About Green Business Bureau

What is the purpose of Green Business Bureau?

We are committed to developing and delivering innovative software solutions that enable organizations to manage and track their sustainability impact and performance.

 

We exist to serve our customers by enabling organizations to realize and recognize the value-added impact they can make for their organizations, stakeholders, and the world, through implementing sustainability initiatives that tie back to the three pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).

What does Green Business Bureau do?

GBB is a sustainability management software company. Our software, built for organizations of all sizes, helps you build a sustainability program tailored to your unique needs – whether you’re just getting started with sustainability or you’re a seasoned pro. 

 

GBB’s sustainability management software platform includes a suite of features that enables organizations to efficiently access, plan, and execute compliant sustainability initiatives to achieve greater impact. The software’s advanced filtering capabilities help filter by cost, impact, and effort to help you properly prioritize. It also provides an industry-recognized certification to reward you for your efforts and promote your sustainability accomplishments publicly.  

 

Our software is backed by a team of sustainability industry experts who have carefully curated our proprietary framework, and custom-built sustainability initiatives,  for launching and managing a successful sustainability program based on existing science and standards.

General Information

What size of companies does Green Business Bureau serve?

The Green Business Bureau sustainability management software serves any sized organization, small, medium, or large. We have customers of all sizes with the ability to tailor your subscription package to your unique needs.

My organization is just starting out on its sustainability journey, are we ready for Green Business Bureau?

Yes. Our software is suitable for any organization at any stage of its sustainability journey. If you’re just getting started, we have hundreds of initiatives for you to choose from with key steps and descriptions, helping you seamlessly build a sustainability program that works for you,  at your own pace.

 

We find that most organizations that are just starting their sustainability programs quickly realize there are many low-level efforts and initiatives they can implement to drive immediate impact and elevate a near real-time return on investment.

My organization already has a defined sustainability program, should we still sign up?

Yes. Green Business Bureau has hundreds of initiatives, so even if you already have a robust program, we likely have initiatives you haven’t even considered yet. Additionally, you can mark off each initiative you have already completed to get credit for past efforts and certify your achievements thus far. Share your certification on your website, socials, and marketing materials to get recognition for your accomplishments.

Why should I sign up for Green Business Bureau instead of other sustainability management software?

Green Business Bureau differentiates itself from other sustainability management software through our proprietary sustainability program management framework built by industry experts. Our software doesn’t just assign one-size-fits-all sustainability initiatives and expect you to complete them all. We have hundreds of weighted initiatives with descriptions and steps so you can build a program that works for you and drives real results. We also take it a step further and certify you for your accomplishments. The live seal links to your public profile, serving as a way to easily promote your accomplishments.

How does Green Business Bureau help me achieve other certifications?

Green Business Bureau aligns our initiatives with globally recognized frameworks, standards, science, and industry certifications. Other certifications expect you to already have an advanced program in place with measured results when you begin the process. Our Sustainability Management Platform helps you build and manage your program, wherever you are in your journey,  and reach goals that will not only get you certified with us but also help you qualify for other certifications.  

​​We don’t just stop there. Once you reach the milestones that help you achieve other certifications, our sustainability management software allows you to continue to manage, maintain, and exceed your status by continuously driving sustainability improvements within your organization to achieve greater impact and value.

Choosing A Subscription

Which subscription package is right for me?

Not sure where to start? Just getting started on your sustainability journey? The Starter package is right for your organization if you aren’t ready to fully invest in sustainability and achieve certification but you want to get a feel for some lower-level effort sustainability initiatives you can begin working on to get started.

 

The Certified package is right for your organization if you want to take it to the next level of sustainability and get more advanced features like access to enhanced initiatives, multi-location support, and a wide variety of sustainability resources to help you build out a successful sustainability program.

 

The Enterprise package is right for your organization if you are a larger company, serious about sustainability, ready to build out a robust program, or want to get the most out of your subscription. This is our most advanced and robust package with every feature Green Business Bureau has to offer.

How can I get the most out of my subscription?

The Enterprise package has the most advanced features and support options, making it the best choice if you want everything Green Business Bureau has to offer.

What does the fee per employee mean?

This fee covers each employee who works at the company. This helps us scale your subscription and support based on the size of your company.

What does the fee per location mean?

For Certified and Enterprise subscriptions, there is a fee per location that will be using the Green Business Bureau software. This enables each location to have a unique account, prioritize their initiatives, and track their progress individually.

Certification Process

How were the Green Business Bureau initiatives developed?

