The International Organization for Standardization is developing a global standard that will allow architects and designers to certify their buildings and products as carbon neutral.
Due to be published next year, the new ISO standard will for the first time provide an internationally recognised benchmark for carbon neutrality.
It aims to clear up confusion over what the term means and how it differs from the more onerous net-zero standard.
"I'm working on an international standard that will explain to organisations how they can achieve carbon neutrality and what they can claim about it," said Ian Byrne, who is chairing an international group of experts that will define the standard.
"It's attempting to come to a common definition that isn't the lowest common denominator." Projects claiming to be carbon neutral such as 3XN's extension to Hotel GSH on Bornholm island (top) and the No Footprint House in Costa Rica (above) will be able to apply for ISO certification
Byrne, who is principal at Ian Byrne Energy & Carbon Consultancy Services, added that the standard will be "probably rather stronger than what is out there in the market."
The International Organization for Standardization is an independent, non-governmental body that brings together standards organisations from 165 member countries.
The ISO standard will build on the British Standards Institution's PAS 2060 standard, which is currently the most widely recognised benchmark.
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