What is ISO 14068?
ISO 14068 is an international standard for climate change management and carbon neutrality. It provides principles, requirements and guidance for organisations seeking to achieve and demonstrate carbon neutrality through the measurement, reduction and offsetting of their carbon footprint.
The standard establishes a structured approach to carbon neutrality, helping organisations understand their greenhouse gas emissions, identify opportunities to reduce their environmental impact and demonstrate that their carbon neutrality claims are credible.
Rather than relying primarily on carbon offsetting, ISO 14068 prioritises reducing direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing removals within an organisation’s value chain. Offsetting is considered after appropriate emissions reduction and removal measures have been implemented.
The standard can be applied to a range of subjects, including organisations, products, services, buildings and events.
For businesses looking to strengthen their environmental credentials, ISO 14068 provides a recognised framework for demonstrating a structured and transparent approach to carbon neutrality.
Understanding Your Organisation’s Carbon Footprint
An important part of achieving carbon neutrality is understanding the greenhouse gas emissions associated with your organisation’s activities.
Before meaningful reduction measures can be introduced, organisations need to establish what they are measuring, identify the relevant emissions sources and determine the boundaries of their carbon footprint.
This can involve considering direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, indirect emissions associated with purchased energy and other relevant indirect emissions throughout the value chain.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A key principle of ISO 14068 is that organisations should prioritise reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing removals before considering offsetting.
For many organisations, this means reviewing existing operations to identify where emissions can be reduced.
Potential opportunities may include improving energy efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, reviewing transportation arrangements, changing procurement practices, improving waste management and working with suppliers to reduce value chain emissions.
The most appropriate measures will depend on your organisation’s activities, resources and emissions profile.
Carbon Offsetting and Residual Emissions
Even after implementing emissions reduction measures, organisations may still have greenhouse gas emissions that cannot currently be eliminated.
ISO 14068 provides requirements for addressing these remaining emissions through appropriate carbon offsetting arrangements.
However, offsetting should not be treated as a substitute for reducing emissions within your organisation and its value chain.
Developing a Carbon Neutrality Management Plan
ISO 14068 requires organisations to establish a structured approach to achieving carbon neutrality.
A carbon neutrality management plan provides a framework for setting commitments, identifying reduction opportunities, monitoring progress and addressing any remaining emissions.
Demonstrating and Communicating Carbon Neutrality
Making a carbon neutrality claim is a significant commitment. Organisations need to ensure that any public statements about their environmental performance are supported by appropriate information and evidence.
ISO 14068 provides requirements for demonstrating carbon neutrality and communicating relevant information transparently.
How Can Assent Help With ISO 14068?
Understanding the requirements of ISO 14068 and putting them into practice can be challenging, particularly when organisations are measuring their carbon footprint and developing their first carbon neutrality strategy.
Assent Risk Management provides independent consultancy to help organisations understand and implement the requirements of the standard.
Our consultants can work with your organisation to assess existing environmental arrangements, identify areas for improvement and develop a practical approach to managing greenhouse gas emissions.
Depending on your requirements, our support can include:
- Reviewing your existing environmental management arrangements.
- Helping establish the scope and boundaries of your carbon neutrality commitment.
- Supporting greenhouse gas emissions measurement and carbon footprint assessments.
- Reviewing existing emissions reduction initiatives.
- Developing a carbon neutrality management plan.
- Identifying opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Supporting the management of residual emissions and carbon offsetting arrangements.
- Reviewing documentation and supporting evidence.
- Preparing for independent verification or assessment.
- Supporting continual improvement and ongoing environmental performance monitoring.
Our approach is tailored to your organisation, helping ensure that your carbon neutrality strategy is practical, achievable and aligned with the requirements of ISO 14068.
ISO 14068 and Other Environmental Standards
ISO 14068 can complement other environmental and greenhouse gas management standards, helping organisations establish a more comprehensive approach to environmental performance.
ISO 14001
Environmental Management
Provides a framework for managing environmental responsibilities, identifying environmental impacts and improving environmental performance.
ISO 14064
Carbon Footprint
Provides requirements and guidance for quantifying, reporting and verifying greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
ISO 14067
Carbon Footprint of Products
Establishes principles and requirements for quantifying the carbon footprint of products throughout their life cycle.
