Climate change and GHG
Climate change is determined by the progressive increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. This increase is caused by anthropogenic emissions of these same greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, resulting from the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and changes in land use, as well as various industrial processes.
Climate change is both an environmental and a development problem, with potentially profound impacts on society, the economy and ecosystems. Mitigating climate change involves limiting and reducing greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Climate change mitigation represents both a challenge and an opportunity to introduce more rational and sustainable patterns of production and consumption, the benefits of which extend beyond their climatic components.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions also brings benefits in terms of limiting toxic emissions, improving health, economic savings through energy efficiency or the introduction of new processes, promoting renewable energy sources, identifying opportunities to participate in carbon markets, and generally improving the strategic position for the sustainable development of the company itself.
Regulations related to climate change and GHG
There are several international standards related to climate change and greenhouse gases (GHG). The most relevant are:
ISO standards on GHG and climate change
- ISO 14064 (series). We highlight ISO 14064-1 → specifies principles and requirements for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions and removals at the organisational level. ISO 14064-2 → aimed at projects to reduce emissions or increase GHG removals.
- ISO 14067 → calculation of the carbon footprint of products.
- ISO 14068 (series) → climate neutrality management and carbon neutral certification.
Related management standards
- ISO 14001 and EMAS – Environmental management. Includes the management of significant environmental aspects such as GHG emissions and climate change.
- ISO 50001 – Energy management. Seeks to improve energy efficiency and reduce indirect GHG emissions.
- ISO 53002 for achieving the SDGs.
- ISO 26000 – Corporate social responsibility → integrates climate change as a matter of social responsibility.
Other international references
- GHG Protocol (WRI/WBCSD) → standard for measuring and managing GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2 and 3).
- GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards** → specific indicators for GHG emissions (GRI 305) and climate change management. The GRI sustainability report is produced in accordance with these standards.
- TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) → guidelines for financial disclosure of climate risks and opportunities.
- SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)** → methodology for setting GHG reduction targets in line with the Paris Agreement.