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SBTi opens comment on electricity rules in its Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has opened a 30-day public comment period on proposed clarifications to the electricity criteria in its Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 2.0. Published on 5 November 2026, the proposals cover deliverability regions, clean energy projects across regions and contracts signed before the standard takes effect on 1 February 2027.
What has the SBTi proposed?
The SBTi's Technical Council approved four clarifications for comment:
- An interim reading of deliverability regions. Version 2.0 introduced deliverability regions without defining them in detail. The clarification document offers a preliminary list of regions for comment, according to ESG Dive.
- Funding new projects across regions. The proposals specify how companies may fund new energy projects across deliverability regions. ESG Dive reports that the SBTi found its load aggregation policy, limited to wide-area synchronous grids and recognising only power purchase agreements, out of step with current practice, "particularly in the U.S.", where tax credit transfer agreements play a similar role.
- Grandfathering of existing contracts. Contracts signed before 1 February 2027 would be grandfathered.
- The 15-year generator age limit. Exemptions to the limit move into the main text of the standard.
The SBTi says the changes make the criteria clearer "while still requiring that the clean power match the grid companies actually use".
Why is the SBTi clarifying the electricity criteria now?
Scope 2 was the second most common topic in stakeholder questions about the standard, and the SBTi says 40% of those questions relate to the topics in this clarification. Companies asked for more detail on legacy contract start dates and on deliverability regions before the standard takes effect.
How does this fit with the GHG Protocol's Scope 2 revision?
The SBTi describes the clarifications as interim guidance that runs alongside the GHG Protocol's own revision of its Scope 2 guidance. "The GHG Protocol's scope 2 revision is ongoing, and both organizations are committed to interoperability," the SBTi said, adding that its interim interpretation supports the GHG Protocol's direction of travel on deliverability regions without pre-empting its work. ESG Dive reports that the GHG Protocol expects further Scope 2 revisions to go to public consultation in Q2 2027.
Who should respond, and by when?
The SBTi says the clarifications apply globally and are relevant to "any company that purchases electricity and uses market instruments for low-carbon electricity". The comment period opened on 5 November and runs for 30 days, which Trellis puts at 5 December 2026, through an online form linked from the SBTi's announcement.
The SBTi will publish a Basis for Conclusions report on the feedback, and any changes take effect as soon as that report is published. Trellis reports that the SBTi plans to analyse comments in December and publish any changes in January. For the wider set of changes arriving with Version 2.0, see our SBTi V2 readiness checklist for 2027.
