The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has revised its Corporate Net-Zero Standard, shifting from a zero-carbon requirement to a low-carbon electricity threshold. This change allows certain natural gas installations, including those with carbon capture, to qualify for net-zero claims if they stay below 0.024 kg CO2 per kWh. This policy shift provides a practical path for AI data centers facing grid constraints, though it introduces new challenges. By 2030, large consumers must move toward 24/7 hourly carbon-free energy matching, moving beyond simple annual certificates to prove real-time decarbonization.
