finance, legal, or governance** team and want a clearer view of how standard changes could affect commitments, oversight, and planning. - You lead or support **target setting, decarbonization planning, or transition strategy** and need to assess whether current approaches still hold up. - You are responsible for **reporting, disclosures, or external communications** and want to understand how the update may shape claims, messaging, and credibility. - You work with **operations, procurement, or supply chain engagement** and want to see how higher-level standards may translate into practical expectations across the business. - You value **peer discussion and networking** with others facing similar questions, especially if your organization is still working through what the v2 update means in practice. You do not need to have every detail figured out before attending. The event is especially useful if you need sharper questions, stronger internal talking points, and a more grounded understanding of what to do next.