To learn more about how BS ISO 14068-1 can benefit your organization, download the free Executive Briefing here.
What is BS ISO 14068-1:2023 - Carbon neutrality about?
Greenwashing, obfuscations of scope and unsubstantiated emissions statements are not helping organizations to achieve and evidence climate or carbon neutrality. For a more credible alternative, BS ISO 14068-1:2023 is a new international standard setting out strong principles and detailed and verifiable requirements on quantification and reduction or removal of GHG emissions. Users gain clear, best practice guidance that will allow them to make verifiable claims of carbon or climate neutrality.
There will be a period of 24 months from the date of publication of ISO 14068-1:2023 before the PAS 2060:2014 document will be withdrawn. This is to allow users to address changes that may be needed to meet the revised requirements detailed in the new BS ISO 14068-1:2023 standard.
Who is BS ISO 14068-1:2023 - Carbon neutrality for?
BS ISO 14068-1:2023 can be used by any organization, in the private or public sectors, that wishes to make either the organization or a product climate neutral. Organizations can be of any size, but exclude territories such as cities. Products may be consumer-facing or business to business, and include all types of goods and services, including events and financial services.
What does BS ISO 14068-1:2023 - Carbon neutrality cover?
BS ISO 14068-1:2023 specifies principles, requirements and guidance for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality through the quantification, reduction, removal and offsetting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 establishes a hierarchy for carbon neutrality where GHG emission reductions (direct and indirect) and increased GHG removals enhancements take precedence over offsetting. The hierarchy is then used to determine a pathway to carbon neutrality, including short and long-term targets for minimizing the carbon footprint.
Why should you use BS ISO 14068-1:2023 - Carbon neutrality
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Climate action. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 gives organizations a structured process for developing a detailed carbon neutrality management plan with short- and long-term targets. It gives organizations an effective tool with which to combat the climate emergency.
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Quality. In contrast to unsubstantiated claims of neutrality, claims under BS ISO 14068-1:2023 have to be based on all GHGs, take a lifecycle approach and can only be made after the development of long-term planning, with real GHG reductions in place, and offsetting restricted to residual emissions using high quality carbon credits. Adopters can be confident that claims made using BS ISO 14068-1 are meaningful.
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Credibility. Use of this internationally recognized standard can likewise confer market benefits by increasing the credibility and verifiability of a product or organizational claim of carbon neutrality. Stakeholders can have increased confidence that claims are transparent and reliable, increasing their loyalty to organizations that adopt BS ISO 14068-1:2023.
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Global recognition. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 provides a common set of criteria for measuring and reporting carbon neutrality. This ensures consistency across different organizations and industries, underpins easer comparisons for carbon neutrality efforts between entities, allows stakeholders to assess and benchmark efforts, and supports global recognition for claims of carbon neutrality.
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Convenience. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 is designed to work with either ISO’s own quantification standards or other equivalent protocols.
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Flexibility. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 can be used by any sized organization, in any country or sector. It can also be applied to whole organizations or individual products.
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Responsibility. The standard encourages organizations to take responsibility for minimizing their own carbon footprint before paying third parties to offset their emissions.
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Cost effective. The standard’s hierarchy determines a pathway to carbon neutrality that prioritizes emissions reductions. These are often the most cost-effective way of reducing a carbon footprint, avoiding the need for potentially costly carbon credits.
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Risk mitigation. Adopters of BS ISO 14068-1:2023 will be in a strong position to manage current and emerging regulatory and market risks in relation to GHG emissions.
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Competitiveness. A demonstrable commitment to climate action can also mitigate reputational risks and enhance brand value, market access and competitiveness.
