Why B Corp?
Economies and societies operate within our biosphere. Each layer is interdependent with the others.
At Black Skies Blue we recognise that while environmental action is incredibly important, net zero is not enough to move us towards a fairer, kinder, more joyful economy in a just transition.
For that, we need an equal commitment to economic, social and environmental wellbeing for people and planet.
By focusing exclusively on shareholder value this wider perspective gets missed.
Business leaders can be ambitious and lead the way through a just transition to a wellbeing economy for Scotland.
They do this by first understanding their impact on people AND planet then amplifying their positive impacts and reducing, or removing, their negative ones.
B Leader
One of the best tools around to help you do that is the B Corp accreditation.
B Corps meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
B Corps are legally committed to consider the impact of their decisions on all their stakeholders, people AND planet, not just shareholders.
Jayne leads on our B Corp work. She is a B Leader. A B leader is an experienced sustainability professional who has completed B Lab UK’s B Leaders training programme.
B Leaders share an in-depth knowledge of the B Corp framework for measuring and managing a business’ impact on all its stakeholders.
"B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials."
To B or not to B?
Is B Corp right for your company?
To find out more and to book into one of our free B Corp 1:1 clinics please click here.
“I was hugely keen on B-Corp accreditation, but the process was far too onerous and bewildering for me to attempt.
Thankfully, Jayne led me through it, demystifying, explaining and prioritising as we went. I just wouldn’t have managed it without her.”
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
A B Corp is a company that meets the hghest standards of environmental and social performance. B Corps are legally committed to consider the impact of their decisions on all their stakeholders, not just shareholders.
By placing shareholder profits above all else, businesses have harmed our societies and our planet.
B Corps are part of a mission to transform the role of business in society, and create a thriving planet and prosperous future for all of us.
Click here to find out more.
There are so many accreditations or badges you can earn, and wear as you signal where you are on your journey to become a more sustainable company.
Why B Corp stands out:
- It looks at sustainability from a rounded perspective, considering both your social floor and your ecological limits.
- It encompasses other certifications. So, for example, if you are already fairtrade, or a living wage employer, these count towards your B Corp score.
- Your results in the B Impact Assessment are pulled into the SDG Action Manager which allows a straight read across to the Sustainable Development Goals.
- It is more than a certification. B Corp UK works on different levels, from the supportive community to advocacy work through the Better Business Act.
- Awareness of the certificate is high. There are over 6,500 B Coprs globally and over 1,200 in the UK. Press mentions range from the Fiananical Times, to Forbes to the Guardian.
The opportunities associated with B Corp accreditation are mounting as the movement grows.
B Corp UK survey of 352 B Corps found, compared to similar surveys of UK SMEs:
- Have faster growth in turnover and employee headcount
- Greater levels of employee retention, engagement and diversity
- More robust governance processes
- Higher levels of innovation
- Higher expectations of future growth.
A recent study found 80% of the UK public would favour shopping from companies that are doing good for people and the planet, yet only 22% find it easy to identify whether a company means what they say when considering buying from them.