Highlights

• SBTi opens public consultation on urgent updates to Forest, Land, and Agriculture Criteria.
• Five proposed changes target timelines, deforestation cutoffs, commodity lists, and documentation.
• Final revisions will be published no earlier than Q1 2026, with immediate effect for new targets.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has launched a 30-day public consultation to update its Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) Criteria and described the revisions as urgent.

This sector plays a decisive role in the climate system and accounts for almost one-quarter of global emissions and incurs losses of around $123 billion annually owing to natural disasters, which is about 5% of global agricultural GDP.

By setting science-based targets through FLAG Guidance, companies can devise strategies that reduce emissions and buffer the land critical to their operations.

Read More: NAB on Tenterhooks Over Deforestation in Agri-Lending

The consultation entails two specific FLAG Criteria—Criteria 1 and 4—that require immediate attention. The aim is to make the rules workable for companies and keep them ambitious and in step with evolving climate frameworks.

As part of this process, the SBTi has come forward with five proposed revisions and invited stakeholders to examine and comment on the changes during the consultation period.

The first proposal relates to Criterion 1. Companies that already have non-FLAG targets would need to set a FLAG target before their next five-year mandatory review, rather than within six months of the publication of the GHG Protocol Land Sector and Removals Guidance. This adjustment links the timing of FLAG target-setting to companies’ existing review schedules and creates a more practical timeline.

The second proposal addresses Criterion 4. Companies setting FLAG targets for the first time would have up to two years after submitting their targets for validation to eliminate deforestation, with an absolute deadline of 31 December 2030. This step follows the passing of the 2025 deadline and reflects the urgency of halting forest loss.

Also Read: SBTi Launches 1st Global Register of Certified Climate Target Experts

The third proposal involves setting a deforestation cutoff date. Businesses would be required to choose a cutoff date that comes before the submission of their first FLAG targets for validation. This is a shift from the current recommendation that the cutoff date be 2020 or earlier, which makes the rule more precise and binding.

The fourth proposal is with respect to the list of commodities covered under no-deforestation commitments. The list would be updated to match the European Union Deforestation Regulation as well as to ensure that the scope of commodities aligns with recent legislative developments.

The fifth proposal is for companies to publish more detailed documentation showing how they will meet their no-deforestation commitments. This clarification aims to increase transparency and provide a stronger basis for accountability.

The public consultation is open until 6 November 2025, and all stakeholders are invited to take part through a survey.

The final revised criteria are scheduled for release no earlier than the first quarter of 2026, along with a Basis for Conclusions report.

See Also: SBTi Launches Net-Zero Guidelines for Financial Sector

Once released, the updated rules will apply immediately to companies setting new FLAG targets. Existing targets will remain valid, though companies may choose to bring their no-deforestation commitments in line with the revised criteria.

The revisions follow a special procedure outlined in SBTi’s Standard Operating Procedure. This approach is used when updates are required outside the regular review cycle due to exceptional circumstances.

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Source: SBTi