ISO 14001 and greenhouse gas emissions

The updated edition of ISO 14001 is now published. This international environmental management systems standard has been helping organisations manage their environmental impact for thirty years.

Until now, there has been no clear evidence of its impact on emissions intensity at the national scale.

Preliminary new research🡭 from the Standards Council of Canada shows that a 1% increase in ISO 14001 certifications is associated with a 0.14% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP. The finding draws on more than two decades of real-world adoption, across economies at every stage of development.

As the world’s most widely used environmental management standard, its benefits are now supported by stronger evidence than ever before.

Researching what ISO 14001 does for economies

Researchers analysed data from 83 countries over more than two decades. The study found a clear and consistent link between ISO 14001 certifications and lower greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic output.

The finding does not stem from one company, one sector or one country, rather, it reflects a consistent pattern that emerges across countries over time. The research also shows that countries with stronger governance, better enforcement capacity and more developed regulatory frameworks see the greatest results.

In high-income countries, the relationship between ISO 14001 certifications and lower emissions is most pronounced. In middle-income countries, meaningful results still emerge.

Investment in standardisation systems yields measurable environmental benefits.

Source: Standards Council of Canada.