Standards on Adaptation to Climate Change

Climate change impacts are affecting ecological and socio-economic systems. Impacts will continue well into the future. Organisations have increasing needs to understand, mitigate and manage climate change risks with International Standards


Technical committee



Related standards or drafts


Project

Adaptation to climate change - Principles, requirements and guidelines (ISO 14090:2019)

60.60 Standard published

CEN/BT

Adaptation to climate change - Guidelines on vulnerability, impacts and risk assessment (ISO 14091:2021)

60.60 Standard published

CEN/BT

Climate change management — Transition to net zero — Part 1: Carbon neutrality

60.60 Standard published

ISO/TC 207/SC 7

Adaptation to climate change — Requirements and guidance on adaptation planning for local governments and communities

90.60 Close of review

ISO/TC 207/SC 7

Drinking water, wastewater and storm water systems and services — Adaptation of water services to climate change impacts — Part 1: Assessment principles

60.60 Standard published

ISO/TC 224

Mechanism for financing local adaptation to climate change — Performance-based climate resilience grants — Requirements and guidelines

60.60 Standard published

ISO/TC 207/SC 7

Greenhouse gas management and related activities — Framework including principles and requirements for assessing and reporting investments and financing activities related to climate change

60.60 Standard published

ISO/TC 207/SC 7

International and European EN ISO 14090 Family of Standards con Adaptation to Climate Change are providing tools for companies to better manage climate change associated risks.

Climate change, a pressing concern due to increasing global temperatures, rising sea levels, and frequent extreme weather events, necessitates necessary adaptation strategies. The European and International standards provide valuable frameworks for organizations and authorities to adapt and respond effectively to these environmental risks.

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) adopts ISO International standards as European standards in order to lay out guidelines for adaptation to climate change that are essential for aiding businesses and policy planners in making informed decisions. These standards can also help sectors vulnerable to climate change such as agriculture, forestry, energy, and construction prepare against extreme weather events like floods, storms, and heatwaves.

Similarly, international standards like ISO 14090, established by the International Standards Organization (ISO), offer specification on adaptation to climate change. It offers principles, requirements, and guidelines for an adaptation process, incorporating vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning, implementation, and the evaluation of adaptive actions (source: ISO 14090:2019 - Adaptation to climate change).

These standards provide a planned approach to manage climate-induced risks by strengthening adaptive capacity, reducing vulnerability, and promoting resilience. They consider various future climate scenarios to ensure organizations can anticipate and respond effectively to climate change impacts.

Further, these standards emphasize engaging stakeholders, harnessing local knowledge, maintaining biodiversity, and ensuring transparency. They help organizations demonstrate good governance, meet legislative requirements, maintain services, and ensure the welfare of their employees and communities.

Therefore, European and International standards play a pivotal role in guiding and facilitating effective responses to climate change. Adaptation to climate change, guided by such robust standards, greatly enhances an organization's resilience and ability to thrive under changing environmental conditions.