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Studies have found that products marked as sustainable grow 2.7 times faster than those that are not sustainable. Corporate responsibility boosts sales by 20%, with sustainability playing a key role. This will drive higher ROI and enhance customer loyalty for your business.
In today’s world, sustainability is a core component of businesses as it will help you reduce your carbon footprint, conserve natural resources, build a positive reputation, boost competitiveness, and attract investors.
One of the best ways of proving your sustainable practices is with the help of sustainability certifications.
7 Types of Sustainability Certifications for Businesses
Some of the most popular sustainability certifications for businesses that you should consider are:
1, Green Business Certification Inc.
GBCI or Green Business Certification Inc. is a world-renowned organization that is dedicated to awarding excellence to green businesses that are also that industry’s top performers.
Some of the certifications for sustainability that they award are:
- Parksmart: Sustainable parking structure design
- LEED: The gold standard for green building ratings
- TRUE: Zero waste certification
- SITES: Sustainable landscape development
- PEER: Sustainable power systems
- EDGE: Enhancing resource efficiency in buildings
- WELL: Improving the effects of buildings on human health
Thus, if you specialize in renovation, landscaping, building maintenance, construction, land development, or interior fit-outs, you should apply for these sustainability certifications.
2, ISO 14001
This is most appropriate for your company if you are going to add sustainability initiatives into all facets of your business operation. ISO 14001 is a global standard for environmental management systems (EMS).
What must be remembered here is that it is not a sustainability certification but an instrument that will provide you with a template for implementing an EMS and then embedding and maintaining sustainability programs.
This is an integrated framework that will assist your company in attaining sustainability as well as business growth. It is applicable to all sizes and in all industries of companies.
3, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
This sustainability certification is awarded to businesses that follow responsible forestry practices. The main objective of this certification is to preserve biodiversity, prevent deforestation, and protect human rights.
Some of the certifications for sustainability offered by this council are:
- FSC Chain of Custody Certification: If you are one of those manufacturers who practices sustainable sourcing and uses forest-based materials.
- FSC Project Certification: If you are a builder, artist, architect, or any other type of project developer, and you are ready to ensure that all your forest-based materials meet FSC standards.
- FSC Promotional License: If your business is not FSC licensed but you sell or use FSC-certified labeled or finished goods.
Thus, if you are a business that wants to manufacture, sell, or design products that are FSC-certified then this certification is for you.
4, Organic Certification
These requirements are established by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to guarantee that all products having obtained this certification are made free from any form of synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, in addition to being GMO-free.
Therefore, if your company is related to farms or food processing, then this is your certification.
With this sustainability certification, you will be able to appeal to environmentally friendly consumers, be able to explain your premium prices, and increase your sales.
5, Fair Trade Certification
To get this sustainability certification, your products will have to comply with rigorous trade standards. The primary objectives of this certification are to create a safe working space, protect the environment, strengthen the supply chains, and create sustainable livelihoods.
Thus, this certification is given at the production level. This means that if you are a manufacturing company, retail business, or a brand looking to sell Fair Trade Certified products, then you cannot apply for certification. Instead, you will need to apply for licensing.
6, B-Corp
B-Lab issues this sustainability certification for businesses to help organizations like yours balance purpose with profit by meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, sustainability, social change, and charitability.
Thus, to get this certificate, you will need to positively impact your employees, the environment, and the communities.
7, Green Seal
To get this certification, the 4 key sustainability criteria that you will have to meet are:
- Minimize waste
- Protect human health
- Preserve the climate
- Ensure clean water
You can get this certification if your business deals in products ranging from paints, cleaning products, construction materials, printing and writing paper, and healthy schools/colleges/hotels.
Benefits of Sustainability Certification
To become eligible for sustainability certification, you will need to adhere to all the sustainable standards laid down by the respective certifying organizations.
Attract Investors
Nowadays, investors focus on sustainable businesses that align with their values and offer long-term value. Sustainability certification also helps investors assess risks and opportunities more easily. Thus, as a sustainable business, you gain better access to investors and funding, ensuring success.
Meet Stakeholders’ Demand
Whether it is your customers, community, employees, shareholders, or other stakeholders, there is a high possibility that you are expected to play a role in decarbonizing the global economy.
This means that having a sustainability certification will allow you to meet these demands, thereby winning their loyalty and increasing your sales and productivity.
Adhere to Sustainability Regulations
Several countries tend to have sustainability targets and regulations related to carbon emissions and waste diversion that you will have to adhere to. Sustainability certifications will ensure this adherence, thus saving you from fines and penalties related to non-compliance.
Lower Operating Costs
Investing in sustainable systems and workflows enhances efficiency, cutting operating costs through waste reduction, optimized resource and energy use, increased reliance on renewables, and lower water consumption. This also lowers utility bills.
Positive Brand Reputation
With a sustainability certification, you will be known as a green business, thereby establishing your reputation as a socially responsible organization. This will motivate and retain old employees and attract new talents with a similar mindset.
You will also be able to win your customers’ loyalty, thereby increasing your revenue and profits.
Green business certification or certifications for sustainability is a recognition from a reputed third-party source that your business meets sustainable and eco-friendly standards of operating.
While some sustainability certifications apply to your entire operations, others only to your products and packaging, backend operations, and workplace, overall, these initiatives will help you attract investors and ensure your business’s continued success.
With Natnavi, you will be connected to sustainable enterprises and individuals, helping you make choices and connections that support the planet while boosting the economy. Contact us now to learn more.
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