The 2026 ISO 14001 Update: What It Really Means for Your Business

Myra Abordo
Jul 30
2 min read

The global push for environmental responsibility is accelerating, and ISO is keeping pace.

The ISO 14001 standard, which provides a framework for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), is undergoing a significant revision. The new version, ISO 14001:2026, is expected to be published in early 2026, with a Draft International Standard (DIS) already released in February 2025.

Source: ISO/DIS 14001:2025 – International Organization for Standardization (www.iso.org)

But what’s actually changing? And what should your organisation do to stay ahead?

Why the Update?

The revision responds to global challenges such as:

Climate change adaptation
Biodiversity loss
Supply chain transparency
Stakeholder pressure for ESG performance

These updates aim to ensure that environmental management systems are not only compliant, but also more strategic, measurable, and aligned with long-term sustainability goals.

What Are the Key Changes in ISO 14001?

While the full standard is still being finalised, key draft updates include:

1. Greater Emphasis on Climate Risk and Adaptation

Organisations will need to consider climate resilience in their planning and risk assessments, integrating climate-related risks and opportunities into decision-making.

2. Focus on Nature and Biodiversity

ISO 14001:2026 will expand attention beyond emissions to include biodiversity, land use, and nature-positive action as part of environmental objectives.

3. Supply Chain Transparency

There’s a stronger focus on the environmental impact of suppliers and subcontractors, encouraging end-to-end accountability.

4. More Integrated ESG Reporting

The revision encourages alignment with global reporting frameworks (such as the GRI, CSRD, and ISSB), making it easier to embed ISO 14001 within broader ESG strategies.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

A young professional holding a tablet, with digital sustainability and environmental data graphics in the background, representing modern EMS and ISO 14001 readiness

For organisations already certified, ISO 14001:2026 will not require a complete overhaul, but it will require updates to your approach.

You may need to:

Update your environmental risk register to include climate and biodiversity
Reassess the effectiveness of your objectives and KPIs
Review your supplier screening and environmental performance checks
Improve how your EMS supports ESG or sustainability reporting

The update also presents an opportunity to strengthen your reputation, build resilience, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability.

How Base Solutions Can Help

We work closely with businesses to help them prepare for standard revisions without disrupting operations. Whether you’re due for a transition or want to align your EMS with upcoming requirements, we provide: