Addition of Climate Change Considerations to ISO Standards – What You Need to Know?

Climate change is a pressing global issue that is increasingly being recognized as a significant factor in shaping the future of industries and societies. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has acknowledged the importance of integrating climate change considerations into its standards to address the challenges posed by a changing climate. By incorporating climate change considerations into ISO standards, organizations can better assess and manage their environmental impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

ISO has developed a range of standards that address climate change-related issues, such as ISO 14064 for greenhouse gas accounting and verification, ISO 14090 for adaptation to climate change, and ISO 14091 for climate change vulnerability assessment. These standards provide guidance and best practices for organizations to effectively measure, report, and mitigate their climate-related risks and opportunities.

Recently, ISO has made changes to several Management System Standards to make climate change as a key consideration. These changes emphasise the importance of addressing the effects of climate change within the framework of organisational management systems. As of February 1st, 2024, organization which is currently registered to any of the ISO Management System Standards (MSS), are now required to consider climate change within their management system by determining whether climate change is a relevant issue (Clause 4.1 : Understanding of the organization and the context) and determine relevant interested parties related to climate change (Clause 4.2 : Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties).

By aligning with ISO standards that incorporate climate change considerations, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, resilience, and environmental stewardship. This proactive approach not only helps organizations reduce their carbon footprint and enhance their environmental performance but also contributes to global efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

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