“B” the Change: B Corporations – Business Forces for Good
/Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by government and nonprofits alone. The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high quality jobs with dignity and purpose. By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.
An excellent example of a successful B Corporation is Danone. A leading global food & beverage company, Danone has four business units: Essential Diary and Plan Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Part of Danone’s mission is to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices around the world. This lines up with the company’s overall mission: “Danone, One Planet. One Health.” This mission reflects the belief that the overall health of people and the planet are interconnected. As such, Danone concentrates on high health and environmentally focused categories and commitment to operating in the most efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. Their program, aptly titled “Creating Dual,” has enabled Danone to create a culture that meets shareholder as well as societal values. Danone’s innovative approach to incorporating business and corporate social responsibility have been reflected in their certification and as one of the first multinationals to become a certified B Corporation.
Certified B Corporations like Danone, are legally required to consider the impact of their business decisions and how they affect their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. Currently, a B Corporation is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. For example, the B Impact Assessment evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impacts workers, community, environment, and customers. From the supply chain and input materials to charitable giving and employee benefits, B Corp Certification proves a business is meeting the highest standards of verified performance.
This performance is proven through positive impact which is supported by transparency and accountability requirements. B Corporation Certification doesn’t just prove where companies excel, it requires a commitment to consider stakeholder impact for the long term by building it a company’s legal structure.
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corporations are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
B Corps form a community of leaders and drive a global movement of people using business as a force for good. The values and aspirations of the B Corporation community are embedded in the B Corporation Declaration of Interdependence.
The B Corporation Declaration of Interdependence:
We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good.
This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation - the B Corporation -
Which is purpose-driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:
That we must be the change we seek in the world.
That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.
For more information on B Corporation certification, visit their website.
Read more about the exciting work that Danone is doing by visiting their website.