We have created this library of regenerative resources for members of the Regenerative Recovery Coalition and the greater community to utilize as we work together to build Colorado forward. Fill out the form below to share a relevant article!
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Measure What Matters
The first step in becoming a better business is to measure what matters. We believe businesses should not only focus on generating returns but also on creating value for its customers, employees, community and the environment. Start by taking B Lab’s free impact assessment to see where you stand and how you can improve. Below, you will find additional resources to guide you through the process.
B Lab Resources
If you are an aspiring B Corp, we recommend you connect with the non-profit B Local Colorado, the B Certified B Corp network in Colorado. You can also gain tools for increasing your impact in the areas of governance, workers, environment and community while simultaneously improving your score on the BIA through this webinar.
And remember: the resources provided by B Lab, the organization behind B Corp, are useful even if you don’t intend to go for the certification!
Pet Sustainability Coalition
The Pet Sustainability Coalition is dedicated to creating a more sustainable pet industry. They offer a variety of resources that can be useful for other industries as well.
Supply Chain
By properly managing your supply chain, your business will have a big impact. The objective of supply chain sustainability is to create, protect and grow long-term environmental, social and economic value for all stakeholders involved in bringing products and services to market. Ensure that your supply chain is in line with your values. Below you will find guides and example questionnaires to better manage and improve your supply chain.
Examples
Supplier sustainability survey example.
Supplier sustainability survey (small business) example.
Guides
Learn about evaluating supplier’s and distributor’s social and environmental practices here.
Learn how businesses can enhance their resilience to the impacts of climate change on their supply chains while improving their supply chain management here.
A supplier code of conduct can reduce brand risk for the company and can be leveraged to improve transparency and marketing. It also can allow suppliers to adhere to more uniform standards that might also be asked of other customers, easing the cost burden of compliance. Check out B Lab’s guide to creating a supplier code of conduct.
Use this helpful B Lab guide to help you evaluate your suppliers and distributers social and environmental practices.
The Sectoral Decarbonization Approach helps companies set emissions reduction targets based on the best science currently available. It is a method for setting corporate emission reduction targets in line with climate science.
Impactful Banking Services
Make an impact at every step of your company’s operations. From vendor selection and hiring procedures to philanthropy and energy resources, where you invest your money matters. Banking with values-aligned banks is one way to use your own finances to support positive social and environmental impact. Below you will find examples of some unconventional banking options.
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund’s mission is to expand economic opportunity for underserved people and communities by supporting the growth and capacity of a national network of community development lenders, investors and financial service providers. To learn more, click here.
The Global Alliance for Banking on Values is an independent network of banks using finance to deliver sustainable economic, social and environmental development. To learn more, click here.
Collective Commitment to Climate Action is a groundbreaking pledge banks are taking to align their business with international climate goals into practice. To learn more about the pledge and the banks taking action, click here.
The Regenerative Economy
Regenerative Recovery
Renewable Energy Usage
Using energy sources that are low-impact and renewable preserves ecosystems and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy offers the opportunity to manage long term risk and is beneficial for marketing purposes. Installing onsite renewable energy can also reduce long term utility costs. Explore resources to help you increase your energy usage produced from low-impact renewable resources.
Looking to reduce your footprint? Xcel offers renewable energy options for Colorado businesses.
Purchase Energy Star qualified products.
Does your city offer green programs? Are you based in Denver? Check out Certifiably Green Denver and learn from expert advisers from the city of Denver who will work with you to create a personalized plan for your business and help you implement it to reach your sustainability goals.
Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is a financing tool that allows commercial and multifamily property owners to finance qualifying energy efficiency, water conservation and other clean energy improvements on existing and newly constructed properties, with repayment of the financing through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill.
Interested in installing solar panels as a clean energy, money-saving alternative? B Corp Namaste Solar can answer your questions and guide you through the process.
This resource guide from the EPA includes examples on how you can reduce your energy use and lessen your environmental impact.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Quantifying and targeting greenhouse gas emissions allows companies to mitigate climate-related risks to health, security and the environment. Businesses can benefit from increased energy efficiency, long-term cost reductions and attracting values aligned employees.
