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What Sustainability Certifications Are There For Businesses?
As environmental concerns continue to rise, businesses are increasingly expected to take proactive steps toward mitigating their environmental impact. One way to showcase a company’s commitment to sustainability is through certifications. There is a wide array of sustainability certifications available for businesses, each with its own set of standards and requirements. Some of the most widely recognized certifications include:
Aclymate’s certification program is designed to empower companies to combat climate change with three distinct levels to meet diverse needs and ambitions of businesses. They include the Climate Wise Certification (taking first steps towards climate action by committing and measuring emissions), Climate Leader Certification (setting and meeting yearly emissions reduction goals and offsetting what cannot be reduced), and Net Zero Certification (pledging your commitment to slashing your business emissions in half by 2030, in alignment with the Paris Agreement). Annual pricing for Acylmate services is as follows: Starter ($120), Professional ($288), Turn Key ($2988), Climate 360 (Request quote). No additional fees are required for certification.
B Lab is a nonprofit organization that awards the certification to businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corp is designed to recognize companies that use business as a force for good. It reflects a company’s commitment to having a positive impact on society and the environment, not just generating profit. To get certified a company must complete the B Impact Assessment and submit documentation for evaluation. Once verified, they will be required to sign the B Corp Agreement. B Corp requires a one-time submission fee ($150-$900) and an annual fee ($2000-$50,000) based on the revenue size of your business. They may also require additional fees for site review, brand review, scoping, and verification.
Cradle to Cradle is a globally-used standard by designers, brands and manufacturers for designing and making products that enable a healthy, equitable and sustainable future. Their Product Standard provides a framework to assess the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness. The certification is awarded to products or materials based upon four ascending levels of achievement: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, according to the product’s performance in each category. The product’s lowest category achievement level determines its overall certification level to encourage evolution and continued innovation. Cradle to Cradle requires an annual fee based on company revenue ($1250-$17500) and product certification application fee of $5650.
Fair Trade certification ensures products are made according to rigorous standards, promoting sustainable livelihoods, safe working conditions, environmental protection, and transparent supply chains. They believe in the Theory of Change, a visual representation of how the strategies and activities of an organization impact the lives and livelihoods of others over time. Once eligible, a company can choose an entity (for example, Fair Trade International or Fair Trade USA) and apply to be assessed. Once audited, the company will receive certification. Fair Trade requires an initial application fee and annual fees which will be determined by the product. The company also requires a premium on the certified products which is used for community development funds.
The FSC is a globally-recognized non-profit organization that promotes responsible forest management by setting standards for sustainable forestry and verifying that products come from responsibly managed forests. They adapt their global strategies to evolving challenges and opportunities. FSC awards certifications and licensing to all company sizes with different versions for each of the four industry types: Manufacturers, Retailers, Architects, and Forest Managers. FSC will audit a company’s level of environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic viability according to their standards before designating a certification. FSC requires an annual administration fee based on a sliding scale for a company’s product turnover.
Green Business Benchmark offers a certification based on a scorecard. The value is protected through reliable external verification. All organizations certified through GBB are subject to randomized quarterly audits and verification of claims. Certificates are awarded based on points for four different levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Their services offer a Baseline Assessment and Sustainability Roadmap to help your business achieve its goals. Annual pricing for their services is as follows: Starter ($450), Standard ($1250), Premium ($2500), and Enterprise (Request quote).
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It provides a framework for organizations to design and implement an EMS, from resource usage and waste management to monitoring environmental performance and involving stakeholders in environmental commitments. Organizations can ensure they are minimizing their environmental footprint, complying with relevant legal requirements, and achieving their environmental objectives with an ISO 14001 certification. ISO itself does not administer certifications, just implementing the standards, but third-parties do release them. The 14001 standard is purchasable for $187.
LEED is a globally recognized certification system for buildings and communities that are designed, constructed, and operated in an environmentally sustainable way. It is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and provides a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions. A company can begin certification by choosing a LEED rating system depending on the project type. Once registered, the company will design and build the project to meet LEED criteria. After review, the project will receive a certification level based on a point system: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80+ points). LEED requires a registration fee ($1350-$1700) and a certification fee schedule that is determined by the project’s size and rating system.
Rainforest Alliance Certified is a non-profit organization leading a certification program that focuses on promoting sustainable farming, forestry, and tourism practices to protect biodiversity, improve the livelihoods of farmers and workers, and encourage responsible environmental stewardship. Industries such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism can get certified. There are different sets of standards for farmers versus companies. After applying, an auditor will visit the site of operations to ensure they meet Rainforest Alliance standards before designating a certification. Rainforest Alliance requires a certification body fee ($2000) and additional daily fees for auditing and scope assessment ($4000+).
Why Should My Business Get Certifications?
The benefits of pursuing sustainability certifications go beyond just environmental impact. The prior certifications not only validate a company’s environmental and social efforts, but can also create business advantages such as:
Incorporating sustainability into business practices is essential for long-term success. As consumer demand for ethical and environmentally responsible companies continues to rise, pursuing certifications can help businesses stay ahead of the curve, strengthen their market position, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Embracing these certifications not only reflects a commitment to global betterment but also positions businesses to thrive in an increasingly eco-conscious world.