The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has urged organizations around the world to set a goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, if not sooner. ISO is the largest global standard-setting organization, and it believes that goal-setting, both mandatory and voluntary, is crucial in reducing GHG emissions and combatting climate change. ISO issued a new guidance document, ISO PAS 50010:2023, in January, which provides concrete recommendations for organizations to set and meet net zero energy and emissions goals. The document recommends developing a multi-year plan to progress from modest goals to more ambitious ones, resulting in ever-decreasing GHG emissions.
One key goal of ISO PAS 50010 is to harmonize definitions of important concepts such as net zero and renewable energy, in order to set mutually reinforcing targets. ISO believes that net zero is a more credible and preferable goal compared to carbon neutrality, as it includes all types of GHGs and considers upstream elements of the supply chain. ISO PAS 50010 recommends prioritizing energy performance improvement actions, such as increased energy efficiency, followed by transitioning to less carbon-intensive or clean renewable energy sources. The use of offsets is discouraged, and on-site renewables are preferred over off-site options.
ISO PAS 50010 also reconciles differences between various national and nonprofit-authored standards for net zero by providing a structured approach based on different choices of scopes and boundaries. The recommended levels of net zero, from weakest to strongest, include net zero energy, net zero carbon accounting for time of use, net zero carbon including construction and supply chain emissions, achieving level 3 plus transportation emissions, and meeting level 4 plus downstream usage and disposal emissions.
By providing explicit targets and operating methods, ISO 50010 can assist organizations in setting and achieving their net zero goals. Clear and mutually consistent targets aligned with climate science are essential in successfully reducing GHG emissions and addressing climate change. ISO’s guidance can help organizations prioritize energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other beneficial actions to effectively reduce their emissions and contribute to the global goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions before 2050.
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