WSC Session – How to turn COP promises into measurable impact – The role of international standards

Time: 13 November, 11:15-12:00
Venue: Standard Pavilion

Short session description
Every country leaves COP with bold commitments, but how do you prove progress? Learn how the world’s leading standards bodies are providing tools that make climate action verifiable, scalable, and inclusive. 

Introduction 
Building on WSC’s commitments from COP28 – to embed sustainability by design into standards – and from COP29 – to bridge the standardization gap and support developing countries—this year’s session focused on standards as policy tools for action and measurement. 

The discussion showcased how ISO, IEC, and ITU, through their joint efforts and support to the Green Standards pillar of the Green Digital Action (GDA) initiative, are advancing sustainability across standardization and policymaking. It highlighted how collaboration among international standards bodies, governments, and industry could accelerate climate-positive innovation, ensure global inclusivity, and strengthen accountability for COP30 outcomes. 

Objectives 
This session: 
1) emphasized the role of international standards as policy enablers and measurement tools for sustainability;
2) reinforced collaboration between ISO, IEC, and ITU in supporting countries to achieve climate commitments;
3) highlighted WSC’s contribution to the Green Standards pillar of the Green Digital Action (GDA) initiative;
4) showcased practical examples from countries and partners translating standards into tangible climate action. 

Target audience 
This Side Event was open to all. Participation was free of charge.  

Co-organizers: IEC, ISO, ITU