ISO 37101:2016 — Sustainable Development in Communities

The international management-system standard for sustainable development in communities — helping cities, municipalities and local organisations become smarter, more resilient and more sustainable.

What it is

ISO 37101:2016 (first edition, 15 July 2016) was developed by ISO/TC 268, Sustainable cities and communities. It specifies requirements for a management system for sustainable development in communities, including smart and resilient communities. It helps communities define their sustainable-development objectives and put in place strategies, programmes, plans and processes to achieve them — organised around six purposes (attractiveness; preservation and improvement of the environment; resilience; responsible resource use; social cohesion; and well-being) and twelve issues (governance, education, innovation, health, culture, living together, economy, mobility, environment, infrastructure, housing, and energy).

Who needs it

Local governments, municipalities and city authorities; community and public-service organisations; utilities and infrastructure operators; and any body responsible for planning, governing or delivering services to a community that wants a structured, auditable approach to sustainability and resilience.

Benefits of certification

• A single management-system framework to plan, deliver and measure sustainable development
• Improved resource efficiency, resilience and environmental performance
• Stronger stakeholder engagement and social cohesion across the community
• Direct contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Better governance, transparency and accountability for public bodies
• A credible, third-party-verified basis to demonstrate sustainability commitments

Frequently asked questions

Common questions

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