Management systems and climate change

Since management systems were first defined in the West, they have developed to cover specific sectors – quality, environment, occupational health and safety, social responsibility, food safety, etc – each with their own, dedicated standards.

The escalating climate crisis, however, demands a coordinated global response that transcends traditional boundaries. Organisations – both public and private – have a pivotal role to play in mitigating and adapting to this challenge.

Effective management systems can serve as powerful tools to guide these efforts, aligning business objectives with the imperative of environmental sustainability. Management systems such as ISO 14001 Environmental management Systems – Requirements with guidance for use and ISO 26000 Social responsibility provide specific frameworks and requisites for organisations to identify, assess and manage environmental and social risks.

"Management systems can contribute significantly to achieving the ambitious goals set by international treaties such as the Paris Agreement."

Pedro Mejias, Senior Auditor with Consorcio Kaizen, Venezuela

By implementing these systems, organisations can:

• measure and reduce their carbon footprint: quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions enables organisations to set reduction targets and implement strategies to achieve them.
• enhance resource efficiency: optimising the use of energy, water and materials reduces waste and environmental impact.
• mitigate climate risks: identifying and assessing potential climate-related risks, such as extreme weather events or supply chain disruptions, allows organisations to develop contingency plans.
• foster sustainability culture: integrating environmental and social considerations into organisational decision-making processes creates a culture of sustainability that encourages innovation and responsible practices.

Role of management systems in achieving climate goals

Management systems can contribute significantly to achieving the ambitious goals set by international treaties such as the Paris Agreement. For example:

• Reducing GHG emissions: ISO 14001 can be used to establish a systematic approach to reducing GHG emissions, aligning with national and international targets. • Promoting renewable energy: organisations can use management systems to identify opportunities for adopting renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power.
• Adapting to climate change: by assessing climate risks and developing adaptation strategies, organisations can enhance their resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• Engaging with stakeholders: management systems can facilitate dialogue with stakeholders – including employees, customers, suppliers and communities – to address climate-related concerns and build partnerships.

These aspects are very important in establishing an environmental protection management system, but they are not requirements of other management systems, which, therefore, do not touch upon them.

However, environmental care has transcended the standards that specifically contain requirements on this area and permeated others. In 2024, ISO introduced two new statements of text into 31 existing Type A management system standards, requiring organisations to consider whether climate change is a relevant issue for their operations and for their interested parties. In this amendment, we see, for the first time, a global problem being addressed by a standard requirement, so that all organisations can structurally support efforts to mitigate climate change.

By transcending the specific scope of quality management, the standard begins to move to the scope of environmental protection, and management systems respond to a single purpose, a unique goal, a single name.