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“ When you talk about innovation , it ’ s mainly technology ,” said Massamba Thioye , who represented the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub at the ISO Annual Meeting . “ But the climate and sustainability challenges are so important that innovative technology alone will not be sufficient to address the challenge . You need to have an integrated approach where innovative technology is combined with innovative policy , innovative business models , innovative financial models , innovative collaborative approaches . You need to have social innovation and leverage it , because that ’ s about changing behaviour .”
Innovative thinking must be applied to all these areas and more to find new and better ways to enable climate action . For instance , at the meeting , it was argued that cities should be empowered to act as climate “ solution providers ” rather than simply as emitters – ISO is working with the city of Goyang in South Korea on an innovative approach to carbon accounting which helps inform its decarbonisation planning progress .
FOUNDATIONS FOR CHANGE Over the coming decades , climate innovation will transform how we live and work . When stepping into the unknown with these experimental approaches , ISO standards – which cover the breadth of climate-related efforts , from energy management systems to measurement of greenhouse gas emissions – can provide a solid foundation , ensuring best practice .
This is particularly crucial considering the importance of collaboration in climate action . International Standards lay common foundations , for instance through a standardised definition of “ net zero ” and guidance for accountability mechanisms and consistent reporting , which was presented at COP27 .
Climate action is easier to pledge than to enact , especially when there is so much disagreement about how to proceed . By providing a vast ecosystem of expert guidance crossing disciplinary and national borders , ISO standards will provide a foundation to build meaningful multi-sector partnerships and help make progress in the right direction . RACA
" Innovative thinking must be applied to all these areas and more to find new and better ways to enable climate action ."
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RACA Journal I January 2023 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za