Achievable and credible pathway to Net Zero. Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities. Whether that be by supporting the local community or launching a larger initiative to support the world as a whole, smart business leaders understand the importance of making a difference, big and small. GBB provides a collection of tools and opportunities for member companies to share, differentiate, and be recognized for their greening achievements with customers, prospects, partners, regulators, and communities alike. Professional certification in one of them means youve demonstrated an understanding of sustainability and green building principles, in general, as well as the certification framework of the particular program. The vegan certification by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) ensures that a product does not contain any animal-related materials. It not only demonstrates your commitment to employees and partners internally, but it verifies your sustainability to customers and community. In addition, companies utilizing a clear implementation framework that starts with a business case are three times more likely to report success than those that dont. This study found that 88% of companies with solid sustainability practices had a better operational performance. Sustainability Certifications: Understanding All Your Options Companies considering B Corp certification can complete the assessment as a first step to see if they qualify and to better understand their compliance gap. Sustainability Certification for Companies Opens for Public - Greenbiz Our certification team has one goalhelp you prove your company commitment to safety, sustainability, and putting your customers' best interest first. And neither of the two will be able to break down in landfill. Environmental certification is a method used to monitor and improve environmental practises. In this guide, we analyse the most popular ones. Reduce energy use and minimise waste. To help get you started, we've rounded up a sample of accreditation schemes: Enter your postcode to find business support and case studies from businesses from within your region. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are several 3rd party certifications however that can be used to both show your results and prove they are verified. This way, buyers are empowered to make better purchasing decisions. In fact, 48% of U.S. consumers would change buying habits to reduce environmental impacts and 86% of US consumers expect companies to act on social, environmental issues. This simple but flexible structure ensures a company can easily target and implement the efforts that best suit the companys needs and opportunities. The business standards and improvement company has three people in its Cambridge premises. how to provide and share the details of your sustainability program with your stakeholders as opposed to obtaining a formal certification. You will have access to our powerful, online waste management portal, giving you total visibility and control over the fate of your business waste, helping to ensure that it doesn't damage the environment. Companies applying must undergo a rigorous certification process and meet a long list of significant conditions. The Testing, Inspection, and Certification Market Is Expected to Reach $143.3 Billion, at a CAGR of 5.4% during the Forecast Period 2020-2027. Sustainability Certifications - Sustainable Business Network But what if reporting isnt your thing? The most popular certification organizations include LEED, ISO, B-Corp, and Green Business Bureau. The problem? Successful sustainability and greening efforts require executive leadership and expert guidance. We are SGS - the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. This nicely named certification ensures that a company does not take part in animal testing for their final product, as well as every single ingredient in that product. Buildings that are LEED certified have been designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in energy efficiency, water efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, improved indoor air quality and resource stewardship. In fact, most customers researching a solution, product or service will often seek out companies with well regarded seals and certifications. Its a commitment to making business changes that really make an impact. From farmers and agricultural traders, oil and sugar mills to biodiesel and ethanol plants, and finally biofuels traders and independent warehouses, all operators in the agricultural supply chain need to be able to demonstrate the sustainability of their working practices. A logo youve probably seen somewhere, its often the go-to when looking for furniture and/or wood-based products. child labor isnt prohibited. Copyright 2023 - All Rights Reserved, Clearyst GBB LLC, GREEN BUSINESS BUREAU CERTIFICATION GUIDE. According to the British Business Bank report, 94% of small businesses have already taken at least one action to reduce emissionsLink opens in a new window. Eventually, official sustainability accounting standards will emerge similar to the financial accounting standards we have today that are highly regulated. There are many tangible business benefits that certification programs uncover. Better Cotton is a non-profit organisation advocating for better practices within cotton communities. Proven green accreditation developed & audited by experts. Doing so not only requires complex attribution of circular content from raw materials to the finished product but it also helps account for the ecosystem of the suppliers involved. The International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), The Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO). Furthermore, despite the commonly held belief that pursuing sustainability is solely a long-term strategy, research shows there are tangible, short-term improvements within operations and profit. Third-party organisations such as the British Standards Institution (BSI) and the British Assessment Bureau offer certification services designed to help you implement an environmental management system and comply with ISO 