B Lab

???? New podcast episode alert! As trust in traditional institutions declines, businesses are increasingly under pressure to step up as agents of societal change. In this episode of @Mission Forward, @B Lab's own @Sarah Schwimmer and @Mission Partners’ @Bridget Pooley dive into the evolving role of business in addressing the world’s biggest challenges. Highlights include: - The explosive growth of the B Corp movement ?? - Real-world examples of B Corps, like @Legacy Vacation Resorts, empowering employee voting ??? - The debate on shareholder vs. stakeholder capitalism ?? ?? Tune in to learn how purpose-driven companies are navigating the complexities of today’s business landscape and making a real impact: https://bit.ly/4fMF4qG

???? COP29 has arrived—and it’s putting climate justice front and center. As world leaders, advocates, and businesses gather in Azerbaijan, the spotlight is on climate justice—ensuring that the communities most affected by climate change have the resources and support they need to thrive. From enabling capital flows to strengthening local resilience, #COP29 is an opportunity to address the inequalities amplified by the climate crisis. At B Lab, we’re committed to mobilizing businesses as a force for climate justice. That’s why the draft standards for #BCorpCertification entail companies to advance climate justice in their climate transition plans. This means actively supporting frontline communities in business practices. ?? Swipe right to learn more, and download B Lab U.S. & Canada’s Business Guide to Advancing Climate Justice to see how your business can make a difference: https://bit.ly/3QxvcGR

With AI technology reshaping every industry, B Lab believes companies like OpenAI have an added responsibility to structure themselves for societal benefit. Speaking with Chris Stokel-Walker from Fast Company, our co-founder Andrew Kassoy emphasized the opportunity—and urgency—for AI leaders to prioritize transparency, accountability, and governance that benefits society. "This moment is reminiscent of the early days of social media," he noted, stressing that AI's potential impact calls for robust oversight to ensure it serves all stakeholders, not just profit. As OpenAI works toward redefining the ethical landscape of artificial intelligence, adhering to high standards of social and environmental impact, like the ones for #BCorpCertification, would allow them to live up to its mission of ensuring that artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. Should AI companies adopt third-party standards to foster trust and transparency? Let us know in the comments below ??? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/edk9_hEv #AI #EthicalAI #OpenAI

At B Lab, we understand that no single organization can tackle complex global challenges alone; it takes a united effort to create lasting impact. That’s why we’re happy to see the progress of WageMap, an initiative born from the collaboration of six organizations dedicated to establishing a best practice standard for calculating living wage rates worldwide. WageMap is seeking input from corporations, workers, civil society organizations, and government bodies. Your insights will help them develop a robust Living Wage Reference Standard that reflects the needs of communities worldwide. By joining these consultations, you'll be contributing to a vital conversation about fair pay and economic justice. Ready to lend your voice? Find out more and register for a session here: https://lnkd.in/emy4h6jb #Consultation #LivingWage

At the heart of #BCorp Certification are rigorous standards that ensure companies prioritize worker wellbeing—including fair wages, comprehensive benefits, inclusive hiring practices, and career growth opportunities. With a commitment to shared prosperity, B Corps are reimagining the workplace—not only as a place of employment but as a source of support, resilience, and growth for their teams. And while #BCorps don’t implement these initiatives with immediate financial gains in mind, data suggests that their commitment to worker wellness and equity may well lead to topline growth. Studies show that B Corps are likely to see stronger workforce growth and higher revenue than traditional businesses, signaling that impact-driven companies can enjoy sustainable success without sacrificing their values. ?? How does your company support its people? Tell us in the comments! Photo Credit: Mykola Romanovsky

What happens when consumers spot the #BCorp logo? ?? According to our #BCorp Brand Awareness Report, seeing the #CertifiedBCorp logo on products influences consumer decisions in a big way. In a recent U.S. study from EcoFocus, 85% of consumers aware of B Corp Certification reported that it directly impacts their purchase choices. This trend is global: from Latin America to the UK, campaigns featuring the B Corp logo have boosted both brand awareness and sales, showing just how much consumers value brands dedicated to people and the planet. Discover how B Corp Certification is shaping the future of conscious consumerism in our full report: https://bit.ly/4ePmgae

?? Since businesses depend on nature at every stage of the value chain, the conversations at COP16 emphasized their crucial responsibility to take meaningful action in halting and reversing nature’s loss, ultimately ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for everyone. In this context, the team at Sistema B Colombia attended the summit to engage in critical conversations about the role of business in shaping a sustainable future. They encouraged visitors to rethink the traditional, shareholder-centered economic model by highlighting the success stories of thousands of #BCorps around the world. These companies are centering nature, people, and communities in their decision-making—and thriving financially while doing so—proving that business success can be measured by more than just profit. ?? Swipe right to discover what the outcomes of #COP16 mean for the business world, and how the team at Sistema B Colombia championed the #BCorp movement, demonstrating that business can indeed be a powerful force for good. What role do you believe business should play in the climate crisis? Let us know in the comments below! ?? #ClimateAction #Biodiversity Sistema B

???? Newsletter alert! This month in our Forces for Good newsletter, we explore an emerging dialogue at the intersection of AI and the #BCorp movement, taking lessons from nearly two decades of purpose-driven business. As companies like OpenAI navigate the ethical challenges of rapid AI innovation, they’re also facing calls to prioritize accountability, governance, and public benefit. ?? Top insights in this issue: - AI companies can look to #BCorps for guidance in defining a clear purpose within their charters, ensuring that technology serves the public good—not just profit margins. - From measurable impact reporting to open stakeholder engagement, B Corps have set a high standard. Christopher Marquis and Andrew Kassoy agree that companies like OpenAI must follow suit with clear, annual impact disclosures to build public trust and keep the company aligned with their mission. - Purpose-aligned governance models are key to mission durability. Drawing on examples from Patagonia and The Guardian, we explore how these structures could help AI companies stay true to their commitments even as they scale and grow. ?? Read the full newsletter to dive into how the #BCorp movement’s pillars of purpose, transparency, and governance are inspiring responsible AI and beyond. #Sustainability #AIEthics

?? Gen Z is setting new standards for business—and B Corps are listening. Our latest report shows brand awareness for #BCorp Certification is strongest among young consumers, reflecting a powerful generational shift towards values-driven choices and meaningful impact. As customers, employees, and even founders, #GenZ is pushing businesses to prioritize genuine impact, transparency, and accountability. For Hazel Horvath, founder of Ecolytics, the stakes couldn’t be clearer: “Gen Z has made it clear…they want to work for and buy from companies that share their values.” For her, #BCorpCertification is a way to cut through greenwashing, offering proof of real impact. ?? Read our full report to find out how the B Corp brand connects with and builds trust among the next generation: https://bit.ly/4ePmgae

????New episode alert from Sistema B Colombia's #ConversacionesB Podcast! Join B Lab Global's Head of Policy, Marcel Fukayama, as he sits down with inspiring leaders from our global network: Andrew Davies, CEO at B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand; Chris Turner, Executive Director at B Lab UK; David Leathers, Senior Program Manager at B Lab Global; and Lucy Muigai, CEO of B Lab Africa. Together, they dive into what it takes to build an economy rooted in purpose, accountability, and sustainability—and how the #BCorp movement is leading the way. "If a business is true to its purpose, the reality is that its work of positive impact will probably never end. There's no point where a business can say 'I'm done, I've solved all the problems', if you keep lifting rocks, if you keep accepting your obligation to engage with stakeholders, you will keep finding more work to do." — Andrew Davies. ???Tune in now: https://lnkd.in/eRU6DEaT