ISO is to develop an international standard on energy management.

The standard will provide all types of organisations and companies with a practical and widely recognised approach to increasing energy efficiency, reducing costs and improving their environmental performance.

Applying to a broad sector of national economies, including utility, manufacturing, commercial building, general commerce, and transportation sectors, the standard could influence as much as 60% of the world’s energy demand.

ISO secretary-general Alan Bryden commented: “The urgency to reduce GHG emissions, the reality of higher prices from reduced availability of fossil fuels, and the need to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, provide a strong rationale for developing this new standard building on the most advanced best practices and existing national or regional standards.”