Sustainability Certifications: Driving Change in Business

Introduction to sustainability certificates

The sustainability certifications for specific impact indicators (such as GHG emissions, plastic pollution or water consumption) have become a key element for companies seeking to improve their environmental and social performance, adapting to new market demands. In a world where sustainability is no longer just an option, but a necessity, measuring the current situation, drawing up a plan to improve it, and obtaining certifications that validate an organization's environmental and ethical commitment is crucial.

These services not only help companies reduce their environmental impact, but also improve their reputation. They also increase trust among customers, investors and other stakeholders. Whether in the carbon footprint reduction, sustainable event management, or responsible purchasing, certifications allow organizations to position themselves as leaders in sustainability.

Importance of environmental monitoring and certification in companies

Sustainability has become a fundamental aspect for companies. Both due to regulatory pressure and the growing demand from conscious consumers at the end of the supply chain, which therefore affects intermediate producers. Having sustainability seals gives a competitive advantage, allowing companies to demonstrate their real commitment to the environment and society.

In addition, certifications help organizations comply with environmental regulations. They also minimize risks and optimize their internal processes, reducing costs in energy, water and materials. In this sense, many companies have recognized that implementing sustainable practices not only benefits the planet, but also improves their long-term profitability.

Main sustainability certifications: Carbon Footprint, Water Footprint, Ecovadis, BCorp and more

There are various certifications covering multiple aspects of sustainability. Below we explore some of the most relevant ones:

• Carbon footprint: Measures the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated directly or indirectly by an organization, product, service or event, among others. This indicator is essential for companies seeking to reduce the climate impact associated with their activity or even achieve carbon neutrality.
• Water footprint: Evaluates the water impact of a company, product, process or service, allowing organizations to optimize their use of this valuable resource.
• Ecovadis: This certification assesses the sustainability performance of companies in areas such as environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable purchasing. Ecovadis is widely used by global supply chains.
• BCorp: Awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and responsibility. Being a BCorp company is synonymous with a comprehensive commitment to sustainability.
• ISO 20121: It focuses on sustainable event management, ensuring that the entire process, from planning to execution, minimizes its environmental impact.
• ISO 20400: Focused on sustainable purchasing, this standard helps companies integrate sustainability criteria into the supply chain, promoting more responsible decisions when purchasing products and services.
• Eco-labels Type I, II and IIIThese labels recognise products that meet strict environmental criteria throughout their life cycle, enabling consumers to make informed and responsible decisions.
• Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): Provides quantitative information on the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle, helping businesses and consumers to better understand the environmental effects of their choices.
• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): The SBT initiative stems from a collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the World Wildlife Fund. Since 2015, more than 1,000 companies have joined the initiative to set a science-based climate target through a series of steps that ECOTERRAE can help you with.
• Lean & Green: It is the largest European collaboration platform specifically aimed at reducing emissions associated with the supply chain and logistics. Its objective is to help companies from all sectors reduce their greenhouse gas emissions derived from logistics activities. In this way, they achieve the objectives defined at the Climate Summit in Paris (COP21) of carbon-neutral emissions by 2050. It currently has a presence in 14 countries and more than 600 member companies throughout Europe. In addition, it is a leading European community in sustainable logistics, led in Spain by AECOC and ECOTERRAE being a consultancy specialized in advising companies that wish to join the initiative.
• CDP: We advise on the CDP initiative, a non-profit organization that manages a global climate performance disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions. Its objective is for organizations to measure, manage, disclose and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to collect the resulting data and make it available to the market.
• ISCC: ISCC is a globally applicable sustainability certification system covering all sustainable feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry biomass, biogenic waste and residues, circular materials and renewable energies such as biomethane. With more than 8,000 certificates currently valid in over 120 countries, ISCC is among the largest certification systems in the world. ECOTERRAE advises on the certification under ISCC of renewable biomethane products, as it is the main standard approved by the European Union to homologate the guarantees of renewable origin of the future European biomethane market.

The role of certifications in achieving the SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), established by the UN, mark a path towards a more just, sustainable and inclusive future. Measuring sustainability indicators plays a fundamental role in meeting these goals, especially those related to climate action, natural resource management and the promotion of equality.

By aligning with the SDGs, companies not only contribute to improving their sustainable performance, but also reinforce their social responsibility. Certifications such as BCorp and Ecovadis help organizations implement practices aligned with the SDGs. This, in turn, strengthens their ability to generate positive impact.

Economic and reputational benefits of improving sustainability in organizations

Continuous improvement in sustainability, regardless of the impact category in which one works, not only implies recognition of environmental commitment (even more so in the case of being certified), but also opens the door to economic and reputational benefits. Companies often experience:

• Improvements in operational efficiencyBy adopting sustainable practices, many companies are able to reduce costs associated with energy, water and waste management.
• Access to new markets: Certification and recognition of sustainable corporate strategies allow companies to meet the environmental requirements demanded by business partners, governments and international customers.
• Improving corporate image: Consumers increasingly value commitment to the environment. Having a sustainability certificate improves public perception and strengthens customer loyalty.

Case studies: How ECOTERRAE has helped companies obtain certifications of sustainability

With more than 12 years of experience in the sector, ECOTERRAE has advised more than 300 clients on their path to sustainability. Over the years, we have helped companies across a range of sectors to measure and act, as well as to obtain key certifications, improving both their environmental performance and their reputation.

For example, in the sector industrial or service, we have worked on the implementation of the Carbon footprint or water footprint. This is how we help companies measure and reduce their emissions or water impact, respectively. In the field of events, we have successfully implemented the standard ISO 20121 to ensure that events are managed sustainably.

Our comprehensive approach has enabled companies to improve their operations while creating value for both their shareholders and the environment.

Challenges in the implementation of sustainable certifications

Despite the clear benefits, implementing sustainability certifications can present challenges. Common ones include:

• Initial costs: While differentiation generates savings in the long term, the initial investment in consulting and auditing and implementing changes can be a barrier for some companies.
• Lack of knowledge: Some companies are unaware of the consulting and certification options that best fit their operations, which can lead to choosing less suitable programs.
• Continuous complianceMaintaining continuous measurement and action plans after the initial measurement, in favor of continuous improvement, requires constant effort, since standards are often updated and audits are periodic.

Future trends in sustainability certifications

Sustainability certifications are evolving to adapt to new market demands and global regulations. In the future, we will see a growth in the use of technologies such as blockchainThese will ensure transparency in supply chains and product certification.

In addition, further integration of criteria is expected. circular economyHere, certifications assess environmental impact and enable companies to design products that reduce waste and encourage the reuse of resources.

Conclusion: The transformative impact of sustainability certificates

The sustainability certificates They are more than just an environmental badge; they represent a real commitment to a more responsible future. By obtaining these certifications, companies reduce their impact on the environment. They also improve their competitiveness and strengthen the trust of their customers and partners.

In a world where sustainability is crucial, being certified is a key advantage for long-term business success.