Issue No. 13: B-Corps Receive A-List Investment

Written By PHC Commissioner

Hey Outsiders! You all are lucky this one ended up in your inbox. We had some serious internal discussions as to whether or not we should do Issue No. 13 or just skip it outright because well, you know it’s unlucky. Luck won out and here it is!

In this week’s edition:

  • B-Corporations get a BIG BOOST!

  • The $$$ behind sustainability 🤑

  • And more!

— Scott Crowder

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🌅 B-Corps 🏕️

B Corp movement - a growing network of companies committed to using business as a force for good just got a big boost from the Co-Founder of LinkedIn but first, let’s take a look at the B-Corp movement.

🤝 The movement began in 2006 when a group of entrepreneurs came together to create a new type of company that would prioritize social and environmental impact alongside profits. They envisioned a certification system that would evaluate companies based on their overall impact on society, rather than just their financial performance.

💡 In 2007, the first B Corp certification was awarded to Seventh Generation, a small food company. Over the next few years, more companies began seeking certification, and in 2010, the B Corp movement officially launched as a global network of businesses.

🚀 Since then, the movement has grown rapidly. Today, there are over 4,000 certified B Corps across more than 70 countries, representing a wide range of industries and sectors.

💼 B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions not only on shareholders, but also on stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, customers, and the environment. This commitment to a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit sets them apart from traditional companies and has helped to inspire a growing movement of businesses seeking to create positive social and environmental change.

📈 In recent years, the B Corp movement has gained momentum as consumers, investors, and employees increasingly seek out companies that prioritize social and environmental responsibility. B Corps are seen as leaders in this space, demonstrating that business can be a force for good and inspiring others to follow suit.

💰 Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, has donated $1 million to help scale the B Corp movement. The donation will be used to create a new program called the B Economy Impact Fund, which will provide funding to B Corps that are working to create positive social and environmental impact.

👊 The B Economy Impact Fund will help to further accelerate this growth by providing funding to B Corps that are working to create positive change. The fund will be managed by the nonprofit B Lab, which oversees the B Corp certification process.

💡 The goal of the fund is to help B Corps scale their impact and create long-term, sustainable change. By providing funding to companies that are committed to using business as a force for good, the fund will help to create a more equitable and sustainable economy.

👏🏽 Mr. Hoffman, B-Corps and the B Economy Impact Fund! 🥂🌍

👍 or 👎 - Send us an email and let us know if you think Outsider Insider should join the B-Corp movement.

💰 Paying (one way or another) to be sustainable 🌍🌿

The cost of sustainability and why it's becoming a top priority for companies.

📰 According to a new report, companies are shelling out up to $500,000 to boost their sustainability ratings. Businesses are increasingly investing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives to attract customers, retain employees, and improve efficiency. Plus, with ESG ratings becoming an increasingly important factor in investment decisions, companies that fail to prioritize sustainability could be left behind.

🌍 Of course, not everyone is happy about the trend. Some critics argue that ESG ratings can be subjective and that companies may be more focused on improving their scores than actually making a difference. Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific, has taken legal action against several countries, including the United States, China, and India, as well as fossil fuel companies like BP and Chevron.

According to Vanuatu's legal team, the country is experiencing rising sea levels, more frequent and severe cyclones, and other climate-related disasters that are putting its people and way of life at risk. They argue that the countries and companies being sued have a responsibility to reduce their emissions and take other actions to address the global climate crisis. 🌍🌡️ The United Nations adopts a landmark resolution on climate justice to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable and marginalized communities.

📢 Montana's Supreme Court ruled that young people can challenge the government's inaction on climate change in court, potentially setting a precedent for other states and countries to follow. 💡 The lawsuit was filed by a group of young Montanans who argued that the state has a legal obligation to protect natural resources for future generations.

📈 While the trend toward sustainability has its critics, it's clear that it's here to stay. Companies and governments will need to follow through on their commitments to improve the optics of their investments and ensure the real impact is achieved. We believe that Vanuatu's case is just the tip of the iceberg and that many more countries and companies will face checks and balances in sustainability spending.

Business, Industry & Economy:

SPONSORED BY OUTDOOR RECREATION ROUNDTABLE

🎉 Attention Outsiders! If you don’t know the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable it’s time you do. Allow us to introduce you to ORR (that’s what their friends call them). ORR is a coalition of America's leading outdoor recreation trade associations that aims to promote and advocate for outdoor recreation across the country.

🏞️ The organization is dedicated to advancing policies and initiatives that support outdoor recreation, as well as promoting the economic benefits of the industry and its positive impact on communities and public health.

💼 The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable brings together a diverse range of stakeholders in the outdoor recreation industry, including businesses, trade associations, and recreation groups, to work collaboratively on issues related to outdoor recreation.

🤝 Through advocacy and education programs, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable aims to ensure that outdoor recreation remains a vibrant and sustainable part of American life, now and in the future.

