5 Lakes Energy, Michigan’s premier consulting firm dedicated to advancing policies and programs that promote clean energy, sustainability and the environment, is proud to announce it is a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), part of a global movement dedicated to using business as a “force for good.”
5 Lakes is now expanding its services to help other businesses become B Corp certified.
“B Corp Certification has been described as being to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or LEED certification is to construction,” said Liesl Clark, 5 Lakes Energy co-founder and partner. “The process demands that you evaluate your company’s social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency as they relate to your employee practices, community and customers.
“Not only did the process help us identify how we can become a stronger organization, it has given us insight on how to help other businesses join the ranks of Certified B Corporations, too,” Clark added.
Individually, B Corporations meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability, and aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems. Collectively, B Corps lead a growing global movement of people using business as a force for good and are committed to:
- Being the change they seek in the world;
- Conducting business as if people and place matter;
- Aspire to do no harm, and benefit all through product, place and profit.
- Acting with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thusresponsible for each other and future generations
There are over 2,000 B Corporations around the world, including 14 in Michigan. Among them are several in West Michigan including Cascade Engineering, the Essence Restaurant Group, and the 616 Lofts in Grand Rapids; Buy the Change gifts in Monroe; and the Higher Grounds Trading Company in Traverse City.
With its certification in place, 5 Lakes is committed to helping other businesses become part of the B Corporation movement.
For more information about Certified B Corporations visit www.bcorporation.net or contact Liesl Clark at lclark@5lakesenergytest.flywheelsites.com.
