**The New ISO 37001:2025 and the Crucial Role of Climate Change in the Fight Against Corruption**

The 2025 revision of the ISO 37001 standard, dedicated to anti-corruption management systems, introduces significant innovations that address the increasing complexity of global contexts and the need to incorporate sustainability principles within the ethical frameworks of organizations. A fundamental aspect of this new edition is the inclusion of climate change as a critical element in the analysis of corruption risks, acknowledging that environmental pressures can create vulnerabilities and opportunities for illicit behavior, especially in strategic sectors related to ecological transition.

The new standard highlights the importance of organizational culture and training based on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria, emphasizing strategic planning and continuous review, promoting an integrated and cross-cutting approach to the fight against corruption.

Today, characterized by accelerated and interconnected global transformations, addressing corruption requires a radical shift in traditional methods that are solely based on norms and regulations. The current climate crisis, along with the growing emphasis on sustainability and the challenges arising from evolving markets, necessitates a rethink of strategies for preventing and managing corruption risk. It is in this context that the new ISO 37001:2025 standard is set to update and reinforce the regulatory foundations regarding integrity and transparency.

Launched in 2016, ISO 37001 has represented an international benchmark for public and private organizations looking to implement a structured system to prevent and manage corruption. However, the evolution of the global landscape has made a significant revision necessary. The 2025 version does not merely provide a technical update but proposes a systemic approach that links corruption risks to global themes such as climate change, social justice, and sustainable development.

One of the most innovative elements of this edition is the introduction of climate change as a determining factor in corruption risk assessment, formalized in section 4.1. This new feature represents a genuine paradigm shift: for the first time, an anti-corruption ISO standard explicitly recognizes the link between environmental degradation and ethical issues, inaugurating an integrated view of risk. Similarly, sustainability becomes a pervasive component of the entire regulatory framework, reinforcing the connection between integrity, social responsibility, and sustainable development goals.

Climate change as a corruption risk is not just an environmental or economic issue but a critical variable for integrity governance. Indeed, climate change brings with it complex dynamics that can create fragility and urgency, significantly increasing the chances of corrupt practices. Situations like environmental emergencies requiring quick interventions can lead to procedural overrides; likewise, infrastructure projects related to ecological transition, with significant public and private investments, can give rise to corruption risks. International funds earmarked for climate adaptation, often directed at countries with fragile governance, and complex environmental regulations further exacerbate this scenario.

The standard requires organizations to assess the internal and external factors that influence their ability to achieve the objectives of their anti-corruption management system. Climate change is to be considered not only as an operational risk but also as an element capable of creating conditions conducive to corruption. This marks a significant shift in perspective: corruption is now perceived as a systemic phenomenon, amplified by external pressures such as those generated by the climate crisis.

To adapt to this new development, organizations are called to identify and evaluate the connections between climate and ethical risks within their operational context. Sectors such as public procurement are particularly relevant, as they are directly impacted by these dynamics and may face additional scrutiny regarding their integrity practices.