The 2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23) began on 06 November in Bonn, Germany, with a focus on governments working to increase climate action and the showcasing, fostering and launching of global climate action initiatives by all actors with a view towards better coordination.

In collaboration with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), IAF will host a side event from 10:00 – 11:30 on November 09 at the European Union Pavillion. The event, titled ‘Adapting to climate change – developments in International Standards & accreditation’, will provide an overview of new and emerging standards designed to aid governments, businesses and other bodies in addressing climate change. In particular, the IAF presentation will highlight the benefits of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA), which covers ISO 14001: Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, ISO 14065: Greenhouse gases – Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition, and ISO 50001: Energy management systems — Requirements with guidance for use.

IAF and ISO have also organized a side event from 13:15 – 14:45 on 17 November. The event, titled ‘Role of standards and accreditation to support non-state actors in light of Paris Agreement and SDGs’, will highlight the role of standards and accreditation in strengthening governance and transparency through certification, validation and verification.