What Are Sustainable Business Certifications and Why Are They Important?

March is B Corp Month, and one of the easiest ways for consumers to be informed about the brands they support is by checking to see if those businesses have sustainability business certificates, like B Corp and Fair Trade certifications.

Why are sustainable business certifications important?

Sustainable business certifications are verified by third-party companies to hold businesses accountable for the good they pledge to do. They are a wonderful checks-and-balances system that grows consumer confidence. Buying from companies that have sustainable business certificates is simply better for the planet and workers. And while B Corp certification is typically regarded as the top mark of a sustainable business, it’s not the only certification businesses can earn to signal their efforts for the health of the planet and its people.

1% for the Planet

According to 1% for the Planet, only three percent of all philanthropic giving goes to environmental causes. The worsening climate crisis makes contributing to eco-campaigns and vetted environmental organizations crucial, and 1% for the Planet is a 501c3 nonprofit that is attempting to change that.

Founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, and Craig Matthews, the founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is attempting to encourage smart eco-giving. 1% for the Planet certified brands and businesses donate 1% of all annual sales or salary to environmental causes. A credible third-party checks financial records for businesses wishing to become 1% for the Planet certified. Earning 1% for the Planet status requires complete and total financial transparency from members.

At a glance, 1% might not seem like a big enough chunk; however, 1% for the Planet businesses have given over $265 million to well-vetted environmental nonprofits since 2002 ¹. Visit the 1% for the Planet directory to find members or look for the logo on labels and product packaging

Fair Trade

Fair Trade certified businesses must verify their supply chain standards. From bananas to chocolate, and clothing to beauty products, the mission of Fair Trade companies is to create a world where producers earn dignified wages in safe environments ². Fair Trade certifications are a great indication that the product you are buying has been made in safe working conditions, for a fair price, and with responsibly-sourced ingredients and materials.

In order to obtain a Fair Trade certificate, FLOCERT, an independent third-party organization, verifies that Fair Trade Standards are met by all parties in the supply chain and all ingredients of a product ³. Every part of the production process is examined in great detail. In addition to meeting the rigorous Fair Trade standards, businesses must also meet all national law requirements to be marked certified.

Visit the Fair Trade product directory or easily identify certified products with the Fair Trade logo.

B Corp certification

B Corps share the mission of ensuring their impact is a positive one. There are currently over 4,000 B Corp-certified businesses globally, including everything from food corporations to clothing companies ⁴. Certified B Corp businesses share a core set of foundational values, which they integrate into their work to balance profit and purpose. When a company earns B Corp certification, it means they have met “the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.” ⁵ B Corp companies, like Inspire, are committed to bettering the planet and its people. To earn this B Corp standing, companies must first take the B Impact Assessment that is free and accessible online. The assessment is a thorough questionnaire that breaks down parts of a business into five categories: 1) how a business governs itself, 2) treats its employees, 3) environmental impact, 4) customer communication and 5) social issues.

As a proud certified B Corp, we make it easy to take climate action from the comfort of your home by switching your electricity supplier to Inspire. When you become an Inspire member, not only will you access 100% clean energy and help reduce carbon emissions, you will receive a predictable monthly price for electricity supply to reduce bill volatility throughout the year. Just one year of accessing clean energy with Inspire can have an impact equivalent to seven years of recycling. And that’s not all — for every year that you are an Inspire member, we'll provide clean energy solutions to one person in critical need for one year through our Brighter World Project with GivePower.

So what are you waiting for? Access clean energy for one flat monthly price—subscribe today.