Chris Turner
Executive Director, B Lab UK
The UK has one of the fastest-growing communities of sustainable businesses in the world, with over 1,200 companies now certified as meeting high standards of social and environmental performance.
It can feel disheartening to be an environmentally or socially conscious consumer right now. Despite many products and brands making sustainable claims, it’s not always easy to find companies that have made an authentic commitment to people and the planet. Our latest research has found that the vast majority of UK customers (80%) favour buying from ‘good’ companies but just one in five (22%) say it’s easy to seek them out.
Businesses with high standards
Certified B Corps are companies that are modelling how business should be done. They have made a legal commitment to consider people and the planet alongside profit in their decision-making — something 72% of the public agrees should be the norm for business.
Alongside this legal change, they commit to high standards of environmental and social performance as a business and to being transparent and accountable for their positive impact. This means they measure their impact on customers, workers, communities and the environment. Knowing that no business is perfect, they commit to continuously improving to help us move towards the economy we need.
The challenges facing our planet cannot wait, and businesses must act urgently to become a force for good.
Know who to support
B Corps exist in every sector of our economy, from clothing brands like Finisterre, Chloe and Patagonia to food and drink businesses such as DASH Water, Lucky Saint and Tony’s Chocolonely. Businesses certified so far in 2023 include beauty brands Elemis and Wild and phone company GiffGaff.
March was B Corp Month, the annual celebration of what it means to be part of a growing community of sustainable businesses. The theme for 2023 is We Go Beyond, with businesses demonstrating how they’re going beyond expectations to reinvent the way business is done. Look out for certified businesses shouting about the impact they’re making and encouraging others to do more.
The challenges facing our planet cannot wait, and businesses must act urgently to become a force for good. For the rest of us, seeking out those who are already moving in the right direction is a small change we can make — with a big impact.
Find out more here.