ISO 14092:2026 – Climate Change Adaptation Standard and the Upcoming New Version of ISO 14001:2026
The International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) has published the new international standard ISO 14092:2026 – Adaptation to climate change — Requirements and guidance, replacing the previous technical specification ISO/TS 14092:2020 and providing updated guidance focused on effective climate change adaptation measures.
What is ISO 14092:2026?
ISO 14092 is a standard designed to support organisations and communities in implementing structured and systematic approaches to adapting to climate-related risks and impacts — such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events.
It provides a set of requirements and guidance for:
- analysing and understanding climate risks,
- planning adaptation actions,
- implementing and monitoring adaptation measures.
This standard works in synergy with other ISO documents related to climate adaptation, such as:
- ISO 14090 (general framework for adaptation),
- ISO 14091 (climate risk assessment),
- ISO 14093 (climate finance mechanisms).
ISO 14092 and ISO 14001: How Are They Connected?
While ISO 14092, the climate change adaptation standard, focuses on adapting to specific climate risks, ISO 14001 remains the primary international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
ISO 14001 provides a structured framework for how organisations manage their environmental impact through defined processes, risk management, identification of environmental aspects, and continual improvement.
Currently, ISO 14001 is undergoing revision — the expected new version, ISO 14001:2026, is anticipated to be published around April 2026. The revised standard will retain the core management system principles while strengthening them with:
- clearer requirements related to climate and environmental issues,
- a reinforced life-cycle approach,
- greater leadership responsibility and accountability,
- and improved integration of sustainability and climate risks within the business context.
Why Is This Important for Businesses?
Linking ISO 14092 with ISO 14001 offers organisations:
- a more comprehensive approach to climate challenges by combining adaptation (adjusting to risks) with traditional environmental management;
- alignment between strategic planning and practical adaptation measures, providing a competitive advantage to companies integrating these standards into their management systems;
- enhanced resilience and business continuity through structured processes to address both current and future climate impacts.
Preparing for the new version of ISO 14001 and integrating the principles and guidance of ISO 14092 can become a strategic tool for organizations aiming to anticipate climate-related challenges and respond effectively.
Are You Ready for the Next Step?
Climate risks are no longer a distant concern — they are a strategic factor affecting the resilience and competitiveness of every organisation.
ISO 14001 provides the structure for managing environmental risk, while climate adaptation adds concrete measures to address the impacts of climate change. For organisations, this means reduced losses, better business protection, and more sustainable operations.
Contact us to support your organization in building and certifying a climate-resilient management system.