The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and its members took part in the 2023 United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28), organized by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was held in Dubai (UAE) from 30 November to 12 December.
At COP28, standardization bodies emphasized how international, European and national standards provide a fundamental tool to transform climate commitments into effective actions, accelerating climate action in areas such as the energy transition, clean energies, decarbonization, climate adaptation, guidelines for net zero, green and sustainable financing and others.
COP28 revealed the crucial role that standardization plays as a strategic tool to promote alliances, collaboration between all parties and best practices.
Clean hydrogen
Against this backdrop, Javier García, Vice-President of ISO and Director General of UNE, moderated the roundtable on "Global market for clean hydrogen - Harmonization of measurement, reporting, verification and certification", a UNFCCC event, on 10 December.
At the roundtable, leading global experts noted the importance of international standards for clean hydrogen. These standards are essential to ensure a comparable carbon footprint for the products and promote the global adoption of clean hydrogen.
Financing the circular economy
At events organized by the European Union and the Directorate General of the Environment, Javier García, together with the Deputy Chairman of the EIB (European Investment Bank), Ambroise Fayolle, took part in the session that analysed the current challenges to expanding the financing of the circular economy that offers solutions to climate change and loss of biodiversity. In this regard, it is essential to facilitate dialogue between the leading financial agents in the public and private sectors, standardization bodies, policymakers and other players in civil society. Standards play a crucial role in promoting the financing of the circular economy.
ISO and IFRS Foundation alliance
At COP28, ISO and IFRS Foundation announced a commitment to cooperate to achieve effective communication of information on the risks and opportunities related to sustainability. The report will be provided to organizations, especially SMEs, and the sustainability information will be subsequently verified.
ISO and IEC technical and international standards, European CEN and CENELEC standards, and Spanish UNE standards help organizations further their ESG goals while improving the soundness of their reporting. Including the use of these standards as part of the ESG report provides investors and stakeholders with sustainability information on a solid and recognized basis; while also facilitating the work of the verifiers and auditors of this information.
Standards and SDGs
Javier García also took part in the session "Accreditation to comply with climate commitments and the SDGs", which took place on 8 December in the ISO pavilion. This event underscored how international standards and accreditation can guarantee the credibility and accountability of climate action and the SDGs, which is vital to measuring, reporting and verifying the climate commitment to accelerate global action. Standards make it easier for organizations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
