Pivotal Role of the ISO 14001 Standard in the Carbon Economy

The ISO 14000 and ISO 9000 standards have a positive impact on achieving sustainable and efficient business. The ISO 14001, in particular, is credited with a crucial role of assisting businesses with managing their environmental credentials which are vital in the upcoming carbon economy. This paper explores the significance of ISO 14001 and expands on the possibilities of the use of this standard in a creative way by organizations. Furthermore, with regards to ISO 14001, adjustments could be made to improve its effectiveness in implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS). The areas of this standard that could be upgraded are also outlined, including measuring compliance, specified, strict environmental targets for business, and a stronger sustainability component. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2646-1.ch004