Overview
EN ISO 14063:2020 - Environmental management - Environmental communication - Guidelines and examples - provides practical guidance on planning and implementing environmental communication for organizations of any size, sector or location. Published as the CEN-adopted version of ISO 14063:2020, this standard helps organisations design policies, strategies and activities for both internal and external communication about environmental performance, risks and actions. It is guidance (not a certification requirement) and can be used with or without an environmental management system (EMS).
Key topics and requirements
The standard focuses on proven communication approaches adapted to environmental contexts. Major topics include:
- Principles: transparency, appropriateness, credibility, clarity and regionality that underpin effective environmental communication.
- Policy & management commitment: guidance on obtaining leadership support and integrating environmental communication into organisational policy.
- Strategy & objectives: setting clear environmental communication objectives consistent with ISO 14001:2015 and broader organisational goals.
- Planning activities: situational analysis, target-group identification, geographic scope, and selection of relevant environmental information.
- Content, tools & channels: choosing communication formats and tools (including social media) and assigning responsibilities.
- Execution & feedback: collecting and evaluating data, conducting activities, recording and responding to stakeholder input.
- Evaluation & review: monitoring effectiveness, conducting management review and updating plans.
- Special situations: guidance on crisis and emergency environmental communication.
- Annex A maps environmental communication within the ISO 14000 family.
Practical applications
EN ISO 14063:2020 is useful for:
- Developing an environmental communication policy or stakeholder engagement plan.
- Preparing environmental reports, disclosures or sustainability communications that are credible and clear.
- Integrating communication into an existing EMS (e.g., ISO 14001) or establishing standalone practices.
- Crisis communication planning and timely response to environmental incidents or public enquiries.
- Improving internal awareness and employee engagement on environmental objectives and performance.
Who should use it
- Environmental managers and EMS coordinators
- Corporate communications and public affairs teams
- Compliance officers, sustainability officers and CSR practitioners
- Consultants advising on environmental reporting and stakeholder engagement
- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) seeking structured environmental communication
Related standards
- ISO 14000 family (general environmental management)
- ISO 14001 (environmental management systems)
- Product-focused communication tools: ISO 14020, 14021, 14024, 14025, 14026
Keywords: EN ISO 14063:2020, environmental communication, environmental management, ISO 14000, stakeholder engagement, environmental reporting, crisis communication.
