The world faces critical environmental challenges, including rising CO2 emissions and severe water scarcity. ISO standards are essential tools to help address these issues. For example, ISO 50001 enhances energy performance and reduces emissions, while ISO 14046 calculates water footprints, helping reducing consumption and improving water management. These standards promote sustainable practices and support the UN SDGs.
Supporting the “Planet” dimension, S4S delivered ToT journeys for ISO 50001 (energy management systems) and ISO 14046 (environmental management: water footprint), and has an ongoing ToT journey on ISO 59000 (circular economy).
Countries
ToT course trainees
National trainees (full ToT cycle)
Companies supported
National events hosted
National event participants
Result stories
Regional pilot in Central Asia and Eastern Europe (March 2023-June 2024)
Starting in March 2023, five ISO members from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of North Macedonia and Uzbekistan took part in the first regional ToT journey on ISO 50001. A total of 19 trainees, selected from these ISO members and their stakeholders, successfully completed Phase I, which included an in-person ToT course in Kyrgyzstan in June 2023. This phase provided them with key insights into ISO’s energy management standards, their applications and benefits.
The ToT course is key for both trainees and pilot organizations. It helps to build local knowledge on ISO 50001 and provides an opportunity to exchange experiences with peers from other countries.
With distance mentoring support, trainees implemented ISO 50001 in local pilot organizations. The focus was on improving energy efficiency, reducing cost and ensuring long-term business sustainability. Their experience resulted in detailed case studies on ISO 50001, which were later turned into successful result stories, showcased in the table below.
In collaboration with their NSBs, trainees and pilot organizations hosted four national events in April and May 2024. Attracting 180 participants across Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of North Macedonia, these events highlighted the powerful impact of energy management standards in driving global solutions to environmental challenges.
This initiative was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
National events media posts of Azerbaijan, of Kazakhstan.
National roll-out in Bolivia (March 2023-April 2024)
Two ToT journeys on ISO 50001 and ISO 14046 were conducted in Bolivia. Through virtual preparation and in-person classes, 22 trainees from ISO’s Bolivian member, IBNORCA, and its stakeholders gained practical knowledge on how to apply energy management and water footprint standards in their national context.
With mentor support, trainees applied these standards in nine pilot organizations across Bolivia. The goal was to enhance energy efficiency, cut costs and proactively profile use of water and its impact on addressing environmental challenges and mitigating risks. The trainees documented their experiences in case studies, which were later transformed into compelling result stories, featured in the table below.
By applying ISO 50001, we aim to improve our energy use and cut energy consumption, with a focus on continuous improvement to reduce our carbon emissions and drive long-term sustainability.
In April 2024, trainees and pilot organizations, under IBNORCA’s guidance, hosted two national outreach events, attracting 170 participants. The events showcased how energy management and water footprint standards help drive progress towards the SDGs, increasing awareness and demand for these standards.
The initiative was part of the capacity-building project “Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement for Standardization in Bolivia”, funded by PTB/BMZ.
Bolivia national events media posts on Energy management systems, Water footprint.
Regional roll-out in Central and South America (June 2024-August 2025)
In June 2024, five ISO members from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Peru joined a regional ToT journey on ISO 50001. A total of 20 trainees, selected from these ISO members and their stakeholders, completed Phase I, which included a ToT course in Peru in October 2024. There, they explored the benefits and applications of energy management standards.
This ToT course granted me in-depth knowledge of ISO 50001 implementation. This expertise will be essential when working with pilot organizations to apply the standard, driving energy savings and reductions in CO2 emissions.
With guidance from international experts, trainees will now apply this knowledge by implementing an energy management system in local pilot organizations.
Together with their NSBs, they will also raise awareness on how ISO 50001 drives energy efficiency, cuts cost and helps tackle global environmental challenges – responding to a global need to protect the planet.
This initiative is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
ToT course media post from INACAL.