ISO to Develop First International NetZero Standard by COP30

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is developing its first international standard on net zero, set to launch at COP30 in November 2025. The new standard aims to provide a global solution for organizations transitioning to net zero emissions, offering clarity, comprehensive climate action requirements, and the potential for independent verification.

The initiative, announced at London Climate Action Week by Noelia Garcia, Head of Sustainability, ISO, will involve thousands of experts collaborating through national standards bodies across over 170 countries. The development process will consider the latest climate science, and a public consultation is expected to open later in 2025 to incorporate global input.

This new standard is an evolution of the ISO Net Zero Guidelines launched at COP27. The guidelines were designed to help organizations create comprehensive net zero strategies based on credible best practices. The upcoming standard will enhance public confidence and guard against greenwashing by providing robust guidance and requirements to verify the credibility of net zero claims. The British Standards Institution (BSI), in its role as the UK National Standards Body, will convene the process in collaboration with ICONTEC, Colombia’s National Standards Body.

ISO emphasized its commitment to supporting the net zero transition, aiming to deliver an international standard suitable for organizations of all sizes, sectors, and geographies. The new standard will enable independently verified and comprehensive climate action, accelerating progress toward a sustainable world.