An Introduction to the GHG Protocol

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Greenhouse Gases are gases that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. Those in Earths atmosphere are mostly water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Whilst necessary, as without them the Earths temperature would be around -18°C, humans have caused an increase of 40% in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, which in turn is leading to the warming of the planet and other associated issues such as ocean acidification, rising sea levels and species loss. It is therefore vital that we stay aware of our impact on the planet, and do our best to manage greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the GHG Protocol?

The GHG Protocol is the most widely used accounting tool to manage, understand and quantify greenhouse gas emissions. Used by government and business leaders, the GHG Protocol is a decade-long partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). It serves as the foundation for almost every greenhouse gas standard in the world, as well as offering an internationally accepted tool for businesses to compete in a global marketplace.

Why are we getting involved?

We are now working towards achieving the GHG Protocol Mark, which will allow us to have the backing of the WRI and the WBCSD on the certifications we issue. Our tool will adhere to their standards, enabled by our BETA customers who have enabled us to pay for the audit. This will enable us to help companies achieve further certification, beyond the ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 20121, BS 8555 and B Corp certifications we already offer.

What the GHG Protocol means for us

Being a part of the GHG protocol means a lot to us. It goes beyond allowing companies to measure, manage and report their greenhouse gases, as it gives our customers a competitive edge on the marketplace. In 2016, at least 92% of Fortune 500 companies responding to the Carbon Disclosure Project used the GHG Protocol, only strengthening its reputation amongst market leaders. Incorporating this into our system facilitates competition with these corporations, and will allow businesses with our certification to strengthen their position.

The GHG Protocol will allow us to strengthen our carbon footprint certification, and put your business in a better position as a B-Corp. If you have any questions about the GHG Protocol or your organisations carbon emissions, get in touch with us via our contact page.

What is a ‘B Corporation’, and what are the benefits?

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‘B Corporations’, also known as B Corps, are a group of companies around the world aiming to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. To put it simply, a “B Corp is to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk”. There are currently more than 1,600 certified B Corps from 42 countries around the world, representing 120 industries across the board.

The B Corp certification has looked to redefine what success means in the world of business. Companies should strive to be the best for the world, not necessarily the best in the world. Given their collective voice, and that large companies such as Patagonia and Oaklandish form a part of this group, B Corps have the power to encourage change for good. Besides the power these companies from being part of a group, what are the benefits of being a B Corp?

The ethics of being a B Corp

Ethically, there are many reasons to become a B Corp. You are clearly part of a movement for good, which can encourage more and more corporations worldwide to join the group. Moreover, being a B Corp gives you proof and credibility. It’s all well and good that your produce may be organic and carbon neutral, but consumers require proof, and being a B Corp can give you that. Being a B Corp will ensure you meet your targets and intentions, as the ethos will become engrained in the DNA of your company, which will look further and further to do good.

Business opportunities

Whilst the ethical factor is hugely important, and the central focus of being a B Corp, there are plenty of business benefits to reap from the group. Investors seek companies that do good, not only companies that show revenue growth in the short term. They understand that being certified as a B Corp will act as insurance for the longevity of your business, and attract more investment to your business. The B Corp standards ensure that the companies and their investors seek higher valuations, achieve greater impact and build a company that will last with integrity. Being a B Corp will also generate more press, giving your business greater reach across media platforms worldwide.

More directly, being a B Corp will also help your business attract better talent. Roughly half of the global workforce are millennials, who seek work with a larger purpose. Being a B Corp will certify your intentions and attract more employees that are better qualified, giving your business the quality workforce it needs. Moreover, being part of the B Corp group gives you unparalleled access to other member businesses, meaning better business can be formed with greater ease.

Ultimately, being a B Corp allows you to benchmark your performance and set goals for further improvement in the future. This will allow your company to continuously improve and not just do it once or twice, having a true impact on the world. If you are interested in benchmarking your business, contact us today to find out more.

Why should businesses use an international certification mark?

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International environmental certification is a form of environmental regulation in which a company can voluntarily comply to a set of practices and policies set by the awarding bodies. These certifications often carry a logo which make the holders easy to identify for a variety of parties. These certifications exist to provide an incentive for businesses to adhere to a set of policies, objectives and targets to help correct the harmful impacts to the environment that businesses can often have. Below, we have outlined many of the reasons why businesses choose to implement such a scheme.
Competitive Advantage…
The implementation of an environmental certification programme can often lead to a competitive advantage for a firm. In a crowded marketplace, especially if that marketplace is often associated with practices that are not ethical, a certification to demonstrate commitment to green practices can be the competitive advantage required to get ahead. If there is nothing else to separate competitors, certification of green practices can give a firm an edge, as well as being a key differentiator for many consumers, irrespective of other factors. Certification can also be used to achieve preferred supplier status as it is often a requirement for some authorities or for certain supply chains hop over to this site.
…Higher Profits
Through the competitive advantage discussed above, companies often demonstrate increased profits with international certifications. Environmental practices can lower costs, but can also drive sales, and as a combination can lead to higher profitability. An example of the benefits for firms of certification is below:
From 1990 to 2000, $100,000 invested in S&P500 would have yielded $423,795. The same $100,000 invested in 212 ISO 9000 certified companies the yield would been $814,335 (Tamini, R. 2003 – Payoff to ISO 9000 Registration).
Although not an environmental certification, this demonstrates the increased value of companies that have received certifications, their growth and their attractiveness to investors.
Enhanced Brand
Businesses with certification that demonstrates a commitment to values that are supportive of sustainability only helps to enhance a brand’s reputation. Longevity of businesses can often rest on their reputation and a strong brand can help to overcome period of economic uncertainty. Potential consumers are far likely to develop a loyalty to a brand that acts with the community’s interest in mind, not just their shareholder’s ambitions.
Legal Compliance
An important benefit of receiving international certification is the legal compliance derived from implementing the requirements. Certification will provide a framework for identifying, monitoring and complying with various environmental requirements that apply to your processes. These processes make implementation far easier and can increase the probability of your policies becoming successful ingrained in your business culture.
Increased Employee Engagement
Potential employees have consistently demonstrated an interest in companies that are aligned with their opinions on the environment. As well as a differentiator for consumers, in the competition for top talent certifications that prove a commitment to the environment can make a business stand out. Not only does this improve recruitment possibilities, but employees that feel aligned with their place of work leads to decreased staff turnover and increased productivity.