At the event, local B Corp certified companies shared how they created value for their businesses, customers, communities and the environment
Cork businesses Change by Degrees, Otnonomee and Climeaction, which are each certified ‘BCorp’ corporations after meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, held the event with B Lab Ireland at the Dean Hotel.
On the day, B Corp companies including UrbanVolt, Velo Coffee Roasters, Ballyhass Adventures, OCEANR, OPITAL Group, Broadlake and Gaia Talent shared stories of how they have created value for their businesses, customers, communities and environment by reshaping business models, company cultures and customer experiences.
Keynote speaker and self-proclaimed ‘entrepreneur for human progress’, Marcello Palazzi set the challenge to make Cork a BCorp city.
Over the past 35 years Palazzi has successfully launched 30+ ventures, including B Lab Europe, where he has grown B Corps in Europe from zero to over 600 today.
He shared examples of B Corp cities from New York, Rome and Barcelona and urged Cork to set a goal to be a leading B Corp city not just in Ireland but globally. He stressed the importance of having an inspiring vision for the city and the country. He set the challenge to launch a ‘Cork Can B initiative’ and keep the momentum generated at the event.
Influential Cork-based corporations such as Merck and Barry Group, joined panel sessions exploring the themes of the event – experience, expertise and influence, with sponsorship provided by Munster-based B Corp certified company Cully & Sully.
After the event Dr Tara Shine, CEO and Co-Founder of Change by Degrees, spoke to those present.
“We started this month with UN Secretary General calling the fossil fuel industry as the godfathers of climate chaos – so the event was a refreshing take on the role of business in doing good, creating jobs, contributing to communities and safeguarding the environment. We firmly believe that if more people in business have the skills they need to do their jobs sustainably – we can accelerate the transition to responsible business practices.”
Madeleine Murray, CPO and Co-Founder of Change by Degrees, said that: “B Corp companies are on a pathway to continuous improvement and part of an international community of over 8000 companies measuring and managing their impact on the global economy to benefit all people.”
Paul Murphy, CEO of Climeaction, commented: “As a business built for impact, we believe it is essential to promote the benefits of using a business as a force for good. Our experience shows that the benefits of B Corp certification are tangible and make commercial sense. We want to support bringing together other businesses to share their experiences and insights.
Hilary O’Shea, Co-Founder and Chief Corporate Officer: “In an increasingly fragmented world, facing serious environmental and social challenges, companies need to act on their moral obligations to use business as a force for good. B Corp provides a transparent global framework to achieve this and brings a like-minded business minds together to elevate impact. Doing well in business and doing good in the world, has never been so critical”
James McManus, Director of BLab Ireland attended the event and said: “B Corp certification will help companies prepare for CSRD. More importantly, it will help them win new business, reduce costs, attract top talent and win investment. We are calling on all Irish companies big and small to future-proof their businesses and join the B Corp movement.”