🪑So if you're passionate about the great outdoors and want to make a difference in the world of outdoor recreation, pull a chair up to the table! To learn more about ORR visit - https://recreationroundtable.org

Health, Wellness, & Fitness:

  • 🚫🍺 According to a new study, Women are giving up alcohol in favor of exercise, motivated by the significant health benefits, including improved sleep, weight loss, and reduced inflammation.

  • 🚶‍♂️🏃‍♀️ "Volksmarching," a form of German fitness walking that has been around for over a century, is gaining popularity in the US due to its accessibility and health benefits. We hear it might end with cake or beer 🤷‍♂️

  • 🏋️‍♀️🎉 With the pandemic driving innovation in the fitness industry, the future of fitness is looking brighter than ever, with personalized virtual training, connected home gym equipment, and immersive wellness experiences all on the horizon. Here are 5 of the World’s Best Fitness Trainers take on the future of Fitness.

  • 🏋️‍♀️💪 A new fitness test, called the Functional Fitness Assessment, is gaining popularity among trainers and gyms as a way to measure overall fitness and track progress.

  • 🌳🏘️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 According to a new report from The Wildlife Trusts, living in areas with more green spaces and wildlife can improve mental and physical health, leading to longer and happier lives.

Sustainability, Conservation & Environment:

  • 🏞️ Wisconsin's conservation funding has decreased despite the rising participation in outdoor activities, according to a new report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

  • 🌨️ A photo series showcases the "wildest" and most impressive photos of snowfall across the United States.

  • 🌍 Sustainability managers can be the driving force behind their company's environmental progress, not just the messengers, by taking a holistic approach to sustainability that goes beyond just compliance and includes innovation and collaboration with suppliers and customers.

  • 🌱💻 Green intelligence: How AI and data can be used to create more sustainable business practices.

  • 📢 Could a 4-day work week be the solution for reducing emissions? According to a recent study, if everyone in the UK had a 4-day work week, the country would be able to reduce emissions by up to 127 million tonnes by 2025. This is equivalent to taking 27 million cars off the road.

  • 🔍 The words we use in the climate debate matter more than we might think, as they can influence people's beliefs and actions. Choosing the right language, such as using positive framing, can accelerate climate actions and encourage people to adopt more sustainable behaviors.

  • 🌍♻️ A new study by NielsenIQ and McKinsey found that companies that invest in sustainable packaging design and recycling initiatives can see a boost in sales, reduced costs, and improved return on investment (ROI), indicating that sustainability is not only good for the planet but also for business.

  • 🌾 Regenerative agriculture may offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional farming practices by focusing on soil health and biodiversity, according to experts in the field.

  • 🐻 Montana State University's Western Transportation Institute has released a series of reports highlighting the importance of wildlife crossing structures in mitigating animal-vehicle collisions and improving wildlife connectivity, which could lead to a more sustainable environment for both wildlife and humans alike.

  • 🐾 The wolverine, a rare and elusive animal, has been spotted in Oregon's mountains, raising hopes for its return to the state. 💚 The sighting has sparked discussion on the importance of conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species and their habitats.

  • Should sustainability act more like technology and adopt “the move fast and break things mentality?” Alexandra Bank a partner at EY makes a case that the sustainability movement needs to move fast and take more risks in order to address urgent environmental challenges.

  • 🌳🌧️ A new report finds that nature-based solutions like planting trees and creating rain gardens can be more cost-effective in mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects than traditional infrastructure, such as sea walls and levees.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

  • Skier and storyteller Connor Ryan discusses the ski industry's relationship with Indigenous people, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the land's Indigenous history and involving Indigenous communities in ski resort decisions. 🏂🏔️🌱🌍

  • 👕👚REI has introduced new inclusive sizing standards for its 1,300 brands, with the aim to ensure that all individuals can comfortably enjoy outdoor activities, regardless of their body size.

Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality:

Government, Grants & Policy:

Products, Gear & Gadgets:

  • 🏂🎿 Before you stick those sticks in the closet it might be time to think about a new pair for next season already. 8 signs you might need a new pair, including worn-out edges and a lack of pop, because nobody wants a wipeout on the mountain.

  • 🏂 Vail Resorts introduces new membership program "Chair 13" for skiing and snowboarding gear with unlimited annual access and priority access to new equipment.

  • Outdoor apparel companies are adopting new technologies to replace PFAS chemicals in water-repellent coatings, as research has shown the environmental and health risks they pose. 🔬👕

  • 🔬 Scientists have transformed superglue into a sustainable and affordable substitute for plastics in items such as shoes and car parts by making it malleable when mixed with starch and water, offering a solution for the growing plastic waste crisis.

  • 🚲 Legendary mountain biker Gary Fisher is launching a new e-bike brand, Morelle, which will focus on "lightweight electric urban bikes" that "make life more fun" and eco-friendly.

  • 🧦 ⭐️ Gold Star for Gold Toe - the iconic sock company has partnered with TerraCycle to launch a free sock recycling program, allowing customers to send in old and unwanted socks to be repurposed into useful materials, as part of their sustainable and environmentally friendly initiatives.

Quote of the Week:

“The world is your gym”
— Unknown

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PHC Commissioner
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Issue No. 12: Resale & Recommerce Reinventing Retail 👕