ISO launches public consultation on the world’s first International Standard for net zero alignment today

The Draft International Standard is being made available for a 12-week public consultation period to ISO's national members in more than 170 countries, to establish national consensus positions by early September.

Today's launch marks a major milestone following almost two years of international negotiations involving hundreds of experts from business, government, academia, civil society and standards bodies worldwide.

The international working group developing the standard has been one of the largest in ISO's history, reflecting strong global interest in a consistent international approach. The Draft International Standard is intended to provide globally consistent guidance for organizations navigating the transition to net zero and helps support holistic business model transformations.

Over 130 countries, including China, India and the EU, are committed to cut emissions down to zero. As climate action moves from ambition to implementation and markets grapple with energy security shocks, organizations are facing growing pressure to strengthen their business models and supply chain resilience, and manage climate-related risks. Transition plans are the vehicle to do so at the organizational level, and to turn net zero targets into credible and verifiable action.

Noelia Garcia Nebra, Head of Sustainability and Partnerships at ISO, said the proposed standard is aimed to help organizations of all sizes and sectors develop structured and verifiable approaches to net-zero-alignment.

"ISO 14060 has been developed to provide a globally agreed framework that helps organizations build credible transition plans while supporting resilience, innovation and long-term growth," Ms Garcia Nebra said.

"International Standards play a critical role in scaling trusted best practice globally. By opening this draft for public consultation, we are inviting stakeholders worldwide to help shape an International Standard that reflects diverse market realities and supports practical implementation across regions and sectors."

The development of the Net Zero Aligned Organizations Standard (ISO 14060) is being convened within the international standards system by the British Standards Institution (BSI), the UK National Standards Body, and ICONTEC, Colombia's National Standards Body, who jointly lead the international working group responsible for the standard's development.

Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI said, "Two years ago, we announced the start of this important global process, convening government-recognized National Standards Bodies and their experts from around the world to bring clarity, credibility and trust to the energy transition. Reaching this milestone, with consensus achieved across hundreds of international experts in the process, is a significant achievement and a proud moment for BSI in demonstrating the UK's global climate leadership.

"In a time of growing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, businesses need stable ground rules that allow them to plan and act with confidence. The ISO Net Zero Aligned Organizations Standard provides a globally recognised framework that helps organizations build resilience, manage climate risk, and demonstrate that their business plans are future-proofed. We strongly encourage UK businesses, investors, policymakers and civil society to engage with this consultation to help accelerate our common progress towards a sustainable world."

Daniel Trillos, Director of Standardization, ICONTEC, said, "We are proud that Colombia, through ICONTEC as co-convenor of the international working group, has played a leading role in the development of ISO 14060. This standard has been built through a truly global and inclusive process, ensuring that the perspectives of both developed and developing economies are reflected.

"By providing a common framework for credible net zero transition plans, ISO 14060 will help organizations of all sizes and sectors turn ambition into action while ensuring that all voices are heard and no one is left behind."

The draft international standard provides guidance to support organizations in adapting business models for the global transition to net zero, while strengthening resilience to supply chain disruption, market volatility and evolving investor and regulatory expectations. It also supports organizations in prioritizing energy security, managing emissions reductions pathways and integrating transition planning into broader business strategy.

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.

Today's launch comes ahead of London Climate Action Week, where ISO and BSI will convene partners and stakeholders in a high-level session on the role of the international standards system in supporting climate action. The discussion will explore how initiatives including ISO 14060, the ISO-GHG Protocol partnership and ISO 32212, the new transition planning standard for financial institutions, can help strengthen alignment, reduce fragmentation and support credible implementation across markets.

Governments, businesses, researchers and civil society organizations are encouraged to participate in the public consultation process through their country's National Standards Body.