Each of our initiatives is developed by educated sustainability experts based on the latest and globally recognized frameworks, science, technology, and standards. Some frameworks include the UN SDGs, SBTI, GRI, SASB, B Corp, ISO 14001, and LEED. 

 

Our industry-specific initiatives are based on collaboration with a focus group of experts and professionals in that industry and industry-specific standards and certifications.

How does the scoring work?

We use our proprietary framework to score each initiative based on unique effort, cost, and impact.

Should I complete every initiative?

No. We do not expect customers to complete every initiative, in fact, we have hundreds of initiatives because we understand sustainability is not one size fits all. We have many initiatives to choose from so you can build a sustainability program that works for you.

What if an initiative doesn’t apply to my organization?

Every initiative may not work for every organization, so if an initiative doesn’t work for you, don’t mark it as complete. You only get points for what you do complete, you don’t get penalized if you don’t complete it.

What if I don’t know how to complete an initiative?

Click on the bubble next to each initiative name to see more details about the initiative. Each initiative has descriptions, key steps, and related content developed by sustainability experts to take the guesswork out of completing initiatives.

Can you help us build a custom, personalized sustainability program?

GBB’s sustainability management software is designed to be self-guided; however, we do offer advisory  services to customers who have specific sustainability program needs. Contact us  if you are interested in learning more about how we can partner with you to meet your goals and unique needs.

How long does it take to get certified?

The Green Business Bureau Certification process is self-paced based on your timeline, resources, goals, and budget. If you already have a robust sustainability program, it will take less time to get to your desired certification level. If you’re just beginning, it will take more time to build a program and see results. However; we have Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Certification levels, so you can share your seal every step of the way.

What Certification level should my organization aim for?

Platinum is our highest Certification level. It represents a strong commitment to sustainability with higher-impact, more difficult-to-achieve initiatives.  Reaching Platinum level sets you up for success in reaching more rigorous certifications and achieving greater stakeholder value and higher return on investment.

How can I communicate my Certification?

The Green Business Bureau Certification recognizes sustainable organizations’ accomplishments. You can use your Certification to showcase your level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), and advertise your sustainability accomplishments. 

 

Things you can say: 

  • Our organization has reached  (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) Certification with the Green Business Bureau.
  • We are Certified  (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) with the Green Business Bureau.
  • We are advancing our sustainability program with the Green Business Bureau.

 

Things you cannot say:

  • Your product is certified.
    • Ex: Our product has been Green Business Bureau certified.
  • Claims about environmental impact.
    • Ex: Our product has been certified by the Green Business Bureau as being good for your health and the planet.
  • You are certified beyond your Certification level.

Making improper claims may result in your Certification being revoked. Contact us if you need more information on how to properly promote your certification.

How does Green Business Bureau prevent greenwashing?

Per the terms and conditions, all GBB customers are subject to randomized third-party audits to minimize greenwashing and verify their performance and accuracy of claims. Gold or Platinum-certified organizations undergo an audit process where they must provide the necessary documentation, photos, receipts, etc. to verify the completion of high-level initiatives. 

 

Additionally, the online Green Business Bureau Certification is a dynamic, clickable seal that redirects to a public profile where consumers, employees, partners, and other stakeholders can see exactly what sustainability efforts your organization is doing in real-time. Your online public profile serves to not only promote your achievements but also hold your organization accountable for your completed sustainability efforts.

How can I use my Certification?

You can use your Certification on your website, marketing materials, sustainability report, building, etc. This is a great way to showcase your accomplishments! 

 

Be sure to update your materials when/if your Certification level changes.

How can I communicate my Certification?

The Green Business Bureau Certification recognizes sustainable organizations’ accomplishments. You can use your Certification to showcase your level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), and advertise your sustainability accomplishments. 

 

Things you can say: 

  • Our organization has reached  (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) Certification with the Green Business Bureau.
  • We are Certified  (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) with the Green Business Bureau.
  • We are advancing our sustainability program with the Green Business Bureau.

 

Things you cannot say:

  • Your product is certified.
    • Ex: Our product has been Green Business Bureau certified.
  • Claims about environmental impact.
    • Ex: Our product has been certified by the Green Business Bureau as being good for your health and the planet.
  • You are certified beyond your Certification level.

Making improper claims may result in your Certification being revoked. Contact us if you need more information on how to properly promote your certification.

Am I still Certified if I cancel my subscription?

No. Per our terms and conditions, if you cancel your subscription, you must immediately remove all claims of GBB Certification from your website and all materials.

How can I use my Certification?

You can use your Certification on your website, marketing materials, sustainability report, building, etc. This is a great way to showcase your accomplishments! 

 

Be sure to update your materials when/if your Certification level changes.

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