14001 standards. The U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). To be GOTS-certified, a product has to prove to be at least 70% organic*, and the entire supply chain and manufacturing is monitored. In many cases, they are looking for a detailed report describing your commitments, accomplishments and carbon footprint. The WELL Building Standard is a roadmap for creating and certifying spaces that advance human health and well-being across 10 core concepts. Please join the conversation on LinkedIn to let me and your fellow readers know what else is out there. Executive leadership and 2. After assessing a companys current emissions, Climate Partner offers five solutions: a corporate carbon footprint for companies, a product carbon footprint for a product or service, a carbon emission reduction strategy, carbon offsetting to achieve climate neutrality, and communicating these commitments. Sustainability within the textile industry with Sunbury Design, Green Mark interviewed Black White Denims CEO and asked her some questions about her what she has achieved with Green Mark, We use cookies to enhance the performance of our website, and to better personalize content for you, our users. It is designed to help companies provide better information to support informed capital allocation. The benefits of a sustainable business certification go well beyond a seal or certificate of proof. Executives and managers have also seen significant cost savings and waste reduction from new sustainability initiatives uncovered in the certification process. 9 Steps to Making B Corp Easy (okay, easier). Another Accenture study of 6000 consumers found that while consumers remain primarily focused on quality and price, 83% believe its important or extremely important for companies to design products that are meant to be reused or recycled, proving the influence that the eco-conscious consumer has in todays market. Those top two categories are at the core of most corporate sustainability work, but it was particularly exciting to see circular economy, equity and social justice, and human rights in the supply chain achieving double-digit interest. Its designed to help companies provide better information to support informed capital allocation. Certification programs can also provide best practices and step-by-step guidelines to help ensure businesses can actually accomplish the necessary tasks to accomplish a new green program. Sustainability Certifications: Easy Guide for Consumers - MindsetEco The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) This worldwide sustainability certification is only awarded to organic fibers and textiles that comply with a strict set of criteria. Branding & Design Its a commitment to making business changes that really make an impact. With sustainability becoming the norm for modern-day businesses, green certifications affirm those values by proactively analysing and reporting a company's adherence to ESG goals in their strategies and day-to-day operations. The AEE offers dozens of certifications around energy management, sustainable development and utility services for the commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, energy services and utility sectors. That all said, the U.S. organic market has grown so big that some say the current system is not up to scratch and that it needs an overhaul. The benefits of sustainability certifications for business go well beyond a rating, a seal or certificate of proof. In a 2019 publication by Accenture, titled UNGC Accenture Strategy CEO Study on Sustainability (2019), its stated that 99% of large company CEOs agreed that sustainability issues are important to the future success of their businesses. Companies are often scored on each green activity they complete. Read more. An online assessment makes it easy to identify where a companys sustainability efforts stand currently and map out areas to focus on in order to become more sustainable long-term. You'll be taken to our interactive map. Third-party certifiers carry out a yearly review and audit. Let us build you a roadmap to become truly future proof, Our 3 step sustainability consulting approach sets your business, An informed workforce drives sustainability forward in your business. A program focused on sustainability may seem overwhelming at times, especially for small business owners or small companies who are busy running the ins and outs of their companies. These types of programs take the guesswork out of sustainability for businesses and hone in on the specific areas where their companies will be able to not only make a difference to the world but also save money and earn more customers. Also remember that professional certifications are not the only way to gain credibility. It ensures that end-products (every single part of it) are free from harmful chemicals. "ULE 880 - Sustainability for Manufacturing Organizations" is a points-based standard that will feature three levels of certification. The Forest Stewardship Council aims to set the world-leading forest management standards, for example prohibiting deforestation, protecting ecological values and endangered species, and restricting the use of hazardous pesticides. Climate neutrality works best in combination with efforts to keep emissions low in first place. It maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. An ISO 14001 certification is well respected and understood in the industry, but it is a major undertaking. If you later find out that you need to know a different standard for a particular role, you can learn it on the job or through a training program at that time. Initiatives are very granular and well-defined, and the library is designed to capture your completed initiatives and give you full credit for all your accomplishments. Speaking of reporting, sustainability reporting (frequently referred to as "ESG reporting") is a specific skillset within the broader sustainability profession thats in particularly high demand. Ready for your Company to Become a Recognized Green Leader? Green Globes is a comprehensive, science-based building rating system that supports a wide range of new construction and existing building