17 June 2026 – Comments are being sought on the world's first international standard for net zero transition planning. Designed to help organizations of all sizes and sectors carry out credible, transparent transition planning, the ISO Net Zero Aligned Organizations Standard (ISO 14060) draft is opening for public consultation. When finalized, the independently verifiable standard will provide a globally negotiated and consensus-based framework to align operations with global climate goals for the first time in the history of the energy transition.
BSI, the UK’s national standards body, has convened the standard’s development in collaboration with Colombia’s ICONTEC. Developed through almost two years of international negotiations involving hundreds of experts across more than 170 countries, the consultation is now open for 12 weeks to comments from the British public, with national consensus votes to be submitted in early September.
The standard is designed to support organizations to prioritise energy security, manage and mitigate supply chain risks, bolster resilience to market volatility, and meet growing investor and regulatory expectations. Unlike disclosure-focused frameworks, the draft places emphasis on process, governance and verifiable action, turning net zero commitments into structured and independently auditable plans.
Net zero transition planning is increasingly becoming core business strategy to support sustainable, long-term growth and innovation. According to BSI's latest research the vast majority (83%) of G7 businesses remain committed to achieving net zero, with four in five saying that failing to prepare for climate change carries business resilience and financial risks. Yet barriers to action persist, and approximately a third said they wanted guidance to help them select and implement standards that will support their net zero journey and help them take action. The new standard has been designed to address exactly this challenge, providing the stable, globally recognised framework that businesses and investors have been calling for.
International standards already underpin 80% of global trade , and ISO 14060 is intended to offer a powerful market and policy support tool, translating voluntary best practice into a globally agreed, independently verifiable framework that can accelerate progress beyond voluntary action.
Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI said: “Two years ago, we announced the start of this important global process, convening government-recognized National Standards Bodies and their experts from around the world to bring clarity, credibility and trust to the energy transition. Reaching this milestone, with consensus achieved across hundreds of international experts in the process, is a significant achievement and a proud moment for BSI in demonstrating the UK’s global climate leadership.”
“In a time of growing economic and geopolitical uncertainty, businesses need stable ground rules that allow them to plan and act with confidence. The ISO Net Zero Aligned Organizations Standard provides a globally recognised framework that helps organizations build resilience, manage climate risk, and demonstrate that their business plans are future-proofed. We strongly encourage UK businesses, investors, policymakers and civil society to engage with this consultation to help accelerate our common progress towards a sustainable world.”
Noelia Garcia Nebra, Head of Sustainability and Partnerships at ISO, said “The proposed standard is aimed to help organizations of all sizes and sectors develop structured and verifiable approaches to net-zero-alignment.
“ISO 14060 has been developed to provide a globally agreed framework that helps organizations build credible transition plans while supporting resilience, innovation and long-term growth,” Ms Garcia Nebra said.
“International Standards play a critical role in scaling trusted best practice globally. By opening this draft for public consultation, we are inviting stakeholders worldwide to help shape an International Standard that reflects diverse market realities and supports practical implementation across regions and sectors.”
Dozens of organizations that have normalized best practice for different aspects of the net zero journey – CDP, SBTi, GRI, IFRS, ICVCM, WBCSD, VCMI, etc. (full list here) – have participated in the international standard’s development, contributing their expertise. The standard now takes the next step: converging that best practice into a comprehensive, independently verifiable, scalable International Standard recognized by markets and governments alike.
The launch comes ahead of London Climate Action Week, where BSI and ISO will convene partners and stakeholders on the role of the international standards system in supporting climate action. Discussions will explore how ISO 14060 and related initiatives, including the ISO–GHG Protocol partnership and ISO 32212, the transition planning standard for financial institutions, can help reduce fragmentation and support credible implementation across markets.
To contribute, governments, businesses of all sizes, academics and civil society actors can contact their National Standards Body and request to review the ISO 14060 Draft International Standard. For more information, please visit here iso.org/members.
