The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) launched its Net Zero Guidelines (denominated International Workshop Agreement IWA 42) during the latest COP27. The document provides guiding principles and recommendations to enable a common approach with a high level of ambition, to drive organizations to achieve net zero GHGs as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest. It is intended to be a common reference for governance organizations (including voluntary initiatives, adoption of standards, policy and national and international regulation), and can help organizations taking action to contribute to achieving global net zero.

The Net Zero Guidelines (IWA 42) were commissioned by “Our 2050 World”, a global collaboration to accelerate action towards net zero through standards. The collaboration includes ISO, the Race to Zero campaign and the UNFCCC’s Global Innovation Hub.

An IWA is reviewed three years after its publication and can be further processed to become a Publicly Available Specification, a Technical Specification or an International Standard, according to the market requirement.