BSI seeking climate adaptation and natural capital standards advice

BSI Group is seeking input from interested parties regarding potential new climate adaptation and natural capital standards, BusinessGreen reports. The group is seeking to update its range of sustainability management standards, under which climate adaptation and natural capital management fall.

BSI announced earlier this month that it plans to update its suite of standards regarding climate adaptation and define the steps businesses can take to address their impact on the planet's climate. It was noted that international standards could potentially be developed to help natural capital management initiatives, and that those interested in developing a strategy and potential new standard should get in touch.

On 12 January, BSI stopped accepting input regarding its ISO 20400 sustainable procurement standard. This is expected to be published towards the end of 2016 and is designed to build on BS 8903 – the first standard to create an approach that minimizes the environmental impact of procurement practices.

Along with the introduction of ISO 20400 later in the year, BSI also announced that it still aims to launch ISO 14004 on 1 March. ISO 14004 is being dubbed the 'sister standard' to ISO 14001, the environmental management standard.

Commenting on these developments, BSI issued the following statement:

"ISO 14004, 'Environmental management systems – Guidelines on implementation' can help organizations of any size or sector to implement an environmental management system."

It was noted that the draft standard provides hints and tips on 'setting an environmental policy' and 'thinking about environmental aspects and impacts'.

It is hoped that as the year progresses, the regulatory body will be able to provide greater guidance on any revised standards and best practices for climate adaptation.