The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently announced a public consultation on its new ISO Net Zero Aligned Organizations Standard (ISO 14060). The ISO is an international organization that publishes voluntary management systems standards, including quality, environmental management, health and safety, energy management, and a variety of sustainability-focused topics. The ISO discusses the new standard in a press release:
“The development of ISO 14060 builds on the ISO Net Zero Guidelines launched in 2022 and responds to growing demand from businesses, policymakers and investors for internationally harmonized approaches to transition planning and climate resilience.
International Standards underpin the majority of global trade and provide common frameworks that support interoperability, trust and market confidence. ISO says the proposed standard is intended to help organizations simplify and scale credible climate action by translating emerging best practice into an internationally agreed and independently verifiable framework.”
The drafts will be available for consultation for twelve weeks. The ISO is hoping to have national consensus positions established by early September. Despite multiple frameworks supporting emissions calculations and climate-related disclosures, net-zero planning lacks a standardized methodology. An ISO standard would give companies a firmer footing and comparable data. As jurisdictions like the EU and UK consider adopting net-zero plan disclosures, it will be interesting to see how many organizations opt to use the new ISO 14060.
Our members can learn more about climate disclosures and net zero planning here.
Interested in a membership with access to the complete range of benefits and resources? Sign up now and take advantage of our no-risk “100-Day Promise” – during the first 100 days as an activated member, you may cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. But it will probably pay for itself before then. Members also save hours of research and reading time each week by using our filtered and curated library of ESG/sustainability resources covering over 100 sustainability subject areas – updated daily with practical and credible information.
Practical Guidance for Companies, Curated for Clarity.
