As a result of the commitment to address the issue of climate change, as stated in the London Declaration of the ISO - International Organization for Standardization, ISO and the IAF - International Accreditation Forum, have made an amendment to Chapter 4 of the Harmonized Framework (Appendix 2 of Annex SL in the ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 Consolidated ISO Supplement). More information can be found here.
What should be considered in an Environmental Management System according to ISO 14001?
There is no standardized approach to climate change considerations in an environmental management system (EMS) according to ISO 14001. However, we share as a reference part of the text taken from a White Paper developed by the partners of the IQNET Association, of which APCER is a member representing Portugal.
These considerations are not sufficient on their own, nor are they considered complete; they are merely identified as the most likely to be analyzed by organizations:
Increased regulatory requirements: As governments around the world implement stricter regulations to combat climate change, certified organizations may have to adjust to ensure compliance. This may include stricter emission limits, more stringent reporting requirements and, potentially, the need to participate in carbon trading or related incentives.
Scarcity of resources, ecosystem services and increased costs: Climate change can lead to scarcity of resources, such as water and raw materials, and increase energy and product costs. This situation can affect the economic aspects of environmental management, requiring certified organizations to adapt their processes and find more sustainable and cost-effective solutions. Within the EMS, they may need to focus on resource efficiency and alternative sourcing strategies to maintain performance.
Changing environmental priorities: As climate change intensifies, there may be a shift in environmental priorities, both globally and locally, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy sources, as examples. Certified organizations may need to adjust their EMS to align with these changing priorities, ensuring that their environmental objectives and targets remain relevant and ambitious.
Increased difficulty in achieving targets: Climate-induced changes, such as more extreme weather conditions and changes in ecosystems, can make it difficult for certified organizations to achieve their environmental objectives. For example, an organization aiming to reduce water consumption may find it increasingly difficult during prolonged droughts. This may require more robust planning and adaptive management strategies.
Operational adjustments and opportunities: Climate change may motivate the need to make operational adjustments, such as modifying processes to reduce water use in drought conditions or increasing energy efficiency to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. They can also present other opportunities, such as the development of new environmentally friendly products or services.
Supply chain management: The impacts of climate change can extend throughout an organization's supply chain, affecting the availability of raw materials and the environmental performance of suppliers. Organizations may need to work with their suppliers to improve environmental performance. This may involve re-evaluating suppliers based on their ability to manage climate risks and their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint.
Other considerations: related, for example, to emergency preparedness and response, the changing relevance/significance of environmental aspects or the new skills needed to adapt to climate change.
Other Climate Change considerations that all organizations certified to the management system standards covered by this amendment should consider
Certified organizations, regardless of the sector of activity in which they operate and the type and scope of the management system, may need to review and adapt other processes and consider other issues in order to better address and accommodate changes in context, evolving requirements and stakeholder needs, as well as new risks arising from climate change.
Training and awareness: Effective management approach and practices in the context of climate change require informed and aware people. Certified organizations may need to include training programs that convey climate-related challenges and changes to their employees, ensuring that they understand the evolving nature of related risks and their responsibilities.
Engagement and communication with stakeholders: Engagement with stakeholders on climate-related compliance issues is crucial. Certified organizations should facilitate communication and engagement with stakeholders, including investors, customers, regulatory bodies and the community, on how the organization addresses climate-related compliance issues.
Monitoring and continuous improvement: Given the dynamic nature of climate change and its impacts, certified organizations must be able to monitor and continuously improve. This ensures that the organization can adapt its strategies in response to new information, regulations and best practices related to climate change.
Innovative solutions for greater resilience: Organizations may need to invest in innovative solutions to strengthen resilience in the face of climate-induced challenges and risks, and thus contribute to better performance and effectiveness.
Long-term strategic planning: Organizations must consider long-term trends and contextual issues, including those related to climate change. This enables strategic planning that aligns with global sustainability goals and climate change mitigation efforts.
Reputation and brand value: Organizations that do not address climate change risks or adopt sustainable practices may suffer in terms of reputation and brand value, as consumers and investors increasingly value sustainability. For some organizations, public perception can also be critical. Those that fail to take adequate measures to combat or adapt to climate change may suffer damage to their reputation, which can have a direct impact on customer loyalty and brand value.
Insurance and risk management: The increased frequency and severity of weather phenomena can lead to higher insurance premiums. For organizations with significant physical assets, or those operating in high-risk areas, this can represent a substantial financial burden.
Identifying new opportunities: Organizations can also look for opportunities arising from the transition to a greener economy, such as the development of new products or services, efficiency improvements and access to new markets.
