# A New Regulatory Impulse for Companies: How to Integrate into Climate Change

In recent years, attention to climate change issues has grown exponentially, pushing organizations worldwide to reevaluate their management models. In this context, the adoption of international standards becomes essential to ensure responsible corporate governance. A recent amendment championed by a significant international organization represents a significant step towards integrating climate factors into corporate management systems.

### What Changes with the New Standard

This amendment is not intended to become a rigid standard for addressing climate change but aims to enrich existing frameworks by providing organizations with the opportunity to tackle this issue in a gradual and tailored manner. It will therefore be necessary to consider climate change within corporate goals and mitigation strategies, integrating the assessment of climate impact into daily operations.

### The Obligation for Certified Companies to Assess

All organizations already holding certifications such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 will be required to conduct a climate impact analysis not only at the time of certification renewal but also at all stages of maintenance. This practice will be required starting in June and will affect a large number of companies, with estimates suggesting that over 4 million entities may need to adjust their standards. Every company, regardless of the sector in which it operates, will need to integrate a climate change assessment into its management approach.

### Factors to Consider in Context Analysis

The context analysis, a crucial element in management standards, will need to take into account specific variables, such as:

– The scope of the implemented management system
– Relevant laws and regulations
– Areas of activity
– Geographic situation
– Supply chain organization

These factors will help outline a clear mapping of risks and opportunities related to climate change.

### Preparation and Assessment Strategy

Companies’ preparation for this change will depend on their current conditions and the objectives each entity intends to pursue. A one-size-fits-all model is not required, but rather a collection of useful information for evaluating the impact of climate change.

For many companies, the most common approach will be to integrate climate impact into existing analyses, such as a SWOT analysis. Others may opt for a more detailed analysis, following the GHG Protocol, which addresses greenhouse gas emissions.

### The Emergence of Risks and Opportunities

Companies will need to acknowledge that failing to meet such requirements could lead to recommendations from certification bodies, which will seek to verify whether the new requirements have been properly implemented. The level of effort required will vary depending on the maturity of the organizational structure and institutional goals.

It is crucial to approach context analysis in a targeted manner, gathering significant data and information to position oneself consciously within the emerging regulatory landscape.

### Leveraging Existing Resources

Companies that already have strategies related to sustainability and climate change will benefit from previously developed solutions and action plans. However, there will also be companies that need to embark on these paths from scratch. There is a wide variety of approaches and tools available, depending on the size of the company and its sensitivity to climate issues.

### A New Focus on Climate Change

Based on this new regulatory orientation, the issue of greenhouse gas emissions is central; however, other relevant aspects of sustainability, such as recycling and reuse, will remain anchored to the specific existing standards. Companies will need to adapt, enhancing their capacity for data collection and climate impact assessment.