As we bid farewell to an exceptional B Corp Month brimming with remarkable activities and initiatives, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed B Corp community and supporters for their unwavering dedication in propelling this transformative movement forward.
Last month, over 8,000 B Corp Certified businesses celebrated B Corp Month 2024 around the globe and discussed how they would move forward together to pave the way for better business. In Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore), B Corps gathered in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand on 6 and 7 March, to raise awareness and learn more about B Corp Certification with B Market Builder Southeast Asia.
This month, we will be unveiling more exciting events designed to sustain our collective momentum. Please follow and stay tuned to our LinkedIn for the latest updates.
In this issue, we extend a warm welcome to our newly Certified B Corps who have recently joined our esteemed Business for Good community.
At BMB SEA, we thrive on collaboration and are always eager to explore new partnerships and ventures with our valued partners and community members. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas, organizing events, or expanding business networks, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for collaborative discussions that drive innovation and growth!
Sincerely,
Editor in Chief
On 6 March 2024, Bintang Capital Partners hosted its inaugural impact conference, “Building a Better Future Together – Catalyzing the ASEAN B Corp Movement”, in collaboration with B Market Builder SEA, B Lab’s ASEAN chapter. The event gathered 150 attendees, including global thought leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, to explore sustainable pathways for ASEAN’s future. Panel discussions focused on the competitive edge of ESG and the role of businesses as forces for good. Bintang Capital’s conference opens the doors for impact investing conversations in ASEAN while positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in propagating B Corps and impact investing.
In celebration of the B Corp month, the Barn Raising 2024 event “Moving Forward Together for Better Indonesia” was held in Jakarta on 7 March 2024. The event showcased leading Indonesian B Corp companies who are committed to positive environmental and social impacts. Transitioning to responsible operations through B Corp certification and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals remained the focus of the event.
The event was covered by numerous prominent media in Jakarta like Antara, Suara Merdeka, and Kompas.
Thailand celebrated B Corp Month 2024 in March, signifying a surge in B Corp certifications, and reaffirming its dedication to sustainable business practices. Yudhi Pradhana, Executive Director of B Market Builder Southeast Asia, visited Thailand to celebrate the country’s increasing involvement in B Corp initiatives. The event featured diverse activities fostering community spirit and collective responsibility, providing businesses with opportunities to explore the benefits of B Corp certification. Thailand’s participation reflects a broader global momentum towards sustainability, with B Corps like PAPER & PAGE leading the charge.
This gathering was covered by numerous prominent media in Thailand such as Khaosod, Matichon, and Prachachat.
PAPER & PAGE features Steps, a certified Thai B Corp that is leading the charge in neurodiversity advocacy and inclusion initiatives. Max Simpson, the CEO, shared about Steps’ alignment with B Corp values from inception. This highlights Steps’ commitment to creating a positive effect on society and the environment, emphasizing their focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals as the central pillar of their mission. Steps aspires to advance inclusivity and sustainability, envisioning a wider B Corp movement in Southeast Asia advocating for policy changes.
The B Corp certification is just the beginning of a journey, and B Corps have to continually improve their impact over time. In the spirit of continuous improvement, B Lab is drafting new standards to elevate recertification requirements, mandating companies to exhibit compliance with the outlined requirements, and share progress on topic-specific plans and goals including fair wages, human rights, climate action, environmental stewardship and circularity, purpose and stakeholder governance, complementary topics, and above and beyond measures that exceed their performance on these requirements.
Clay Brown, Interim Lead Executive and Head of Standards, Certification and Product Delivery at B Lab Global, discussed the evolution of the standards for B Corp Certification at the Assembly 2024 held at Cape Schanck, Australia. He emphasized the need for change with evolving times and shared the updates being made to the certification process, including the development of new standards and a new digital experience for assessing performance.
Have stories to share or questions ask?
Why, yes feel free to email us directly at yudhi@bcorpsea.org
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