Use this helpful B Lab Guide to help you Calculate Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Learn more about your carbon footprint with this carbon footprint calculator from Protect Our Winters.
Accurate recording of greenhouse gas emissions is the first step to setting reduction targets and strategies. You can refer to greenhouse gas protocol tools like this one that enable companies to develop comprehensive and reliable inventories of their GHG emissions.
Identify and implement GHG reduction opportunities. This website offers a wide range of strategies, guides, and resources to help organizations reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Do you fly for work? Be creative! Choose an airline that offers a carbon offsetting option for travelers. Companies like Delta or United offer this service.
Offset your carbon emissions with the Colorado Carbon Fund.
Environmental Management
A formal environmental management system provides policies and procedures for a company to establish a cycle of continual improvement and reduce its overall negative impact on the environment. Companies with a robust environmental management system can minimize the risk of non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations as well as minimize costs through increased resource efficiency.
Contact your public county or city to see if they offer incentives or additional support to improve your environmental practices.
The Environmental Leadership Program (Colorado): The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is our statewide environmental recognition and reward program, which offers benefits and incentives to members that voluntarily go beyond compliance with state and federal regulations and are committed to continual environmental improvement.
Manage and improve your environmental practices with Certifiably Green Denver: Expert advisers from the city of Denver will work with you to create a personalized plan for your business and help you implement it to reach your sustainability goals.
Manage and improve your environmental practices with ClimateWise: ClimateWise is a free, voluntary program that offers simple solutions to help Fort Collins Businesses reduce their impact, save money and gain recognition for their achievements in energy and water conservation, waste reduction, alternative transportation and social responsibility.
Manage and improve your environmental practices Partner for a Clean Environment (PACE) in Boulder County: PACE provides free expert advisor services, financial incentives and a certification program to help businesses measure and gain recognition for their energy, waste, water, and transportation achievements.
B Lab x UN Global Compact: Environmental Stewardship Strategy
Clean Energy Transformation
Voter Registration
Why don’t people vote? They don’t have enough time. By encouraging voter participation and offering employees time off to vote, the business community can take a non-partisan approach to address the most significant issues of our time. Find organizations assisting with this movement below.
Time to Vote: Time to Vote is a nonpartisan movement led by the business community to contribute to the culture shift needed to increase voter participation in our country’s elections.
Environmental Voters Project: This project ams to significantly increase voter demand for environmental leadership by identifying inactive environmentalists and then turning them into consistent activists and voters.
Policy Advocacy for Social and Environmental Issues
Whether your goal is to take a political stand with your brand or engage employees in civic activity, there are many ways for you company to get involved in civic engagement. Check out the following resources to learn how your company can make a difference.
Good Business Colorado Association is the voice of values driven businesses committed to a prosperous, equitable and sustainable Colorado.
Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors and others who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment.
B Lab x UN Global Compact Resource: The Ambition Loop – How Business and Government Can Advance Policies that Fast Track Zero-Carbon Economic Growth is resource guide exemplifying how a positive feedback loop in which bold government policies and private sector leadership reinforce each other and take climate action to the next level.
Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems
Workers
When a worker base grows, its capacity for generating revenue increases. A growing company can improve efficiencies through economies of scale or increase its overall market share. Identify your lowest paid wage and compare it to a recognized third-party living wage standard, such as those identified below.
In the United States, you can use the MIT Living Wage Calculator to find the appropriate wage based on the local cost of living.
Inclusive Hiring Practices
Inclusive hiring practices widens the pool of applicants and attracts top talent to organizations. Leaders practicing inclusive hiring understand that education and previous work experience are not the only predictors of individual potential.
Make the change to skills-based practices to avoid bias in your recruiting practices: Learn how to tackle bias in your recruiting process on developing skill based hiring practices with Skillful.
Explore some neutral hiring practices such as blind review: The blind review process eliminates identification details from resumes and applications such as name, gender, ethnic background, education, age and personal interests to avoid potential biases in the recruiting process. Check out this resource from Workable on creating a blind hiring process.
Include an Equal Employment Opportunity Statement for job posting. For example:
Equity
Circular Economy and Waste
Explore news articles about the Regenerative Recovery Coalition and its impact!
