News | Events

Australian B Corps on Top of the World

22 April 2015 at 10:48 am
Lina Caneva

Ten Australian companies have been listed as being ‘Best for the World’ based on their contributions to the community, their workers and the environment.

SHARE

Lina Caneva | 22 April 2015 at 10:48 am

0 Comments

Ten Australian companies have been listed as being ‘Best for the World’ based on their contributions to the community, their workers and the environment.

The Best for the World list honours the top 10 per cent of all certified B Corporations (B Corps), based on an assessment of the company's impact on the planet.

B Corporation certification is awarded to businesses who meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency by Not for Profit organisation B Lab, who describe the label as being to sustainable business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee.

Three Sista’s (Manunda, Queensland) and Australian Ethical Investment (Sydney) achieved the highest honour, named as Best for the World – Overall, having the highest impact amongst the 1,247 B Corps across the globe.

“On a day-to-day basis we keep doing what we are doing, but on the world stage we are leading the way. Our business model is unique and it’s fantastic to be recognised in this way. We are getting runs on the board and changing people’s lives for the better in the process, which is as humbling as it is exciting,” Three Sista’s Director Janet Guthrie said.

Australian Ethical Investment’s Managing Director Phillip Vernon said the firm was proud to be acknowledged as a 2015 Best for the World Honouree.

“We see the award as recognition of our contribution to redefining the nature of business – that concern for society and the environment are equally as important as financial returns,” he said.

In addition to these two overall winners, nine other Australian and New Zealand organisations were recognised as category leaders. Alicia Darvall, Executive Director of B Lab Australia & New Zealand, said her organisation was thrilled to see 11 local B Corps named amongst the best shared value companies in the world.

“The Best for the World list highlights the best of an already exceptional field. These companies are redefining success in business by holding themselves to a higher level of accountability and transparency for governance, environmental, community and worker impact,” she said.

“Today's champions are competing not only to be best in the world, but best for the world. We hope it inspires many more companies to take the first step to becoming B Corp certified and manage their impact with as much rigor as their profit.”

There are now 57 certified B Corporations in Australian and New Zealand, and more than 500 companies are currently working through the assessment process.

Globally, more than 16,000 businesses have undertaken B Impact Assessment.

Full list of Australian honorees:

Best for the World – Overall

Three Sista’s (Manunda, QLD) contributes to the long term wellbeing of socially disadvantaged and Indigenous people living in the homelessness stream in the Cairns and Cape York regions. They work to improve health and living standards, accommodation and employment opportunities.

Australian Ethical Investment (Sydney) is a financial services company which seeks out investments that will create positive, sustainable change for society and the environment. The company was also recognised as a leader in the ‘Best for the Workers’ category.

Best for the community

Best for the Environment

Best for the Workers