BCorp Names SunCommon Among “Best for the World”
Today, 92 companies worldwide were recognized for creating the most positive overall social and environmental impact by the nonprofit B Lab with the release of the third annual B Corp Best for the World list. The B Corp Best for the World list honors businesses that earned an overall score in the top 10% of all Certified B Corporations on the B Impact Assessment, a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of a company’s impact on its workers, community, and the environment. Honorees were recognized among micro, small, and mid-sized businesses.
Vermont-based SunCommon earned recognition as one of the world’s twenty-two small businesses “Best for Environmental Impact.” SunCommon is Vermont’s largest residential solar business. “Our very purpose is positive environmental impact, so it’s great to be recognized for trying to do our bit,” said SunCommon Co-President Duane Peterson responding to this announcement.
SunCommon believes that everyone has the right to a clean environment and safer world. Our mission is to knock down the barriers which have made renewable energy inaccessible. By making it easy and affordable to go solar, now everyday Vermonters can be part of the climate change solution by repowering our state with clean, safe, renewable energy.
In addition to helping over 700 Vermont homeowners go solar, SunCommon’s commitment to positive environmental impact runs throughout its business process. Its headquarters are in The Energy Mill, Vermont’s largest “net zero” office building that makes more energy than it uses. SunCommon’s field employees operate a fleet of 18 high mileage vehicles – hybrid Toyota Prii and electric Chevrolet Volts, and office-bound workers carpool. On-site vegetable garden, composting and rigorous recycling round out the employee-driven environmental initiatives.
SunCommon was founded as one of Vermont’s pioneering Benefit Corporations, and earned its BCorp Certification as soon as it was eligible. BCorp Certification is based on a rigorous assessment of sustainable business practices. With almost 1,000 Certified BCorps globally, this certification of responsible business is joining existing certifications with standardized metrics like Organic for food, Fair Trade for commodities and LEED for buildings.
The assessment process not only recognizes achievement but encourages betterment by identifying ways to improve yet. This BCorp program is a great tool for any venture seeking to use the power of business as a force for social and environmental change.
At the urging of SunCommon and Vermont’s other Certified BCorp businesses, Burlington was chosen to host the 2014 BCorp Champions Retreat this October 7-9 at which 400 sustainable ventures from around the globe are expected to convene around our shared vision of business as a force for positive social and environmental change.
