Good Business Charter and Investors in the Environment unite to champion environmental action
The Good Business Charter (GBC), the UK’s benchmark for responsible business, has announced a new partnership with Investors in the Environment (iiE).
The collaboration comes at a critical time, with UK businesses under growing pressure from customers, employees and investors to demonstrate real progress towards sustainability and net zero targets alongside other socially responsible business practices.
The GBC and iiE come together to encourage organisations to step up their environmental ambitions and wider responsible business practices, and to gain recognition for their achievements.
A shared vision for a fairer, greener economy
Jenny Herrera, CEO of the Good Business Charter, said:
“Environmental responsibility is a core pillar of the Good Business Charter, but we know that many organisations need specialist guidance to help them go further and faster. This partnership with Investors in the Environment (iiE) gives our members access to proven expertise and practical tools, while making it easier for iiE members to be recognised for their broader responsible business practices, by accrediting with the GBC.”
Antony Gough, National Lead of Investors in the Environment, said:
“iiE exists to make environmental action achievable for every business, whether they’re just starting out or already aiming for ambitious sustainability targets. Partnering with the Good Business Charter connects our work to a wider network of organisations that share our values and want to lead by example, whilst encouraging our members to go further and demonstrate their wider responsible business practices.”
Helping businesses raise their environmental game
iiE has spent over 15 years guiding organisations of all sizes through the process of improving environmental management, reducing emissions and embedding sustainable practices. iiE is best known for its well-respected green business accreditation and tailored one-to-one support to help its members improve their environmental performance. It also offers training and learning support via its own Green Champions training, the iiE Stickerbook micro-learning platform, and Carbon Literacy courses , as well as being a provider of ISEP (previously IEMA) certified training.
As part of the partnership, iiE will be piloting iiE Essentials for GBC accredited organisations, a newly developed taster version of the main iiE programme, offering practical resources for smaller organisations or those beginning their sustainability journey.
The GBC was launched 5 years ago as the UK’s benchmark for responsible business practices. It has been adopted by organisations of all types and sizes and helps them demonstrate and communicate that they care for both people and planet. The Charter incorporates looking after employees and social responsibilities, alongside a commitment to environmental responsibility.
iiE members can use the programme resources to meet the Environmental Responsibility component of the GBC’s ten-part framework — making it easier for them to be recognised more widely for their responsible business practices and become GBC accredited. In addition, iiE organisations will have the GBC sign-up fee waived, supporting more businesses to gain broader recognition for commitments such as fair pay, employee wellbeing and ethical sourcing.
Meanwhile, GBC-accredited organisations will be encouraged to explore iiE’s support to further deepen their environmental practices and will benefit from a 10% discount on iiE Essentials or iiE Accreditation membership packages (first year’s membership only) or off any training available through the programme.
Together for a fairer, greener future
Founded by Julian Richer and developed in collaboration with the CBI, TUC and FSB, the Good Business Charter sets a high bar for responsible business across ten components that align with public expectations and support business resilience. Investors in the Environment has over a decade of experience helping organisations reduce their environmental impact, measure and report on progress and gain recognition for their achievements.
Together, this partnership strengthens the UK’s ecosystem of responsible business — growing a movement rooted in fairness, sustainability and lasting impact.
More about the Good Business Charter
The Good Business Charter was developed, and is overseen by, the Good Business Foundation, an independent charity established in 2019 by entrepreneur Julian Richer.
The Charter is a simple accreditation which organisations in the UK can sign up to in recognition of responsible business practices.
It measures behaviour over ten components (nine for charities and public sector): real living wage; fairer hours and contracts; employee well-being; employee representation; equality, diversity and inclusion; environmental responsibility; paying fair tax; commitment to customers; ethical sourcing, and prompt payment. An organisation must meet all ten components (nine for charities and public sector) to receive GBC accreditation.
It is open to private sector, public sector and charities of all sizes including a streamlined version for organisations with 50 employees or fewer.
Website: www.goodbusinesscharter.com