### Integrating Climate Change Considerations into Management Systems: A Step Forward for Organizations

In recent years, climate change has emerged as one of the most significant challenges for organizations worldwide. Acknowledging the urgency of the issue and the importance of a systemic approach in its management, new guidelines have been introduced by international entities aimed at guiding organizations towards more responsible behavior within the context of sustainability.

In a joint statement, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) announced the imminent introduction of regulatory changes aimed at integrating climate change issues within management system standards. This change represents a clear signal of how crucial it is to address environmental issues in the daily operations of businesses.

### Climate Change as a Strategic Priority

The adoption of changes related to climate change will be accompanied by the inclusion of two important clauses in existing management standards and in new regulations under development. Organizations will need to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue for their operations and will have to consider the needs of stakeholders connected to this theme.

This implies a paradigm shift for organizations, which are now urged to review their policies and practices by incorporating environmental considerations into their decision-making processes. This means not only evaluating the risks associated with climate change but also recognizing the broader context in which they operate and the responsibilities that arise from it.

### The Importance of Risk Assessment

In the context of management standards, risk assessment plays a fundamental role. It is essential for organizations to identify the risk factors related to climate change and assess their relevance within the framework of their business strategy. Organizations must be able to demonstrate that such considerations are integrated into their management system, going beyond mere regulatory compliance to include ambitious mitigation objectives.

It is not enough to adopt a reactive approach; organizations must embrace a proactive model in which sustainability becomes an integral part of their mission and vision.

### The Responsibility of Certifications

An important aspect introduced by these new regulations concerns certification bodies. These entities will be required to ensure that certified organizations are taking climate change into account. If these organizations fail to demonstrate that they have addressed this issue, certification bodies will be obliged to raise non-conformity reports. There will not be the issuance of new certificates or specific revisions for these changes, but it will be essential to demonstrate an integrated approach to climate risks.

### A New Paradigm: Sustainability and Value Creation

Traditionally, many companies have focused on maximizing short-term financial results, often at the expense of other crucial issues, including sustainability. This narrow outlook has led to an underestimation of the importance of a sustainable approach, which has now become indispensable not only for addressing growing social and environmental concerns but also for ensuring the resilience and competitiveness of businesses in the long term.

Recent regulations, therefore, are not just a response to market demands but are integrated into a broader regulatory context that includes increasingly sustainability-oriented international and national laws. Organizations of all sizes and sectors are thus called to measure and communicate their sustainability policies, managing and assessing their performance rigorously and transparently.

### Conclusions: Towards a Sustainable Future

The recent changes to management standards adopted by ISO and IAF mark a significant step towards the integration of climate issues into the business context. This change…