ISO discusses standard to measure 'radiative forcing'

A new international standard to estimate the climate impact of emissions such as black carbon and other particulates is being discussed by experts.

Existing climate accounting systems such as ISO 14064 focus on greenhouse gases, chiefly carbon dioxide and methane and others mentioned in the Kyoto Protocol, effectively disregarding the role of other substances.

The new standard, to be known as ISO 14082, is based on radiative forcing (the difference between radiation absorbed from the sun and that radiated back into space). This can be influenced by greenhouse gases and water vapour and many other substances.