ISO 14068-1:2023 is the international standard for verified carbon neutrality. It requires an organisation to measure its full carbon footprint, cut emissions first, and only then offset what remains, all independently audited. A carbon-neutral hosting claim backed by ISO 14068 is evidence; one without it is marketing.
Quick Reference
- What it is: ISO 14068-1:2023, the international carbon neutrality standard (published 2023, replaced PAS 2060)
- What it requires: Measure the full footprint, reduce and remove emissions first, offset only the residual, all third-party verified
- Scope covered: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions
- BlackBox status: Certified, BSI-verified following a five-day audit; footprint calculated by Tunley Environmental; 100% carbon neutral energy
- Why it matters: Separates audited carbon neutrality from unsubstantiated green-hosting claims in procurement and ESG reporting
What is ISO 14068 and why was it created?
ISO 14068-1:2023, full title Climate change management – Transition to net zero – Part 1: Carbon neutrality, is the international standard for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality. It was published in 2023 by the International Organization for Standardization and replaces PAS 2060, the British specification that had been the reference point since 2010.
It exists because the phrase carbon neutral had become unreliable. Any business could print it on a website with no measurement behind it. ISO 14068 sets out published, verifiable criteria so that a neutrality claim can be tested, audited and trusted rather than simply asserted.
How is ISO 14068 different from a generic carbon-neutral claim?
The difference is verification. A self-declared claim asks you to take a provider at its word. An ISO 14068 certification means a recognised body has checked the measurement, the reduction plan and the offsetting against a published standard. The table below shows what each type of claim actually proves.
| ISO 14068-1:2023 certified | Self-declared ‘carbon neutral’ | 100% renewable energy claim | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent third-party audit | Yes | No | Sometimes (energy only) |
| Full carbon footprint measured | Yes (Scope 1, 2 and 3) | Not required | No |
| Emissions cut before offsetting | Required by the standard | Not required | Not required |
| Offset quality governed | Yes, to a defined hierarchy | No | N/A |
| Recognised in procurement / ESG | Yes | Limited | Limited |
What is the difference between ISO 14001 and ISO 14068?
This is the most common point of confusion. ISO 14001 certifies an environmental management system, the process a business uses to manage and improve its environmental impact. ISO 14068 certifies an outcome, verified carbon neutrality for a defined period. One proves you manage the issue well; the other proves a specific result. BlackBox holds both.
Key takeaway: ISO 14001 is the system. ISO 14068 is the proof. A provider quoting only 14001 has a process for sustainability but has not had carbon neutrality independently verified. Ask which one underpins the carbon-neutral claim.
What does ISO 14068 certification actually require?
The standard follows a strict hierarchy. Offsetting is the last step, not the headline:
- Measure: quantify the full carbon footprint across Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (purchased energy) and Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions.
- Reduce and remove: cut direct and indirect emissions and enhance removals before any offsetting is considered.
- Offset the residual: use credible offsetting only for the footprint that cannot yet be eliminated.
- Verify and disclose: have the footprint and offsetting independently audited, and report transparently.
Because Scope 3 is included, the standard captures the emissions most providers prefer to ignore. For hosting, that means the claim reflects the whole operation, not just the electricity bill. For more on how this sits alongside data residency and performance, see UK sovereign cloud hosting explained.
Is BlackBox Hosting certified to ISO 14068?
Yes. BlackBox is certified carbon neutral under ISO 14068-1:2023. The credentials behind that claim are:
- Certified carbon neutral under ISO 14068-1:2023, independently assessed and verified by BSI following a five-day audit
- Carbon footprint calculated by Tunley Environmental, covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions
- Certified to zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, with only residual Scope 3 emissions remaining
- Powered by 100% carbon neutral energy across two Tier 3+ UK data centres in London
- Also certified to ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 20000-1, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, CSA STAR Level 2 and Cyber Essentials Plus
- Listed on the Crown Commercial Service G-Cloud Digital Marketplace for direct public sector procurement
Full details of every certification are on the BlackBox certifications page.
“Plenty of providers say they are green. Far fewer can prove it. ISO 14068 matters because it forces you to measure everything, cut what you can, and only then offset the rest, with an independent auditor checking your working. We put BlackBox through that process because our customers in regulated sectors need evidence they can put in front of their own auditors, not a logo we awarded ourselves.”
– Matt Burden, Founder & Managing Director, BlackBox Hosting
What should UK businesses look for in carbon-neutral cloud hosting?
Not every green claim is equal. Use this checklist when comparing providers:
| What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A named standard, not just a label | ‘Carbon neutral’ alone is unregulated. ISO 14068-1:2023 (or its predecessor PAS 2060) means the claim has been tested against published criteria. |
| Independent verification | Look for a recognised certification body such as BSI. Self-declared neutrality carries little weight in audits or tenders. |
| Scope 3 included | Most real-world emissions sit in the supply chain. A credible claim measures Scope 1, 2 and 3, not just direct energy use. |
| Reduction before offsetting | The standard requires cutting emissions first. Offsetting should only cover the residual that cannot yet be removed. |
| UK data centres and UK energy | Carbon-neutral status should sit alongside, not replace, sovereignty and performance. Check both are evidenced. |
| A current assessment year | Carbon neutrality is assessed per period. Confirm the certification covers the latest financial year, not a one-off historic claim. |
For public sector and regulated buyers, verified environmental credentials increasingly feature in tenders. See how this connects to framework procurement in our public sector cloud hosting guide, or read more on why sustainability is now a priority for UK data centres.
Frequently asked questions
What is ISO 14068?
ISO 14068-1:2023 is the international standard for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality. It sets out how an organisation measures its carbon footprint, reduces and removes emissions, and offsets only what remains. It was published in 2023 and replaces the older PAS 2060 specification.
Is ISO 14068 the same as net zero?
They are related but not identical. Net zero refers to a long-term science-based target of cutting emissions across the value chain to near zero. ISO 14068 certifies verified carbon neutrality for a defined period, with offsetting allowed for the residual footprint that cannot yet be eliminated.
Does ISO 14068 replace PAS 2060?
Yes. ISO 14068-1:2023 supersedes PAS 2060, the British Standards Institution specification first published in 2010. ISO 14068 places greater emphasis on Scope 3 emissions and on reducing emissions before offsetting.
What is the difference between ISO 14001 and ISO 14068?
ISO 14001 certifies an environmental management system, the process an organisation uses to manage its environmental impact. ISO 14068 certifies an outcome, verified carbon neutrality. A provider can hold both: the management system to run things responsibly, and the carbon neutrality standard to evidence the result.
Is BlackBox Hosting carbon neutral?
Yes. BlackBox Hosting is certified carbon neutral under ISO 14068-1:2023, independently assessed and verified by BSI. The infrastructure runs on 100% carbon neutral energy across two Tier 3+ UK data centres.
Does carbon-neutral hosting cost more?
Not necessarily. Carbon-neutral status reflects how a data centre is powered and operated rather than a premium add-on. BlackBox provides fixed, transparent monthly pricing with no egress fees, so sustainability does not come at the cost of predictable budgeting.
Why does carbon-neutral hosting matter for procurement and ESG reporting?
Public sector and regulated buyers increasingly require evidence of environmental credentials in tenders, and businesses need verifiable data for ESG and CSR reporting. A certified ISO 14068 provider supplies an audited claim that stands up to scrutiny, rather than an unsubstantiated marketing statement.
Talk to the team
BlackBox runs verified carbon-neutral, UK-only infrastructure for businesses in regulated sectors. If you need hosting that is sustainable, sovereign and provable, speak to the team to discuss your compliance and infrastructure requirements.
