Considering Climate Change in ISO 50001

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) have published two climate action amendments for existing and new management systems.  These amendments, which were published in February 2024, are part of ISO’s commitment to climate action and support the ISO London Declaration on Climate Change.

The amendments fall under Clauses 4.1 and 4.2.  Many organizations may already be considering the impact of climate change under these clauses as internal or external issues, and/or as part of understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties.  However, the amendments now make it a requirement that organizations explicitly consider climate change and incorporate any relevant aspects into their management system.

It should be noted that these changes are not a new standard, and there is no need for re-certification at this time. These short amendments are also available for free download.  To learn more about ISO’s revision process, read this article from Quality Digest.

Here are the changes, which fall under Section 4:

4.1 Understanding the organization and its context.

The organization shall determine external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and that affect its ability to achieve the intended outcome(s) of its EnMS and improve its energy performance.

Text added to the end of subclause:
The organization shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue. 

4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties.

The organization shall determine:

• • The interested parties that are relevant to energy performance and the EnMS.
  • The relevant requirements of these interested parties.
  • Which of the identified needs and expectations does the organization address through its EnMS.

The organization shall:

• • Ensure that it has access to the applicable legal requirements and other requirements related to its energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption.
  • Determine how these requirements apply to its energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption.
  • Ensure that these requirements are taken into account.
  • Review at defined intervals its legal requirements and other requirements.

Note added to the end of subclause:
NOTE: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.