As the world races to achieve net zero emissions, defining what ‘good net zero’ looks like has been a crucial challenge. Without clear benchmarks, inconsistent claims risk undermining credibility and slowing real progress. Over the past few years, significant strides have been made to strengthen integrity in net zero action.

The Race to Zero Campaign took a major step in 2020 by establishing robust criteria to define high-integrity net zero commitments. Meanwhile, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) advanced net zero guidelines to help companies align their strategies with science, launching the Corporate Net-Zero Standard in 2021 ahead of COP 26. 

Building on this momentum and growing demand for clarity on clear, credible net zero criteria to be reflected in global governance, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) convened over 1,200 experts from more than 100 countries in 2022 to develop the ISO Net Zero Guidelines. For the first time, these guidelines integrated net zero criteria into the international standards system, providing an end-to-end set of principles and recommendations. Launched at COP 27 with the UN Climate Champions, this milestone marked a significant step in scaling global accountability. This work was further reinforced by the UN Secretary-General’s Expert Group, which in 2022, launched the Integrity Matters report, setting further guardrails against greenwashing.

Building on these efforts, ISO is converting the ISO Net Zero Guidelines into an international standard: The ISO Net Zero Standard - a global international standard designed to scale credible, comparable, and verifiable net zero commitments. The International Standard is expected to pave the way for a stronger, more enabling policy and regulatory environment for corporate decarbonisation, levelling the playing field and increasing investment. 

We spoke with Noelia Garcia Nebra, Head of Sustainability and Partnerships at ISO on the status of the upcoming International Standard, its potential to foster trust in green supply chains, and support climate policy.

Why is ISO creating the Net Zero Standard?

Net zero is our strongest tool against the climate crisis - as a scientific framework to curb greenhouse gases, while offering myriad economic, social and health advantages. 

But, if you ask business leaders, “What does net zero mean?” you may receive a variety of answers. As a result, not all net zero targets are created equal. But, the good news is that net zero standards now converge on the fundamental definitions of net zero.  

The ISO Net Zero Guidelines were launched at COP 27 to guide organizations in setting net zero strategies. And the forthcoming ISO Net Zero Standard will further solidify this common global framework, helping organizations to set meaningful decarbonisation targets.

This, in turn, will encourage green supply chains, unleash innovation, and unlock trade in net zero products and services - which are all pivotal mechanisms for tackling climate change.  

How will the ISO Net Zero Standard build trust in green supply chains and prevent greenwashing?

Net zero is a corporate norm. Today nearly 60% of the largest global corporations have set net zero targets or pledges. But a key reason that corporate emissions are still rising is that more than three quarters of corporate climate commitments do not include scope 3, or supply chain emissions. The majority of corporate emissions footprints -  up to 95% - are scope 3. Yet, most businesses are not ‘grasping the nettle’ by measuring, and reducing  value chain emissions.

To progress, companies must exchange reliable comparable information and data on progress against their climate plans. An international standard that all companies can adhere to will ensure that firms are all speaking the same language when it comes to decarbonisation. Through a consistent, standardized approach global supply chains can move forward faster, as one, unlocking stronger action.

Currently, most net zero commitments are voluntary, leaving space for inconsistencies and proliferation of different metric frameworks. Voluntary frameworks such as the SBTi certify corporate net zero pledges and interim targets, while Race to Zero partner initiatives like Exponential Roadmap conduct their own assessments to uphold ambition and integrity.

The ISO Net Zero Standard will complement these efforts by introducing a globally recognized international standard for third-party verification, ensuring that net zero claims can be rigorously and independently validated.

By scaling credibility and transparency, the ISO Net Zero Standard can cement trust in net zero commitments from businesses’ investors, regulators, employees, and consumers. It will also support efforts to cut embodied carbon in products, from cars to clean energy technologies—reinforcing alignment between voluntary frameworks and international standards to drive progress.

What’s the status of the ISO Net Zero Standard? 

The ISO Net Zero Standard is currently being developed by an international working group comprising hundreds of experts from diverse sectors, including policymakers, the private sector, academia, NGOs, and civil society, from across the globe. Thousands of experts are expected to collaborate through national standards bodies across more than 170 countries, taking into account the latest climate science. 

Inclusivity is a key principle in the design of the international standard. Ensuring that all voices are heard takes time, but it is fundamental for developing a truly global standard that will be widely adopted and effective in driving net zero commitments worldwide. 

