The Science Based Targets initiative has launched a second public consultation on an updated draft of its Automotive Net-Zero Standard, as global carmakers and suppliers face rising pressure from investors, regulators and consumers to set credible pathways to net-zero emissions by mid-century.
The revised draft, released on Tuesday, is intended to provide a clearer and more practical framework for automakers and auto parts manufacturers seeking to align their climate targets with the goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It reflects feedback from an earlier consultation and aims to strengthen alignment with the SBTi’s developing Corporate Net-Zero Standard, while addressing long-standing challenges in how vehicle emissions are measured and reported.
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Science Based Targets initiative said the updated draft places sharper emphasis on emissions generated during the use of vehicles sold, which account for the majority of the automotive sector’s climate footprint. Industry data cited by the initiative show that emissions from vehicles in operation typically represent between 70% and 80% of an automaker’s total emissions, dwarfing those from manufacturing and supply chains.
The Automotive Net-Zero Standard is designed to establish science-based criteria that allow companies to set targets covering these so-called “use-phase” emissions in a way that is consistent, comparable and grounded in climate science. Once finalised, it will replace the automotive components of the SBTi’s existing Land Transport Guidance.
A central change in the new draft is a tighter focus on Scope 3 emissions, specifically Category 11, which covers emissions from the use of sold products. This shift is intended to bring the Automotive Standard into closer alignment with the forthcoming Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2, which is expected to apply more consistent rules across sectors.
The revised draft also redefines low-emission vehicles strictly as zero-emission vehicles, removing earlier ambiguity around technologies that reduce but do not eliminate tailpipe emissions. This clarification is expected to affect how manufacturers classify electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and other emerging technologies within their transition plans.
To accommodate differing business models and regional conditions, the draft introduces optional approaches for setting targets. Automakers may choose to set targets based either on absolute Scope 3 emissions from vehicle use or on the share of zero-emission vehicles in their sales, provided both approaches deliver equivalent long-term decarbonisation outcomes.
The initiative has also adjusted technical parameters to reflect real-world constraints. The convergence date used to calculate emissions-reduction pathways has been extended, acknowledging differences in infrastructure readiness, technology deployment and regional market conditions. In addition, the draft allows for globally aggregated targets for light-duty vehicles, a move intended to simplify implementation for multinational manufacturers operating across multiple markets.
According to the SBTi, these changes are designed to increase the standard’s usability without weakening its scientific basis. The updated draft draws on input from an expert advisory group, the initiative’s technical council and stakeholders who participated in the first consultation round.
Karl Downey, head of sector standards at the initiative, said the feedback highlighted the need for a framework that reflects the operational realities of a highly globalised and capital-intensive industry.
“Decarbonising road transport is critical to achieving global net-zero goals,” Downey said in a statement. “Ensuring the standard can accommodate different company contexts while maintaining scientific rigour will help translate ambition into practical, credible climate action.”
The automotive sector is under increasing scrutiny as governments tighten emissions regulations and investors demand clearer transition strategies. In emerging markets, including across Africa, the debate over vehicle emissions is closely linked to questions of affordability, infrastructure development and access to clean mobility. While electric vehicle adoption remains uneven across regions, global standards are increasingly shaping long-term investment and product strategies.
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The SBTi said the Automotive Net-Zero Standard is intended not only to guide emissions-reduction targets but also to support long-term decision-making on capital investment, supply chains and product development. Companies that adopt the standard are expected to improve regulatory readiness and strengthen credibility with investors and consumers, particularly as climate disclosures become more closely scrutinised.
The public consultation will run from February 3 to March 22, 2026, with feedback invited through an online survey. The initiative said it is seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, investors, policymakers and civil society groups.
Once the consultation concludes, the SBTi plans to finalise the Automotive Net-Zero Standard and integrate it fully into its suite of sector-specific guidance. The organisation said stakeholder feedback would play a key role in ensuring the final framework is both robust and practical in supporting the automotive industry’s transition to net-zero emissions.
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