WHY B CORPS ARE CHANGING THE WORLD
B Corp, or B corporation, is the term used for any for-profit organisation or business that has been certified by B Labs as meeting higher standards of accountability, transparency and performance across their entire societal and environmental performance. That’s the technical terminology but the salient point to note here is that B corporations are a growing group of companies harnessing the power of business to bring about the necessary change our world so desperately needs.
B Corps aren’t just for the planet, they’re for people too and the certification process involves criteria as diverse as gender equality and climate action. In fact, B Corps are aiming to hit the UN’s 17 Sustainable development goals, which are:
The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals
- NO POVERTY
- ZERO HUNGER
- GOOD HEALTH & WELLBEING
- QUALITY EDUCATION
- GENDER EQUALITY
- CLEAN WATER & SANITATION
- AFFORDABLE & CLEAN ENERGY
- DECENT WORK & ECONOMIC GROWTH
- INDUSTRY, INNOVATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
- REDUCED INEQUALITY
- SUSTAINABLE CITIES & COMMUNITIES
- RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
- CLIMATE ACTION
- LIFE BELOW WATER
- LIFE ON LAND
- PEACE & JUSTICE STRONG INSTITUTIONS
- PARTNERSHIPS TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL
Image Credit: Maggie Stephenson
These goals were put in place in 2016 when 193 countries officially adopted the sustainable 2030 agenda that would see the addition of the Paris agreement for climate change come into effect in 2017.
WHY DO WE NEED B CORPS?
The answer is simple: Because although we can all do our bit for the planet and for humanity, businesses have a wider range of impact in which to make a positive change.
B Corps are paving the way for more businesses to copy their model, pull up their bootstraps and help be the change that we need to see in the world. They are setting the gold standard for what a good business should be and inspiring a race to the top, having knock on effects for legal standards, practices and operational methods across corporations and businesses all over the world.
As a consumer it is more than reassuring to see the B Corp logo on a product that you are considering purchasing - it’s a seal of approval and a green light, encouragement that there is good in the world and that big companies are fighting for it on your behalf. It gives you the power to use your money wisely, vote with your wallet and encourage more businesses to follow suit.
How do you become a B Corp?
It’s not something that happens overnight, in fact, it can take anything from 6 months to 6 years to get your certification. Once you have submitted everything, (more information on what that ‘everything’ actually is can be found here), your business is ranked and given a score for various different categories which when totalled has to reach at least 80 out of of 200 points in order to qualify.
DAME was certified in January 2019 by B Labs as having met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. These standards cover all areas of our business, across Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers.
We’re proud to be part of a growing group of companies that are reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit. Our mission is to tackle plastic period waste whilst still empowering women to have a choice over how they experience their period.
There are over 1,800 certified B Corps in over 50 countries across 130 different industries.
Every business is different, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that only businesses that have an obviously positive environmental impact become certified. For us, important business practices that contributed to our B Corp certification include rethinking resources, supporting women’s health and wellbeing and striving for gender parity.
Our planet and our society’s most challenging problems can’t be saved by individuals, non-profits and the government alone. By harnessing the power of corporations big and small we stand a better chance of reducing poverty, living in a cleaner and healthier environment, closing the gender inequality gap and providing jobs and opportunities with real purpose.
Is the company you work for a B Corp?
At DAME we want to be part of the solution, not the problem. If the company you work for isn't certified yet then we urge you to nag your boss, CEO or whoever calls the shots and get them to understand how they could be using the influence they have for a resounding greater good.
It's also a great networking tool - we meet with our friends at Propercorn and Innocent every few months to catch up on what each other are doing to drive change in our different areas. And, if you're looking for a job and you care about people and the planet, then use the B Corp certification as a yardstick to sniff out those businesses making waves in a sea of environmental and societal stagnation.
Check out some of our favourite B Corp companies below
Keeping your home clean, (and toxin free) Method cleaning products are made from natural ingredients which are effective yet still kind to the planet.
For emergencies Doisy & Dom chocolates.
For your 5 a day Abel & Cole organic veg delivery boxes.
Going to the movies Propercorn.
Breakfast on the run Innocent smoothies for the win.