project types. These types of programs take the guesswork out of sustainability for businesses and hone in on the specific areas where their companies will be able to not only make a difference to the world, but also save money and attract more customers and partners. For a full list of published standards in the series see their standards catalogue. Nature and fitness lover, low-waste enthusiast, and activist. For starters, fisheries that have not yet achieved the sustainability standards can still get certified. Others include: Investors in the Environment. This guides explains how our online certification program works. Circular Economy - Sustainable Materials Management: Lund University. A program focused on ESG may seem overwhelming at times. I wrote an articlelast year that attempted to answer that question and continues to be a reader favorite. Our 97,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. They are comparable in that both programs will provide you with a blueprint and solid foundation to track and manage your social and environmental performance. Once a certified member, brands can then use the guaranteed fair trade label on any and all of their products. However, despite all the good stuff, B Corp is not immune to criticism and here, weve made a summary of the complaints in a more detailed post about the certification. B Corporation certification establishes very high standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability that may be difficult for some businesses to meet. For technical issues, please visit ourMember Help Center. This certification also means the product involved no animal testing. (Leaping Bunny Program in the US and Canada and Cruelty Free International globally). Were big fans of this one and a few of our sustainable fashion clients swear by it! 2023 GreenerMetter. They are rigorously screened for true environmental impact through UN-accredited independent auditors, and they require the involvement of local stakeholders and NGOs. Youve likely heard of it or are maybe even thinking of applying and fairly so. Starting the certification process early in your sustainable business journey often leads to implementing environmentally sustainable business practices that drive innovation and profitability. Across the board, successful green companies cite two key factors in driving their success: 1. Standards and Certifications - Green Business: Sources of Information Benefits of Sustainability Certifications, Sustainable Business Certification Options, Sustainability Certification Implementation, Why Sustainability Certifications for Business Really Matters, How Sustainability Certifications Force Companies to Improve, Bernhard: Leading the Transition To an Energy-Efficient World, Doteasy Technology Inc: A Certified Sustainable Web Hosting Solution. Having a renowned eco-label can aid a fashion brand's transparency and help navigate a complex market. Simplification is key. These factors include your carbon footprint, how you source your materials and supplies and how much energy your business requires to operate. But they have come under scrutiny, for a variety of reasons including using GMO, non-organic cotton, and forced labour in China. Demonstrating your business's green credentials can be enhanced by undergoing more formal accreditation. The Rainforest Alliance label on a product means that 90% of the products ingredients were sourced from farms or forest operations that protect farmers, forests, wildlife, and local communities. Lets remember that any reliable certification is better than meaningless green claims like farm fresh or natural, or even ingratiating green colored packaging with nothing sustainable behind it. Of particular relevance is the ISO 14001 (environmental management systems). Reference to any organisation, business and event on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from the British Business Bank or the UK Government. In November 2018, SASB published these standards to be globally applicable and industry-specific. The GBB seal is well-recognized so member businesses get positive recognition of their commitment to sustainability and the environment. The top 13 sustainability certifications for UK businesses Buildings that are LEED certified have been designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in energy efficiency, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reductions, improved indoor air quality and resource stewardship. It also lays out a handful of green initiatives that can be implemented and reviewed for short-term completion. Further, companies utilizing a clear implementation framework that starts with a business case are three times more likely to report success than those that dont. But they also address supply chains, environmental and social practices, and chemical contents. In a final report of an eight-year study of how corporations address sustainability from MIT Sloan Management Review, researchers found that 90% of executives see sustainability as important but only 60% of companies have a sustainability strategy and have taken real action beyond a few stand-alone initiatives. Sustainability Certifications: What Do They Actually Mean? ISO 14001 maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. The information is intended for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal situation, nor does it constitute legal, financial, tax or other professional advice. According to British Business Bank researchLink opens in a new window, smaller businesses are estimated to account for half of all UK's business-driven emissions. The Living Building Challenge has been described as the worlds most rigorous green building and sustainable design certification standard. They can build upon each other and help ensure eco-friendly and socially-responsible programs are ingrained into each part of the company. Sustainability certification offers the following advantages: a targeted approach to the rapidly growing target group enhancement of the company's reputation proof of the company's future viability proven, excellent marketing benefit of the certificate and seal increased corporate attractiveness