Science-Based Targets Gain Ground: Asia Sets the Pace

Momentum for corporate environmental action is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) reports that the number of companies setting both near-term and net-zero climate targets has surged by 227% in just 18 months, underscoring how sustainability is becoming central to business strategy.

Satellite image of China and surrounding East and Southeast Asia, highlighting forests and greenery. AI generated picture.

From the end of 2023 to mid-2025, firms adopting dual commitments—reducing emissions in the short term while pursuing net-zero goals—more than tripled. At the same time, companies set near-term goals alone nearly doubled. This shift reflects a broader recognition that lasting competitiveness depends on long-term transition planning rather than short-term measures.

The sharpest growth comes from Asia, where the number of companies with validated science-based targets rose by 134%. China stands out, jumping from 137 to 450 companies—a 228% increase in just a year and a half. Other regional leaders include Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea, together driving a powerful wave of climate-aligned corporate action.

Many of the businesses stepping up are active in high-emission industries. Their adoption of science-based targets is putting pressure on suppliers to follow suit, extending the reach of climate commitments across global supply chains.

By sector, Industrials dominate, making up almost a third of all companies with approved targets. Consumer Discretionary and Materials follow, highlighting the central role of manufacturing, automotive, and raw materials in the global decarbonisation effort.

By the close of 2024, companies with validated science-based targets represented 41% of global market capitalisation and around a quarter of total global revenue, according to analysis from consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

“Smart companies continue to see a strong business case to manage transition risk,” said David Kennedy, CEO of the SBTi. ‘If businesses want to be ahead of the curve, then science-based targets are where businesses start.’

As more firms worldwide commit to transparent, credible targets, science-based strategies are becoming a defining feature of the global shift toward net zero.