"Grounded and aware straddling wonder and despair"

“Grounded and aware straddling wonder and despair.”

That perfectly sums up how I feel right now.

I was stopped in my tracks when last week I read?this beautiful piece?of writing by Dr Jonathan Foley.

Some days it really is difficult to balance the level of terrifying scientific evidence emerging with the need to act with more urgency.

When I say act, I mean to do what we can to make the most positive difference to people and the planet within the time we have.

So I’d like to share with you how my week has been filled with wonder and despair;

Wonder

If I am going to buy anything I try really hard only to buy from businesses that really get it and are using their business as a force for good.?

One such example is?Y.O.U., one of my favourite B Corps. When I buy something from Y.O.U. I know (because they tell me) that they donate two pairs of underwear to Smalls for All! Smalls for All is a charity that collects underwear for people in Africa and the UK who can't afford or can't get any. It’s hard to imagine that in 2023 the lives of so many people are negatively impact because they can’t afford underwear. Find out more about this incredible charity?here

That’s it.

Book recommendation:?I’m currently reading?Solutionists by Solitaire Townsend?and I’m really inspired by some incredible businesses that are courageous, compassionate and committed to shaping a better world.

Highly recommend.

Despair

It’s important to recognise that for all of the good news out there, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the social and environmental challenges we are facing are much worse than all global scientists predicted.

So what can we do?

Professor Kevin Anderson offers an insightful, yet?sobering update?on where we are and what we need to do about the Climate Emergency. Well worth a read.

Two years ago, UN Secretary General António Guterres announced a Code Red for humanity.

Yet Business As Usual continues to dominate boardrooms, and that needs to change, and urgently, if humanity is to survive.

Thank you to all of you who recognise the need for radical change and are stepping up.

Together, we can and must achieve more and faster.

Have a great rest of the week.

Best wishes,

Donna

Leadership for Good: Accepting Applications

We are now accepting applications for our Leadership for Good programme starting this September.

This programme is for leaders, consultants, strategists and in-business sustainability advocates looking to advise on the principles of good business. You may be a business consultant who’s keen to learn more about the role of business in shaping a more sustainable future. Or perhaps you work for a business that’s keen to improve its impact and has been considering B Corp certification.

Our five-session programme offers a holistic understanding of the B Corp certification process within the wider context of ‘business as a force for good’.

Learn more about the programme and submit your application below.

Our Next Members Forum

Our next members forum is on the 7th September at 10am.?We'll be joined by Vlora Salihi, Baroness du Choco at Tony’s Chocolonely, aka Head of Sales UK&I. We also welcome Sassi Stuckey-Beeri, Fundraising Manager at The Hunger Project UK.

B Curious?

The number of B Corps in the UK has increased by 70% since November 2022. The Movement is gaining real traction, which is great news for people and the planet.

And at UK for Good, we are receiving a significant increase in enquiries from business leaders who want to know more and are keen to embark on their B Corp journey.

Are you interested in committing to being a better business??We are excited to invite you to a?B Corp FAQ call.

This is an opportunity to ask me or one of our expert B Corp Consultants any questions about the B Corp journey, whether you are in the process of completing your BIA or don't know where to start.