The global drive to limit climate change caused by human activity is getting stronger. COP26, the United Nations climate change conference held in 2021, was a turning point for climate change attitudes across the globe, and subsequent COPs have focused on speeding the energy transition, improving efficiency, strengthening adaptation, and advancing climate finance.
With climate impacts increasingly visible, expectations on organisations are rising. ISO 14001 can support organisations in strengthening environmental governance, integrating climate considerations into day-to-day operations, and driving continual improvement.
Why Is COP Important?
Since the first meeting in Berlin in 1995, major milestones have included the Kyoto Protocol (COP3) and the Paris Agreement (COP21), where nations committed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees, ideally below 1.5.
COP decisions influence national policy, regulation, finance, and market expectations, shaping the wider environment in which organisations operate. Recent summits have focused on accelerating the energy transition, improving efficiency, cutting methane, strengthening adaptation, and advancing climate finance.
A Major Turning Point
COP26 marked a major turning point in the global response to climate change. For the first time, nearly every country agreed on the urgent need to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C, an aim that requires reaching net zero emissions by the middle of this century.
At COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, 2022), the Loss and Damage Fund was agreed to support vulnerable countries, with operational arrangements finalised at COP28 (Dubai, 2023).
Since COP28, countries completed the first Global Stocktake assessing progress under the Paris Agreement and called for tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. They also emphasised a transition away from fossil fuels.
At COP29 (Baku, 2024), countries agreed on a new global climate finance goal of $300 billion annually by 2035 to replace the previous $100 billion goal, with ongoing details to be finalised.
In the UK, these outcomes are influencing policy developments and organisational expectations, including:
- Changes to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme
- The legally binding Zero Emission Vehicle mandate
- Mandatory climate‑related financial disclosures for certain sectors
- Voluntary guidance from the Transition Plan Taskforce
- New UK sustainability disclosure standards being developed under the Financial Reporting Council
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has made clear that some climate impacts, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather, are now unavoidable even if net zero emissions are reached. This makes urgent adaptation alongside emission reductions essential to manage increasing risks globally.
However, rapid and ambitious, sustainable actions can still limit the scale of damage and help communities adapt. Businesses will have a pivotal role to play in proactively reducing carbon emissions and complying with increasingly stringent requirements.
Climate Challenges Facing UK Organisations
Recent years have brought increased flooding and extreme weather events across the country. Organisations with operations in floodplains or near rivers are reassessing their risk plans. Infrastructure is under strain from prolonged periods of high temperatures, which can increase energy costs due to air conditioning and disrupt operations.
Beyond physical risks, organisations must also navigate rapidly changing policies.
The UK government continues to introduce green regulations and incentives to drive decarbonisation across every sector. Financial institutions, investors, and customers are increasingly scrutinising organisations’ environmental performance.
Those who fail to implement effective climate impact plans may be at a competitive disadvantage or face higher costs and legal risks.
Many organisations are still developing the capability to assess climate‑related risks across operations and supply chains and to align disclosures with evolving guidance.
What This Means for Businesses
- Regulatory requirements are evolving, with more detailed climate-related disclosures and emissions targets now expected.
- Market expectations continue to rise, with investors, customers, and partners increasingly focused on transparent environmental performance.
- Physical impacts of climate change, including flooding and extreme weather, are becoming more frequent and can disrupt operations and supply chains.
ISO 14001 provides a recognised structure for systematically managing these environmental challenges and demonstrating a commitment to continual improvement.
ISO 14001 In a World of Climate Change
ISO 14001 certification can help organisations systematically manage environmental risks and identify improvement opportunities.
First published in 1996 and now adopted by thousands of organisations in the UK, ISO 14001 is an international management system standard that sets requirements to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an Environmental Management System (EMS).
ISO 14001 is designed to be flexible and scalable for all types of organisations, regardless of size or sector. At its core, it requires organisations to identify their environmental impacts, set clear objectives for improvement, regularly monitor progress, and make continual improvements.
In the context of climate change, this includes assessing risks such as flooding or heatwaves, which organisations must evaluate as part of their own EMS planning.
As highlighted by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), an effective EMS can be a powerful driver of climate action. It ensures that climate-related goals are embedded into business strategy, not treated as an afterthought.
Learn more about this standard with our Ultimate Guide to ISO 14001.
The Evolving Role of ISO 14001
COP26 marked a shift in ambition. Since then, subsequent COPs have focused on delivery, raising expectations on organisations and their EMS. The emphasis is now on contributing to a low‑carbon, climate‑resilient economy, alongside broader environmental performance.
In this context, ISO 14001 can help organisations to:
- Link EMS objectives to climate-related environmental aspects, such as energy efficiency, emissions reduction, or procurement of renewable electricity.
- Integrate climate risks and opportunities into operations and the supply chain.
- Strengthen competence, awareness, and internal communication to support environmental responsibility.
- Generate reliable data through monitoring, measurement, and review to support regulatory and stakeholder disclosures.
Many ISO 14001‑certified organisations are incorporating greenhouse gas reduction targets, increasing renewable energy use, and engaging suppliers to improve sustainability across the value chain.
By systematically identifying risks and opportunities, organisations can adapt more quickly to changing legislation and evolving best practice. This proactive approach could help protect the environment and support business resilience and reputation.
Read about how to build a sustainable supply chain.
Become ISO 14001-certified
The message from science, policy, and society is clear: climate action cannot wait. While the challenge is significant, achieving ISO 14001 certification is a practical and credible way to demonstrate an organisation’s commitment to environmental management and continual improvement.
Request a free quote today or contact our expert team to begin your ISO 14001 certification journey.
