What is BS ISO 14068-1:2023 – Carbon neutrality – all about?

BSI Standards have released a new solution for carbon neutrality. Read more about it in our latest blog.

There’s no doubt that we ALL have a (big!) part to play in reaching net zero by 2050. Whatever organisation you are – no matter what your focus is – everyone needs to work hard to achieve carbon neutrality.

However, greenwashing, unsubstantiated emissions statements and unclear outlines around scope are creating barriers against organisations achieving carbon neutral status. For that reason, this ‘thing’ that we should all be throwing ourselves into with gusto can feel shrouded in confusion.

That’s why we were incredibly pleased to hear that BSI Standards had released a credible solution and brand new standard to follow: BS ISO 14068-1:2023. This new international standard aims to set out strong principles and detailed, verifiable requirements on quantification and the reduction (or removal) of GHG emissions. Here, we explore this new standard a little deeper.

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What is the BS ISO 14068-1:2023 standard on carbon neutrality?

BS ISO 14068-1:2023 is a standard that can be used by any organisation – whether in the private or public sectors – that wishes to make either the organisation or a product that it sells climate neutral.  

This carbon neutrality standard specifies principles, requirements and guidance for achieving (and demonstrating) carbon neutrality through the quantification, reduction, removal and offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions. 

It establishes a hierarchy for carbon neutrality. Essentially,  greenhouse gas emission reductions (direct and indirect) and increased removals enhancements take precedence over offsetting. This hierarchy is then used to outline a reputable and realistic pathway to carbon neutrality, including short and long-term targets for minimising the carbon footprint of an organisation and/or product.. 

Benefits of using BS ISO 14068-1:2023.

As outlined by BSI Standards, the reasons an organisation may choose to utilise BS ISO 14068-1:2023 include:

• Climate action. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 gives organisations a structured process for developing a detailed carbon neutrality management plan with short and long-term targets. It gives organisations an effective tool with which to combat the climate emergency.

• Quality. In contrast to unsubstantiated claims of neutrality, claims under BS ISO 14068-1:2023 have to be based on all GHGs, take a lifecycle approach and can only be made after the development of long-term planning, with real GHG reductions in place, and offsetting restricted to residual emissions using high quality carbon credits. Adopters can be confident that claims made using BS ISO 14068-1 are meaningful.
• Credibility. Use of this internationally recognized standard can likewise confer market benefits by increasing the credibility and verifiability of a product or organisational claim of carbon neutrality. Stakeholders can have increased confidence that claims are transparent and reliable, increasing their loyalty to organisations that adopt BS ISO 14068-1:2023.
• Global recognition. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 provides a common set of criteria for measuring and reporting carbon neutrality. This ensures consistency across different organisations and industries, underpins easier comparisons for carbon neutrality efforts between entities, allows stakeholders to assess and benchmark efforts, and supports global recognition for claims of carbon neutrality.
• Convenience. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 is designed to work with either ISO’s own quantification standards or other equivalent protocols.
• Flexibility. BS ISO 14068-1:2023 can be used by any sized organisation, in any country or sector. It can also be applied to whole organisations or individual products.
• Responsibility. The standard encourages organisations to take responsibility for minimising their own carbon footprint before paying third parties to offset their emissions.
• Cost effective. The standard’s hierarchy determines a pathway to carbon neutrality that prioritises emissions reductions. These are often the most cost-effective way of reducing a carbon footprint, avoiding the need for potentially costly carbon credits.
• Risk mitigation. Adopters of BS ISO 14068-1:2023 will be in a strong position to manage current and emerging regulatory and market risks in relation to GHG emissions.
• Competitiveness. A demonstrable commitment to climate action can also mitigate reputational risks and enhance brand value, market access and competitiveness.

You can find out more about how the new BSI standard on carbon neutrality can benefit your business by downloading their free executive briefing here.

To talk to someone from the Buildpass team about ways that you can achieve carbon neutrality within your next (or current!) construction or renovation project, drop us a line and we can arrange a free consultation.