Vermont-based Green Mountain Power (GMP) has become the first utility in the world to become a Certified B Corp, according to a recent announcement.GMP says it is helping to lead a transformation that is delivering cutting edge energy products and services to help Vermonters save money by using less energy. This year GMP even lowered rates for customers.B Corps are companies that believe business can be a force for good and are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
Vermont-based Green Mountain Power (GMP) has become the first utility in the world to become a Certified B Corp, according to a recent announcement.
GMP says it is helping to lead a transformation that is delivering cutting edge energy products and services to help Vermonters save money by using less energy. This year GMP even lowered rates for customers.
B Corps are companies that believe business can be a force for good and are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
There are 1,165 B Corporations in 37 countries, including 21 in Vermont. To receive a B Corp certification, GMP had to show its record of accomplishment and ongoing commitment in four areas: environment, employees, community and governance.
A New Era for Brand Integrity: Navigating the Greenhush-Greenwash Spectrum
Join us as leaders from Republik, NielsenIQ, Conspirators, Henoscene, be/co, The Guardian and Room & Board analyze what newly expanded notions of brand integrity mean for brands, and how to be smarter about picking language choices that avoid the dangerous extremes of greenhushing and greenwashing — Thurs, May 9, at Brand-Led Culture Change.
The 21 Certified B Corps in Vermont are: Vermont Creamery, Business Culture Consultants, Image Outfitters, Cabot Creamery Co-Op, Merritt & Merritt & Moulton, Morris Consulting, Rhino Foods, Advance Humanity, Coffee Enterprises, Ben & Jerry's, Forward Philanthropy, Gardners Supply, King Arthur Flour Company, Sustain, SunCommon, New Chapter, Chroma, Clean Ethics, Seventh Generation, Clean Yield and Green Mountain Power.
In October, Washington, D.C.-based clean energy company Arcadia Power became the first nationwide clean energy B Corporation after meeting the rigorous social, environmental and legal standards of B Lab. Driven by a mission to democratize clean energy, Arcadia Power allows businesses and individuals to upgrade their offices or homes to 100 percent clean energy without any additional equipment, for just a 1.5 cents per kWh premium. The company’s proprietary software connects online utility accounts with a clean energy purchasing platform, imports all the energy data, and displays it in a web dashboard with information on rewards, savings and impact.
Since 2012, B Lab has used its annual “Best for the World” list to honor B Corporations across 20 countries and 25 industries for redefining success in business. This year, Sungevity and Trillium Asset Management were among the 67 businesses to make the list. To be recognized, firms each had to earn an overall score in the top 10 percent of all certified B Corporations on the B Impact Assessment, a comprehensive assessment a company's impact on its workers, community and the environment.
Published Dec 2, 2014 11am EST / 8am PST / 4pm GMT / 5pm CET
Managing Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Deutsche Bank
Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental and business goals. Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers.
(read more ...)