In the ever-evolving business landscape, sustainability is no longer a mere buzzword—it's a fundamental ethos guiding forward-thinking companies' practices. Achieving B Corporation status is a significant milestone for any organization committed to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. But did you know Green Business Benchmark° (GBB) certification can help you achieve and further enhance your B Corp standing?
Growing Demand for B Corp Certification There has never been a better time to consider achieving certification as a sustainable business. According to Inc., in 2023 alone, a record 2,385 companies across the U.S. and Canada were B Corp certified, with 328 gaining certification for the first time . Globally, the number of certified B Corporations has soared to 8,051, marking a 30% growth year over year for the last two years . The significant increase in the number of B Corps can be attributed to “increasing awareness and recognition of the role that the private sector does play” as stated by Sarah Schwimmer, B Lab’s head of external affairs.
Before diving into the benefits of sustainability certification, let's briefly touch on what it means to be a B Corporation . Certified B Corporations are organizations that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. The B Corp certification process is rigorous, assessing a company’s impact on its workers, customers, community, and environment.
The Role of Sustainability Certification A sustainability certification, such as Green Business Benchmark °, provides an additional layer of validation for your organization's commitment to environmental stewardship. This is essential for consumers, with 66% of consumers and 75% of Millennial consumers surveyed considering sustainability when they purchase, according to a survey from McKinsey & Co . For consumers 18 to 34, the number rises to 80% according to a Business of Sustainability Index report .
Though consumers want to buy sustainable products, they don’t know how to find them, with a Business of Sustainability study finding that 78% of consumers don’t know how to identify sustainable items to buy and 72% rely on third-party certifications to verify a product’s sustainability. This makes the case for sustainability certification even stronger, showcasing that consumers use certification as a trusted indicator of what products meet sustainability claims and align with their values. Green Business Benchmark's sustainability certification will give consumers peace of mind and help you reach other high-demand certifications such as B Corp.
Enhancing Credibility and Trust Achieving a sustainability certification can enhance your credibility within the B Corp community and beyond by providing tangible proof of your commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical practices. The Green Business Benchmark° certification is backed by sustainability experts who verify your claims to ensure the utmost transparency. Green Business Benchmark’s certification reflects to the world that you have committed to sustainability and have a reputable organization backing your achievements.
The certification serves as a benchmark for your company's adherence to industry standards in sustainability and demonstrates to stakeholders, including customers, investors, and partners, that your organization not only meets but often exceeds regulatory requirements and best practices in environmental stewardship, resource management, and social responsibility. Further, Green Business Benchmark° holds you accountable with a public profile, which links to your certification and displays all completed initiatives for stakeholders to see. This reflects the core tenants of B Corp’s requirements for certification which are:
Demonstrate high social and environmental performance. Make a legal commitment by changing corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders. Exhibit transparency by allowing performance information to be measured against standards and be publicly available. Driving Operational Efficiency Many sustainability certifications require organizations to implement practices that improve operational efficiency; however, unlike the other certifications, Green Business Benchmark° takes it a step further and tells you how to actually implement the sustainability initiatives required for certification. Green Business Benchmark° has a suite of hundreds of sustainability initiatives, ranging from low to high effort, cost, and impact, coupled with descriptions and key steps to take the guesswork out of sustainability for you. Completing these initiatives will help you get certified and improve your organization’s efficiency and ROI .
Strengthening Your B Impact Assessment Score The B Impact Assessment (BIA) is a key component of the B Corp certification process. It measures a company’s social and environmental performance across various criteria. Green Business Benchmark's initiatives complement the BIA criteria, based on key sustainability topics including energy & emissions, water, consumption & waste, transportation, governance, and social responsibility. As you complete initiatives in Green Business Benchmark's software, you will improve your BIA score and become a more sustainable organization.
Attracting Like-Minded Talent A strong commitment to sustainability can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent. Employees today are increasingly seeking out companies that align with their values, and a sustainability certification can signal to potential hires that your organization prioritizes environmental responsibility.
Further, the Green Business Benchmark° software has robust workplace & culture initiatives, giving you the tools to create and maintain a culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing. Employees can engage in sustainability initiatives, allowing them to contribute to efforts that they believe in. This can lead to a more motivated and engaged workforce, driving innovation and growth.
Building Resilience and Adaptability In a world faced with uncertainty, Green Business Benchmark's sustainability certification helps you implement initiatives that increase your organization’s resiliency and adaptability. The Green Business Benchmark° initiatives help you get ahead of anticipated challenges related to resource availability and meet regulatory requirements. Instead of figuring it out yourself, Green Business Benchmark° lays it out for you and helps you optimize your energy consumption, reduce emissions, minimize resources used, and maintain compliance with regulations.
Enhancing Customer Loyalty Consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their purchases. A sustainability certification can serve as a powerful marketing tool, signaling to customers that your organization is committed to sustainable practices. The Green Business Benchmark° certification demonstrates your commitment to sustainability year over year. The badge, which can be placed on your website and linked back to your public profile showing all completed initiatives, indicates your certification level and the year. This ensures that your certification stays up-to-date and provides consumers with reassurance that your status as a sustainable organization is verified.
Conclusion Incorporating sustainability certification into your business strategy is a powerful way to enhance your credibility, drive operational efficiency, attract top talent, build resilience, and strengthen customer loyalty. The Green Business Benchmark° certification will guide you in planning and implementing sustainability measures, as well as boosting your B Impact Assessment score. By taking practical steps to achieve certification, your business can contribute to a more sustainable future while reaping the numerous benefits of being recognized as a leader in sustainability.
Ready to take your B Corp status to the next level? Explore Green Business Benchmark° subscription plans and start your journey towards becoming a more sustainable and impactful organization today.
Learn more about Green Business Benchmark's sustainability certification helps organizations comply with regulations, boosts credibility, builds customer trust, and enhances profitability. Download our Case for Sustainability Certification White Paper .
