ISO 14060 is the world’s first international standard for net zero
As New York Climate Week takes place from September 21 to 28, LRQA is calling on those in the energy and renewables sector to assess the readiness of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data ahead of the introduction of the world's first international standard for net zero, ISO 14060
The new voluntary standard will specify a globally accepted definition of what it means for an organisation to be net-zero aligned, establishing a common language for organisations, regulators, and partners.
Dan Krekelberg, climate strategy director at EcoEngineers, an LRQA company, and member of the ISO 14060 International Working Group, said, “ISO standards can drive real climate action by cutting through today’s confusion around net zero. Right now, organisations follow conflicting guidance or create their own targets. This makes it challenging to demonstrate progress on emissions reduction. ISO 14060 will change that, setting a globally agreed, consensus-built standard that brings clarity, consistency and credibility to net zero at the organisational level.”
The new proposed ISO standard, which was launched in 2024 and is now in the committee draft stage, will define how targets should be set, measured and delivered, align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, build on existing ISO standards, concentrate on organisational claims, and be verifiable, globally applicable and adaptable.
Businesses around the world have pledged to reach net zero emissions, but there is currently no international agreement that defines how to measure, report, and verify progress. A recent poll by LRQA found that only one in five organisations in the energy sector believes they have the data required to report progress credibly. Net Zero Tracker found that 4% of corporate targets currently meet the minimum robustness criteria, including clear interim goals, transparent data, or third-party verification.
Effectively tracking emissions data is challenging for businesses in the energy and renewables industry due to their long and complex supply chains, which often operate across borders with varying standards and disclosure requirements. This can lead to inconsistency, as partners may define and measure net zero differently, resulting in inaccurate data and progress tracking.
The lack of clarity undermines trust and invites greenwashing risks, making it challenging for organisations to align with regulation and stakeholder expectations.
LRQA encourage businesses and organisations to start preparing for the final publication of the new standard by focusing on five key areas:
- Strengthen emissions data quality and governance
- Align with existing climate disclosures with ISO 14064 and GHG Protocol
- Review current net-zero targets for transparency, scope and measurability
- Map mitigation pathways against science-based goals
- Assign internal ownership of the net-zero strategy and verification processes
Krekelberg said, “With energy companies looking to achieve net zero by 2040 and ahead of the International Maritime Organisation’s net zero framework for the shipping sector, the timing of the new standard is critical. It clearly aligns with regulations such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and California’s Climate Accountability Package (SB 253 and SB 261), which are making climate-related reporting and assurance more demanding. Transparency is key – not only for environmental permits, which are impacted by current emissions and environmental target results, but also by stakeholder and public perception."
“The most important step organisations within the energy and renewables sector can take now is to improve the quality of their emissions data. Without that, even the best targets risk losing credibility. “
