When businesses broaden their positive impact beyond bottom-line concerns, they also broaden the scope of their challenges. And in the last year, those challenges have included global crises: COVID-19, increased awareness of racial injustice, economic instability, climate change, and more.

Such large challenges can seem overwhelming, especially for leaders at small businesses. But B Corps and other innovative organizations are playing a vital role in shaping big solutions to help their workers, customers, communities, and the environment. This week’s articles offer everyday examples of how B Corps, including smaller businesses, are tackling big issues, from net zero pledges to COVID-19 vaccinations.

In community,

B The Change  

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In recent years the global climate crisis has grown beyond a concern for environmental advocates, becoming a point of emphasis for large and small companies — led by businesses cutting carbon emissions, pursuing climate justice, and working to achieve net zero by 2030. B The Change shares real-world examples from four B Corps that are reducing their environmental footprint by addressing the four P’s of net zero: pledge, plan, proceed, and publish.
 

Building on their existing relationships with their employees, small business owners can take big steps to help by encouraging their workers, customers, and all Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at their earliest opportunity. This article by Kara Peck of B Lab U.S. & Canada and Stephen Massey of Health Action Alliance provides five things small-business leaders can do to increase the vaccination rate among workers.
 

This practical guide from B Lab features information to help business leaders understand the intersection of climate action and social justice and advance a justice-centered approach to climate action.
 

Coping with the COVID-19 global health pandemic, changing caretaker responsibilities, and political and social issues continues to take an emotional and mental toll, even as vaccines roll out and offices begin reopening. On B The Change, Rebecca Martin of B Corp Beehive Strategic Communication shares four ways that organizations of any size can support employees’ mental health.
 

Here’s your chance to catch up on recent articles:

• 4 Steps Businesses Can Take to Advance a Net Zero by 2030 Commitment and Act Against the Climate Crisis: B Corps Share How They Are Reducing Carbon Emissions and Pursuing Climate Justice

• Small Businesses Continue to Take Big Steps on Vaccination: Health Is Everyone’s Business

• 4 Initiatives to Optimize Employee Mental Health: Evaluate Your Business Practices and Policies to Ensure They Support Mental Well-Being

• How Companies Can Go Beyond Carbon Offsets to Actually Help Reverse the Climate Crisis: B Corp NativeEnergy and Its Clients Pursue Climate-Positive Change

• The Social Cost of Carbon: Viewing Design Decisions Through a New Lens: New Federal Resource Helps Put a Price on Environmental Effects of Building Projects

• How to Measure, Plan, and Adjust Carbon Emissions and More: How Consultants Guide Companies on Their Path to Net Zero: B Corps Pursue Climate Action That Incorporates Climate Justice