B Lab’s standards set the benchmark for social, environmental, and governance practices, aiming to create a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative global economy. In this episode of Beyond the B, hosts Emmy and Ryan break down and translate B Lab's recently published Second Consultation Summary Report to make it easier for listeners to understand what’s changed, what’s ahead, and what it all means for the final standards being released next year.
With input from over 1,000 contributors and more than 16,000 pieces of feedback, the new standards address key areas such as climate action, human rights, and stakeholder governance. Emmy and Ryan take a closer look at significant proposals, like more accessible carbon footprint criteria, the creation of a new "fair work" topic, how B Lab plans to differentiate performance, the role of Impact Business Models, and more.
Tune in to discover how B Lab is shaping the future of ethical business and gain valuable insights on how these changes might impact the companies you support or work for—empowering you to make a meaningful difference in today’s economy.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Reflections on the interactive format of the Second Consultation Summary Report.
- Community participation, transparency, and more: what stood out to us.
- Stakeholder feedback on the impactfulness, clarity, and attainability of the new standards.
- B Corp feedback on the ambition, clarity, and attainability of the Foundation Requirements.
- An overview of the updated eligibility requirements for B Corp Certification.
- Changes to the performance requirements, including the new Impact Topic, Fair Work.
- Updates to Purpose and Stakeholder Governance, including marketing policy requirements.
- Reasons that minimal changes are required for Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI).
- Heightened due diligence in conflict-affected situations in the Human Rights Impact Topic.
- Insight into B Lab’s simpler, clearer, and more flexible Climate Action requirements.
- Why Climate Action is viewed by B Corps as one of the least attainable Impact Topics.
- How B Corps are encouraged to promote a “just transition” and advance climate justice.
- Ways that Environmental Stewardship and Circularity requirements are being reformed.
- Responsible lobbying and taxation updates in Government Affairs and Collective Action.
- Our thoughts on why Complementary Impact Topics will no longer be a standalone section.
- How the new performance recognition proposal is being received by stakeholders.
- Benefits that companies with Impact Business Models (IBMs) will be eligible for.
- Next steps: how B Lab will incorporate feedback, simplify its language, and more!
Quotations:
“Attainability has been a real concern in the [B Corp] community. We’re looking to strike a balance between ambitious and attainable.” — Emmy Allison [0:06:36]
“Emmy and I are deep [B Corp nerds], and we still have a hard time figuring this out. So, if you’re confused, welcome to the club!” — @HoneymanConsult [0:19:46]
“There are so many of us that live on this planet that are navigating our world through the internet. We have to get more intentional about data sharing and privacy.” — Emmy Allison [0:27:32]
“People are finding that [the Climate Action performance requirements] might not be relevant or appropriate, but it is relevant that we think about how our companies can be net zero, even in a remote-first setting.” — Emmy Allison [0:38:12]
“Overall, I hand it to B Lab for – creating these new standards. I’m very curious where they will land in Q1 of next year.” — @HoneymanConsult [0:54:24]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
- B Lab Global: https://www.bcorporation.net/
- B Lab Second Consultation Summary Report: https://blab.infogram.com/1t9z49o72xk34ls89z9z84w390cqpy1940x
- Explore the Latest Draft Standards for B Corp Certification: https://standards.bcorporation.net/
- E8: Latest Developments on the New B Corp Standards w/ Clay Brown: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/latest-update-on-the-new-b-corp-standards-clay-brown-b-lab
- E9: How to Meet the New Climate Action Requirements w/ David Jaber: https://go.lifteconomy.com/blog/how-to-meet-b-labs-new-climate-action-requirements-david-jaber
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Calculation Tools and Guidance: https://ghgprotocol.org/calculation-tools-and-guidance
- Ryan Honeyman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhhoneyman/
- Ryan Honeyman on X: https://x.com/honeymanconsult
- Emmy Allison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnallison/
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Thank you to Corey Lien and Nozomii Torii for being our monthly contributors at Beyond the B!
