#174 What is the new ISO Climate Change Amendment?

May 9, 2024

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In February 2024, the ISO and IAF issued an unprecedented change to 31 commonly adopted ISO Standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 27001.

This change saw the addition of a new 'Climate Change Amendment', which was applied in part due to the ISO's resolution in support of the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change.

So what does this mean for ISO certified businesses?

Join Mel as she discusses what this new ISO Climate Change Amendment is, why it was introduced, what are the consequences if you don't address it and the benefits of its introduction.

You'll learn

· What is the ISO Climate Change Amendment?

· Why was it introduced?

· What are the consequences if you do not address the change?

· What are the benefits of the Climate Change Amendment?

Resources

· Isologyhub

· ISO Climate Change Amendment Workshop

In this episode, we talk about:

[00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo.

[02:30] Episode summary: We break down the new ISO Climate Change Amendment, including why it was introduced and why you should address it ahead of your next Certification Body visit.

[02:55] Join our Workshop– If you're not sure where to start with addressing this amendment, join our interactive workshop taking place on the 20th May (14:00 – 16:00 GMT). There we will explain how you can integrate the new changes into your existing ISO Management System. Register your place here.

[04:30] What is the new ISO Climate Change Amendment? – A key clarification before we go into more detail, this is not a new version of a Standard i.e. ISO 27001:2022, where you must transition to a new version.

So, what is it? In February 2024, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced a groundbreaking amendment to integrate climate change considerations into various management system standards.

The amendment doesn't assign specific actions. Instead, it adds text to existing clauses in 31 standards (including ISO 9001, 14001, 27001) requiring organizations to consider:

· Relevance of climate change: Organizations must assess if climate change is a relevant issue for their operations and context (Clause 4.1).

· Stakeholder expectations: Note added: Relevant Interested Parties can have requirements related to climate change (Clause 4.2).

As we've learned from our sister company, Carbonology, it is often Stakeholders driving forward that need to verify a business's carbon footprint and take steps towards Net Zero.

[09:30] Why was this change Introduced? – This change was in part due to ISO's resolution in support of the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change. The aim is making climate change considerations an integral part of management systems, their guiding policies and practises – not simply as an afterthought.

As we all know, climate change will affect everyone, and should be a concern that every business fully considers to ensure they are resilient and adaptable enough to deal with climate related risks.

This amendment means businesss will need to address these risks where relevant, and integrate them into strategic objectives and look what can be done from a risk mitigation perspective.

The global business community will be one of the driving forces for paving a way to a more sustainable future – It all starts with changing the way we work, making the shift towards embedding environmental consciousness into the very heart of your business.

ISO Standards are widely adopted, and this change offers a catalyst for meaningful climate action on a global scale.

[11:00] Join the isologyhub and get access to limitless ISO resources – From as little as £99 a month, you can have unlimited access to hundreds of online training courses and achieve certification for completion of courses along the way, which will take you from learner to practitioner to leader in no time. Simply head on over to the isologyhub to sign-up or book a demo.

[13:20] What are the consequences for not addressing this change? - Certification bodies will be asking you about these amendments effective immediately. If you've not addressed them ahead of your next certification body visit, you could run the risk of getting a non-conformity. The amendment added to Clause 4.1 especially states 'Must' – so there's no getting away with simply ignoring it.

[14:50] What are the benefits of this change? – Some of the benefits will likely already be felt by those with existing environmental standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 in place. So, let's take a look at how you can benefit from addressing this amendment:

· Reduced Environmental Footprint: By integrating climate change considerations, businesses can identify and implement practices that lower their carbon emissions and resource consumption.

· Enhanced Sustainability: Addressing climate change demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, which is increasingly important for attracting environmentally conscious customers and investors.

· Cost Savings: Climate-conscious practices can lead to cost savings through improved resource efficiency, reduced waste, and potentially lower energy bills.

· Resilience and Risk Management: By considering climate-related risks (e.g., extreme weather events, resource scarcity), businesses can proactively develop strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure operational continuity.

· Innovation: Focusing on climate change can lead to innovation in areas like cleaner technologies or sustainable product development, giving businesses a competitive edge.

· Positive Brand Image: Demonstrating proactive action on climate change can enhance a company's brand image and reputation among environmentally conscious stakeholders. This is a particularly important issue to younger generations who are becoming the dominant buying power from a commercial perspective.

· Stronger Stakeholder Relationships: By considering stakeholder expectations around climate change, businesses can build stronger relationships with customers, investors, and regulators.

· Holistic Approach to sustainability: Integrating climate change considerations strengthens a businesses' overall management system by fostering a more comprehensive and future-proof approach.

· Continual Improvement: The amendment emphasizes continual improvement, encouraging businesses to constantly seek ways to reduce their environmental impact, leading to long-term sustainability benefits.

If you'd like to learn about what actions you can take to integrate the ISO Climate Change Amendment into your ISO Management System, join our live event on the 20th May – register here.

If you'd like to book a demo for the isologyhub, simply contact us and we'd be happy to give you a tour.

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