In today's competitive business landscape, sustainability has evolved from an optional consideration to an essential business strategy. With environmental challenges mounting, adopting green practices has become non-negotiable. While LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification sets a high standard for sustainable building, it's just one piece of the puzzle.
Enter Green Business Benchmark° (GBB) certification —an opportunity to take your sustainability efforts to the next level. Complementing LEED certification, Green Business Benchmark° offers a host of additional benefits that can transform your business. Whether you're an environmental consultant, a sustainability advocate, or a building owner, understanding the broader landscape of sustainability certifications is crucial.
Why pursue both Green Business Benchmark° and LEED certifications? It's simple: together, they form a winning combination that propels your business forward. Green Business Benchmark° certification focuses on operational aspects, driving eco-friendly practices that save costs and boost efficiency. Meanwhile, LEED certification prioritizes the design and construction of green buildings, enhancing environmental performance and occupant well-being.
By embracing this holistic approach, you not only reduce your environmental footprint but also elevate your reputation and competitiveness in the marketplace.
What is LEED Certification? Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is a globally recognized rating system for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings. LEED certification focuses on:
Sustainable Sites: Strategies to minimize impact on ecosystems and water resources.Water Efficiency: Promoting smarter use of water.Energy and Atmosphere: Enhancing energy performance and support for renewable energy.Materials and Resources: Encouraging sustainable materials and waste reduction.Indoor Environmental Quality: Promoting better indoor air quality and access to daylight.Innovation: Recognizing innovative building features and sustainable practices.While LEED certification is comprehensive and highly respected, there’s increasing recognition that businesses can—and should—go beyond just their buildings.
The Case for Green Business Benchmark° Certification Green Business Benchmark° certification extends sustainability principles beyond the physical structure to encompass your entire business operations. Here’s why you should pursue this certification alongside LEED:
1. Comprehensive Sustainability LEED focuses on the building, but Green Business Benchmark° certification covers your entire business operations, including your supply chain, waste management practices, energy use, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. This holistic approach demonstrates a more profound commitment to sustainability.
2. Enhanced Credibility and Trust Consumers and clients are increasingly seeking companies that align with their values in sustainability, encompassing environmental, social, and governance aspects. Green Business Benchmark° certification enhances your credibility and builds trust by demonstrating a genuine commitment to sustainability. This certification proves that your efforts go beyond superficial greenwashing, with randomized audits and rigorous, optional third-party verification available at an additional cost, ensuring your business practices are truly sustainable and responsible.
3. Competitive Advantage In a competitive market, differentiation is critical. Green Business Benchmark° certification sets you apart from competitors who only have LEED certification. Rather than stopping at sustainability for your building, it will demonstrate that you have implemented sustainability into your entire organization’s operations. It positions your business as a sustainability leader, opening up partnerships, investments, and customer loyalty opportunities.
4. Financial Benefits Sustainable practices lead to cost savings and ROI . For example, switching to energy-efficient lighting in offices and warehouses can reduce lighting and cooling costs by up to 75% . Green Business Benchmark° certification helps identify areas to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and optimize resource use, translating into financial savings and environmental benefits. Additionally, a study by Ernst & Young found 2.6x higher sustainability performance scores on shareholder return than lower performers and outperformed their counterparts in stock performance.
5. Employee Engagement and Retention Employees seek workplaces that reflect their values. A commitment to sustainability enhances employee engagement and retention, creating a healthier, more pleasant work environment and contributing to overall well-being.
How to Become Green Business Benchmark° Certified Ready to pursue Green Business Benchmark° certification ? Here are the steps:
1. Sign up Evaluate the features and select the subscription plan that best fits your organization’s needs. Opt for the Standard plan if you're just starting out on your certification journey. For advanced features and initiatives to elevate your sustainability program, go with the Premium plan. The Enterprise plan is your best value if you need reporting, analytics, and personalized onboarding and support.
2. Conduct a baseline assessment Green Business Benchmark’s baseline assessment feature helps you reflect on where your organization currently stands with sustainability. It sets a clear baseline and highlights the initiatives you should prioritize. Think of your baseline score as the starting point that will guide the rest of your sustainability efforts.
3. Prioritize initiatives Choose from hundreds of curated initiatives to create a customized plan that drives real results. The initiatives are built using the latest science, existing standards and frameworks, and industry regulations to ensure they drive real, meaningful impact.
The Green Business Benchmark° initiatives align with global frameworks, including GRI, UN SDGs, ISO14001, GHG Protocol, and SASB, to help you meet specific ESG goals and compliance and work toward other certifications.
4. Track progress With Green Business Benchmark’s user-friendly software, you can easily track and measure your progress towards sustainability goals. The software allows for real-time data collection and analysis, helping you make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement. Track initiatives as in progress, postponed, and the exact date they're completed with Green Business Benchmark's advanced program management capabilities . You'll receive real-time scoring as initiatives are completed, which reflects your standing in each category, updates your certification, and shows precisely how far you need to go to reach the next certification level. This makes it easy to keep your efforts on track and see the tangible impact of your hard work.
Green Business Benchmark° is continuously updated with new initiatives and best practices, providing you with the necessary information to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable business.
5. Maintain and Improve Certification is more than a one-time achievement; it's an ongoing commitment to excellence. Regularly reviewing and updating your sustainability practices ensures continuous improvement and helps you stay on track for periodic recertification. This proactive approach enhances your business's sustainability credentials and positions you as a leader in the industry committed to making a positive impact.
Conclusion Pursuing Green Business Benchmark° and LEED Certifications can benefit businesses in multiple ways. Aside from the obvious environmental and social benefits, these certifications enhance brand reputation, foster valuable partnerships, drive cost savings, boost employee engagement and retention, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. As more consumers become environmentally conscious and demand sustainable practices from businesses, obtaining these certifications can give your company a competitive edge and ensure long-term success.
Ready to take the next step? Integrate sustainable practices across your entire business to make a meaningful impact on the environment and position your company for success in an eco-conscious market. Start your journey towards Green Business Benchmark° certification today and join forward-thinking organizations dedicated to creating a sustainable future.
To learn more about the benefits and the importance of certification, check out our article: The Case for Certification .
Contact us to learn more about how Green Business Benchmark° certification can benefit your organization and help achieve your sustainability goals.
