IETA welcomes SBTi's new Corporate Net Zero Standard, urges earlier carbon market guidance

The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) welcomed the Science Based Targets initiative's (SBTi) release of version 2 of its Corporate Net Zero Standard on 11 June 2026. IETA noted the standard's increased flexibility and recognition of market-based approaches, particularly the new Ongoing Emission Responsibility (OER) programme with its three status levels: 'Engaged', 'Advanced', and 'Leadership'. While praising the inclusion of market-based instruments for addressing ongoing emissions through high-quality carbon credit retirement, IETA urged SBTi to accelerate its carbon market guidance publication from 2027 to late 2026. IETA also recommended bringing forward the mandatory phase for the OER programme from 2035 to 2030 and broadening credit use cases to include both reductions and removals.