Why Is It Important to Mark 15 May - Climate Change Action Day

Climate Change Action Day, observed on 15 May, represents a global initiative involving more than 170 countries worldwide, aimed at raising awareness of one of the greatest challenges facing modern society - climate change and its impact on the environment, the economy, and quality of life.

The term climate change is most commonly used to describe disruptions in climate conditions observed over the past several decades. The changes already observed, as well as those projected for the coming years, are considered primarily the result of human activities rather than natural atmospheric variations. This is precisely why it is essential to take a systematic approach and implement standards that contribute to environmental protection, sustainable development, and the reduction of negative climate impacts.

Standardization in the field of environmental protection plays a significant role in this process. At the Institute for Standardization of Serbia, this area falls within the scope of Commission A207 - Environmental Management Systems, which has so far published 72 standards. The fundamental and most widely recognized among them is SRPS ISO 14001:2015, Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use, which enables organizations to establish an effective environmental management system, reduce risks, and improve sustainable business operations.

In accordance with this standard, the Certification Body of the Institute for Standardization of Serbia carries out certification of organizations, providing support to companies and institutions seeking to align their operations with the principles of sustainability and responsible environmental management.

Within the field of European standardization, the new edition of CEN-CENELEC Guide 32 is of particular importance. It was published by CEN and CENELEC with the aim of identifying ways in which standards can help Europe adapt to climate change.

The new Guide 32 consolidates previous guidance into a clearer and more practical reference document for technical committees, enabling climate-related considerations to be incorporated more effectively into the standardization process.

With its structured approach to climate risk assessment throughout the lifecycle of standards, this guide supports the development of standards that remain consistent, reliable, and relevant under increasingly pronounced climate challenges and extreme weather conditions.

At the same time, the updated Guide 32 further contributes to the integration of climate considerations into European standardization, enabling greater resilience of infrastructure and the economy, as well as long-term sustainability within the single European market.

At the Institute for Standardization of Serbia, particular attention is devoted to standards in this field. As part of its educational programme, the Institute regularly organizes two training courses: Interpretation of the Requirements of SRPS ISO 14001:2015 and Internal Audits of Environmental Management Systems.