B Lab Europe
Create Systems Change

Theory of change

Imagine a world where all stakeholders — not just shareholders — are valued and prioritized. 

At B Lab, we believe this world is possible. From our beginnings in 2006, we have worked to harness the power of business as a force for good. Now, the B Corp movement has the credibility to lead like never before. Across societies and sectors, there is historic momentum for systems change. 

Collective action

The system is broken

The current economic system, driven by business as one of its key actors, is failing to meet its potential and promise to create positive impact. In fact, it creates significant negative impacts for people, communities, and the planet.

  • The richest 26 people own as much wealth as 3.8 billion people.

  • The UN declared that we have 12 years to prevent irreversible climate impacts.

  • 30 million people are enslaved in forced labor.

  • More than 80% of the world’s original forests are gone.

  • Every year 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted as some 2 billion people suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

Our global strategy

By working with other movements, coalitions, policymakers, activists, and organizations, and by catalyzing our stakeholders — Certified B Corporations, benefit corporations, and businesses adopting B Lab’s standards — we can achieve our vision. And our five global strategies will get us there:

1

Drive the adoption of our standards to manage the impact of business.

2

Certify and engage businesses to improve their impact.

3

Articulate and amplify stories of business as an equitable force for good.

4

Catalyze policy change to enable business as a force for good.

5

Develop a network of local, regional, and global communities for change.

Changing the system

Systemic change is neither simple nor easy.  It requires leadership, and it also requires a robust, credible alternative to the existing system.  It is our job to deliver these essential ingredients and to make the case for the change that we need – consistently and convincingly.

 

 

European flags blowing in the wind

Changing Policy

Stakeholder governance ensures that the actions of a company must benefit all stakeholders — customers, employees, suppliers, communities, and investors. By advocating for "benefit corporation" corporate structures to be recognized across nations to forming the Interdependence Coalition, advocating for policy changes is key to transforming the way business operates.

People from B Corps coming together for positive change

Collective Action

By prioritizing collaboration instead of competition, businesses can create communities for change to tackle societal and environmental issues and transform industries.

3D models of the sustainable development goals

Tackling the SDGs

United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have created a framework and agenda that businesses, communities, and policymakers can all work towards achieving.

a journalist at a B Lab event holding a microphone

Finding your role

Whether you work in academics, with the community, in business or policy, there are several ways you can get involved with the B Corp Movement.

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