Driving the global energy transition: The role of standards in shaping a sustainable future

Making change accessible

Over the past few years, the sector has made significant and encouraging progress in addressing climate change. National and international policy decisions have catalysed investment in national energy grids across the globe, enabling the reduction of emissions factors in electrical energy – measuring the pollutants released per unit of activity – through increased use of renewable energy and greater grid efficiency. This marks a major step toward reducing the sector’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, energy-intensive industries, including oil and gas, steel, cement, and aviation, have embraced decarbonization technologies at an accelerating pace. Innovations in renewable energy are similarly transforming the landscape of commercial buildings, cities and residential areas, making everyday life more sustainable. Agriculture, which accounts for roughly 22 % of global emissions, remains a significant contributor to climate change. However, the sector is seeing a shift toward more sustainable practices, with renewable energy sources such as biomass, wind, solar and waste being increasingly deployed.

While these advancements in renewable energy and storage technologies have expanded their reach and reduced costs, the challenge now is to make these technologies even more affordable and accessible. Achieving this goal will require the expansion of emissions-reducing initiatives, alongside efforts to lower the costs of updating technologies and infrastructure needed to distribute renewable energy in a way that meets growing global demand.

International Standards can play a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges. By providing a shared framework for organizations, these global standards will be instrumental in scaling up renewable energy adoption, fostering innovation, and ensuring that climate goals are met in an inclusive, efficient and sustainable manner.

Engagement is essential

As a leading expert in energy management and energy savings, I recognize that one of the foremost challenges we face is stakeholder engagement. In our pursuit of a consensus on standards that address global sustainability and climate resilience goals, it is essential that we broaden the spectrum of viewpoints and involve a diverse range of stakeholders. This can be achieved by leveraging social media to engage individuals on key messages related to the energy transition. Such dialogue will not only inform our work but also provide valuable insights into how we can better support our global community.

Equally important is the need to harness new technologies to enhance the standards development process and improve the way users interact with these standards. More critically, we must engage the next generation of standards developers to ensure that we are not just shaping a current consensus, but laying the groundwork for standards that will continue to serve and benefit our members for years to come.

Looking ahead, the next five years will be pivotal. The transition away from fossil fuels must be managed in a way that ensures financial viability for economies, businesses and individual energy consumers. For the energy transition to succeed, it must be inclusive and equitable – this is not only a technical challenge but an economic one as well.

The energy transition is undeniably central to global efforts to combat climate change, yet translating national policies into tangible, everyday actions within businesses remains a significant challenge. This is where ISO standards can play a transformative role. By offering clear frameworks and guidance, ISO standards help bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that organizations are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the energy transition while navigating its complex technical and economic dimensions.

Paving the way

ISO is uniquely positioned to guide organizations through the complexities of change, offering the tools and frameworks necessary for informed decision-making at every stage of the energy transition journey. Our standards provide a clear pathway for organizations to understand and take meaningful action in reducing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring they remain aligned with both their specific needs and broader sustainability goals.

But ISO’s impact extends beyond industry. We are equally equipped to engage with policymakers, urging them to take bold, decisive actions that will help achieve the global objective of limiting temperature increases to below 1.5 °C. In parallel, our companion standards on assurance play a crucial role by enabling organizations to provide transparent, reliable information on their emission reduction efforts – an essential step in building trust and credibility with consumers.

I firmly believe that the global energy transition must permeate all aspects of our energy production and consumption, ultimately influencing every sector of the economy. While this process can seem complex and, at times, daunting, International Standards serve as a vital enabler, facilitating the adoption of common systems that simplify this transition. ISO offers a comprehensive suite of standards across more than 300 technical areas, ensuring that every aspect of an organization’s energy needs is addressed. By supporting the energy sector in navigating this transition with clarity and confidence, ISO plays a crucial role in advancing our collective goals – especially the imperative to combat climate change and protect the future of our planet.