What is A benefit corporation?
B-Corporations use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
"B Corp certification is to sustainable business what LEED certification is to green building or Fair Trade certification is to coffee. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Today, there is a growing community of over 1,000 Certified B Corps from more than 30 countries and 60 industries working together toward 1 unifying goal: to redefine success in business.
Through the leadership of the B Corp Community, laws have been passed in 26 states, plus DC, creating a new type of corporation—the benefit corporation—that best meets the needs of entrepreneurs and investors seeking to use business as a force for good."
Learn more in the video below!
"B Corp certification is to sustainable business what LEED certification is to green building or Fair Trade certification is to coffee. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Today, there is a growing community of over 1,000 Certified B Corps from more than 30 countries and 60 industries working together toward 1 unifying goal: to redefine success in business.
Through the leadership of the B Corp Community, laws have been passed in 26 states, plus DC, creating a new type of corporation—the benefit corporation—that best meets the needs of entrepreneurs and investors seeking to use business as a force for good."
Learn more in the video below!
Patagonia's work as a b-corporation
Governance: Board includes independent members to represent interests of Community and Environment; Works within industry to develop social & environmental standards; Shares financials with employees
Workers: Extends health benefits to part-time, retail, warehouse staff; 50% full time employee participate in external professional development; >80% coverage of health insurance premiums for full-time workers Community: 100% of significant suppliers made transparent on website; >40% of management are women or ethnic minorities; >25% of employees took time off for community service; 1% of sales donated to environmental NGOs Environment: 75% of materials used are environmentally preferred (organic, recycled, etc); 30% of suppliers meet bluesign® standards for environmentally advanced apparel manufacturing; Some facilities LEED Certified; >5% of energy use is generated on-site |
1% for the planet
Patagonia has given 1% of its profits to preservation and restoration of the environment since 1985. In total, they have donated over $46 million in cash to various domestic and international grassroots organizations. Now, 1% for the Planet is an alliance of businesses all striving to create a change in the way corporations operate, while creating positive environmental change.