2030hub and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce (ELCC) have today announced an innovative partnership to further accelerate the impact of sustainable businesses across Lancashire to better support Covid recovery, climate change and level-up social inequalities.
This new collaboration will be the first in the world for a Chamber of Commerce with this place-based focus on accelerating private sector awareness and adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in combination with B Corp certification. These will act as two separate yet complementary tools to better inform and guide businesses of all sizes to profitably manage the increasing demands and complexity of Covid recovery, climate change and social justice whilst delivering the biggest impacts in local communities.
According to a UN report, there are £9 trillion of new revenue opportunities every year if we can achieve the 17 aspirational goals of the SDGs. How do East Lancashire businesses win their share of that, and how do those same businesses help the furthest behind locally in the process? B Corp is a rapidly growing private sector certification and movement for social good that already includes leading brands such as Patagonia, Danone, Brewdog, Ben & Jerry’s, Hootsuite, The Guardian, Body Shop and Triodos Bank.
By combining ELCC’s knowledge of local businesses, their immediate needs and their future plans with 2030hub’s world-leading specialist expertise in the SDGs & B Corp certification plus 2030hub’s influential global networks, the new partnership aims to provide an exciting regional pathway to further competitive advantage for businesses of all sizes preparing for a Covid and COP26 dominated short-term landscape.
Local businesses will receive access to free specialist online advice surgeries, exclusive webinars, pro bono support for selected aspiring B Corps via the new B Start initiative, plus access to international thought-leadership, a global community of commercial best practice and additional business support resources.
“I bet not many hairdressers, pubs, solicitors or engineers in Accrington were worried about health issues in China back in Christmas 2019. Just over a year later, the world has changed forever. 2021 will be yet another demanding year as we explore what normal is again in a world dominated by economic recovery and a reinvigorated climate change focus. The impact of the COP26 climate conference and the race to net-zero cannot be overestimated, but Covid has also shown the need for us all to better understand the connection between global and local, economic, social and environmental issues. The SDGs and B Corp are the strongest, most flexible and powerful roadmaps to better identify innovation, new markets, new products, new collaborations and commercial success whilst also reaching those furthest behind first.” said 2030hub’s David Connor.
“2020 was indeed a year of changing perspectives for our whole community across East Lancashire, businesses included. With new realisations about the importance of our mental health, our business communities’ survival and a growing focus and awareness of all things climate and net zero. It has been a year of transition, from climate being seen as a pressure issue, a challenge to the corporate and public sector community alike, to now the journey to a low carbon future and net zero, being coined as a major escape route from the covid economic damage. Working together to embrace the B Corps opportunity, East Lancashire Chamber and the 2030hub hope to support our local business community to not only survive but thrive as part of a low carbon, responsible and proactive Lancashire environment.” said Miranda Barker, CEO, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.
Find out how the Sustainable Development Goals and B Corp can add value to your business by calling +44 (0)1254 356 400 or emailing info@chamberelancs.co.uk
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Notes to Editors:
2030hub
2030hub is the world’s first UN-recognised Local2030 Hub (www.local2030.org) accelerating localised multi-stakeholder adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Launched in Liverpool, 2030hub champions and supports both businesses and local authorities to utilise the SDG framework, achieve B Corp certification and full-service sustainability and communications support.
East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
ELCC is committed to helping Pennine Lancashire have a thriving economy. They are active at local, regional and national levels in the influential decision making bodies, whose programmes and investments, both public and private, determine the environment in which business operates.
ELCC help companies across the area with their productivity, by helping reduce costs, providing qualified advice, training and developing staff, increasing sales and improving profits.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are a globally agreed call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. More important than ever, the goals provide a critical framework for COVID-19 recovery.
B Corporation (B Corp)
4000 global certified B Corps (short for B Corporation) are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using businesses as a force for good.
Media Contact:
+44 (0)151 558 1066 / +44 (0)7904 113467
www.linkedin.com/company/2030hub
+44 (0)1254 356 400
www.linkedin.com/company/east-lancashire-chamber-of-commerce
