What is the ISO 27001 Climate Change Amendment?

Climate change is an ongoing, global challenge that we all face. The need for sustainability is greater than ever before, and there’s an increasing expectation for businesses to demonstrate innovation and adoption of ecological measures to support the transition towards an environmentally conscious world.

In February 2024, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced the Climate Action Changes amendment to the most widely used ISO Standards, including 27001, 14001, 45001, and 9001, as an effort to encourage businesses to bolster their environmental responsibility.

So, what is the ISO 27001 climate change update, and what does it mean for businesses already ISO 27001 certified or are looking to get certified? In this blog, we’ll take a deeper look at the impact this change could have on businesses like yours.

What is ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is the internationally recognised Standard for Information Security providing businesses with a framework for an effective Information Security Management System. ISO 27001 covers more than just IT, it addresses data security across all areas of a business, both online and offline, ensuring compliance and protection against emerging cyber threats.

Learn more about ISO 27001, its benefits, and costs, here.

What’s new?

The Climate Action Changes amendment to ISO 27001 now requires organisations to consider climate change as a risk to their Information Security Management Systems. This update was implemented to reflect the rising challenges posed by climate change, with particular focus on its impacts on data protection.

The update adds two key points to existing clauses within the ISO 27001 framework. These are:

• Clause 4.1 Understanding the organisation and its context: The organisation shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.
• Clause 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.

Essentially, organisations now need to actively consider the potential influence of climate change on their business and how it could impact stakeholders.

If it’s determined that climate change will impact a business’s plans, then they should look to update their needs and expectations. For example, when thinking about where to host data via data centres, businesses might consider locations less likely to be affected by natural disasters or those who prioritise sustainability.

How does this affect ISO 27001-certified organisations?

Whenever amendments are made to ISO Standards, one common question is, how will this affect businesses who already have ISO 27001 certification? Although these new considerations need to be followed and implemented, it doesn’t require a recertification process. Businesses just need to update their Information Security Management System to reflect these changes.

This involves:

• Assessing climate change relevance: Conduct an analysis to determine if climate change poses a risk for your business.
• Addressing stakeholder needs: As part of clause 4.2, you should identify interested parties who might have climate change requirements.
• Documenting the changes: You should update your Information Security Management System documentation to show how you plan to address the climate change considerations and any necessary actions regarding information security.

What are the benefits of addressing climate change?

The ISO 27001 Climate Action Changes amendment provides a greater opportunity for businesses to show their commitment to helping the environment. Here’s how:

• Enhanced reputation: Demonstrating your environmental responsibility can boost your image, potentially attracting environmentally conscious customers and investors.
• Improved risk management: This can help your business become more resilient and future-proof your sensitive data.
• Increased efficiency: Optimising your usage and reducing your energy consumption can help your business save money.
• Compliance with regulations: With environmental regulations becoming more common, it’s great to get ahead of the curve.

Become ISO 27001 certified with us

Looking to becoming an ISO 27001-certified business? Take the certification journey with us and we’ll guide you all the way through the ISO 27001 certification process. You can create an Information Security Management System that works for your business, improving the security and protection throughout your operations in as little as 45 days.

For more information, speak to a member of our team today on 0330 127 5121 or click here to get your free quote.