Corporate Net Zero Targets Surge After 2024, New Study Shows

A new Accenture report shows global corporations are re-accelerating their push toward net zero, marking a clear shift after momentum slowed in 2024. The Destination Net Zero study finds that major companies across regions—including those in North America—are once again strengthening climate goals and broadening the measures they use to cut emissions across their value chains.

Tree seedlings growing in front of office buildings. AI generated picture.

This year’s edition draws on an expanded dataset, covering the 4,000 largest public and private companies worldwide. Accenture analysed more than 60 decarbonisation indicators and paired them with S&P Global Trucost emissions data to trace how corporate strategies have evolved since the series launched in 2021.

One of the most notable developments is the renewed rise in full value-chain net zero targets. After remaining flat at 37% in 2024, the proportion of the world’s largest 2,000 companies with Scopes 1, 2 and 3 commitments has climbed to 41%. Europe continues to lead with 65% target adoption, followed by Asia Pacific at 35%. North American companies, though still trailing at 29%, have seen the first increase in two years.

Short-term planning is strengthening as well. According to the report, 73% of companies now have Scope 1 and 2 net zero targets—up from 65% last year—and 70% have published detailed transition plans outlining how they intend to meet them.

Another standout trend is the growing reliance on a wider set of decarbonisation ‘levers.’ Companies are now implementing an average of 13 out of 21 identified levers, compared with 11.5 the year before. The most widely used remain energy efficiency and waste reduction (87% each), followed by renewable energy sourcing (81%), improvements to buildings (80%), and supplier-focused initiatives (79%). Employee incentives are gaining traction as well, rising to 57% from 23% in 2023.

These actions are producing measurable change. Although total revenues among the world’s largest companies have grown by 7% since 2016, overall emissions have stayed flat—an improvement on last year’s reported trend. Three-quarters of companies have reduced emissions intensity, and more than half have cut their absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

However, long-term alignment remains a challenge. Only 16% of companies are currently on track to reach net zero in their operations by 2050, a share unchanged from last year. The report also highlights that the highest-emitting companies are the least likely to have full targets in place.

Yet Accenture stresses that momentum is building despite regulatory uncertainty. As the report notes: ‘In 2025, the context for corporate climate action continues to evolve. Political priorities are shifting, regulations are under debate, and the path to net zero is anything but straightforward. Yet, corporate ambition isn’t fading. In fact, it’s gaining ground.’