The British Standards Institute (BSI), and ICONTEC, the national standards bodies of the UK and Colombia respectively, are co-convening with governments, private sector stakeholders, and civil society in the international process to develop the international standard. 

Significantly, their international counterparts from around the world are part of (or appointed by) their governments to fulfil their roles. This structure of government-appointed National Standards Bodies connected globally through the international standards system, ensures that policymakers are integrated into this global system of quality infrastructure. The system of standards, accreditation, assurance, measurement and monitoring - underpins market trust and economic cooperation. 

In turn, when it comes to informing policy design and setting future regulations, such as mandatory disclosures and transition plans, those governments are expected to draw from recognised international standards developed through international consensus-based processes. This approach helps facilitate economic cooperation and prevent technical barriers to trade.

By equipping national stakeholders with the skills to - not only design - but actually apply the international standard, we can ensure that businesses everywhere —regardless of economic standing—are included in the global net zero transition. 

A global public consultation is expected to open later in 2025 to gather input from stakeholders around the world. Following this, the final publication of the ISO Net Zero Standard is anticipated by early 2026, marking a major milestone in the journey to net zero emissions.

Which companies are leading the way in aligning with ISO’s Net Zero Framework?

Many organizations have begun using the ISO Net Zero Guidelines, which launched in 2022, in collaboration with Race to Zero, as a net zero planning tool. BSI has compiled a collection of case studies highlighting organizations that have done so - and that will hopefully also implement the Net Zero Standard.

Examples include Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governance association of the world's leading motor sports organizations. Significantly, after adopting the Guidelines, the FIA upgraded its ‘carbon neutrality’ target to a ‘net zero’ target, while remaining committed to a 50% reduction target by 2030, as set out in the Guidelines.

The ISO Net Zero Guidelines have also been instrumental in progressing the net zero journeys of General Motors, America’s largest car company. Since GM started aligning with the Guidelines in 2023, they have made significant changes in their leadership and governance, such as linking executive compensation directly to their transition to electric vehicles. In addition, Race to Zero partner, Planet Mark, has expanded its policy engagement function in recognition of the Guidelines’ recommendations for scaling climate action beyond the value chain.

How can global trade accelerate climate action?

Global trade acts as a powerful accelerator of climate action as it underpins the diffusion of low-carbon technologies and sustainable goods and services. International environmental standards are essential facilitators of trade. By establishing a common language, international standards make green goods more tradable, for example, encouraging the adoption of eco-labeling, green supply chains and - by defining how products and materials can be exchanged between countries to support a circular economy.

Establishing standards also helps overcome barriers to early-stage deployment caused by international competition, especially in areas such as energy - where some zero-emission technologies remain more expensive than fossil-fuel alternatives. This, in turn, scales global adoption of innovation, driving down costs quickly. The potential for trade in net zero technologies is massive, but to realise this, standards are key to foster trust between nations.

How does the International Standard complement and reinforce existing voluntary initiatives like Race to Zero?

The Race to Zero has played a key role in stimulating, informing and shaping climate action from 15,000 entities. Also, the establishment of the Race to Zero criteria for high-integrity net zero commitments set a global benchmark for credible climate action. The criteria were developed through an inclusive process with expert input from key actors— from businesses, to cities, regions, financial institutions, and universities—to align with the latest science, by prioritizing immediate, deep emissions reductions.

By establishing a common framework for ambition and accountability, the Race to Zero laid the groundwork for further standardization efforts, influencing the development of net zero guidelines by initiatives such as the ‘Integrity Matters’ Report, endorsed by the UN Secretary-General and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The ISO Net Zero Standard will build on this momentum, offering a globally recognized verification framework to ensure commitments translate into real, measurable progress.

How can international standards put net zero on the road to regulation?

When new regulations set a goal for business, such as to become ‘1.5° C-aligned’ - often the first question companies ask is, “Ok, so how do we comply?” The ISO Net Zero Standard will provide the answer by outlining tried and tested good practices to achieve goals in a structured and transparent way. This ensures that businesses can meet regulatory expectations efficiently while aligning with global sustainability objectives.

Professor Thomas Hale’s ‘Net Zero Conveyor Belt’ governance model highlights how voluntary action from actors such as cities and businesses, and orchestration initiatives like the Race to Zero, lead to standards and, ultimately, to regulation that locks in progress. 

To advance regulation, it’s vital that these actors work efficiently together. For example, we  need climate regulators to consider and take into account how international standards can help businesses to implement their goals - not only through reporting standards, but also management system standards that guide decision-making in organizations and support implementation.