Good Energy becomes UK's first B Corp certified household energy supplier

Good Energy Group PLC, the renewable electricity supplier based in Chippenham, has announced its certification as a B Corp, marking a significant milestone in its 25th year.

Founded in 1999 with the mission to promote cleaner energy, Good Energy has been a pioneer in the UK's renewable energy sector.

The company introduced the first solar export tariff for homes and launched a fully certified 100 per cent renewable electricity supply tariff. Now, it stands as the only UK household energy supplier certified as a B Corp.

B Corps are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Certification requires a score of at least 80 points in the B Impact Assessment, a tool that measures a business's impact on its workers, community, customers, and environment.

Good Energy scored an impressive 118.5 points, particularly excelling in the environment category due to its renewable energy products and services.

However, to secure enduring certification, Good Energy must make a legal change to enshrine its purpose.

The company has proposed a resolution to its shareholders to amend its articles of association to include commitments to social and environmental impact alongside profitability.

Despite strong support, the resolution has not yet passed the required 75 per cent voting threshold. The company has one year from certification to achieve this legal change and will re-propose the resolution to its shareholders.

Nigel Pocklington, CEO of Good Energy, said: "The best businesses have a purpose beyond profit and Good Energy's has always been very clear, to give people the power to be part of the solution to climate change.

"So joining the unstoppable B Corp movement of purpose-led businesses is a fantastic way to celebrate our 25th year."

"As the only UK household energy supplier to be B Corp certified we are proud to be able to give customers the opportunity to choose an energy company which prioritises people and the planet alongside profit. And as a UK-listed B Corp, anyone can buy their own shares in a purpose-led British business too."

Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, said: "In order to transform our economy, we need businesses of all shapes and sizes - from start-ups to publicly-listed companies - to be accountable for their impact on people and the planet. So it's great to be welcoming Good Energy Group PLC into the B Corp community, paving the way for a new, and better, way of doing business."

Cherish Jackson, Sustainability Manager at Good Energy, who managed the certification process, said: "Certification to become a B Corp is no mean feat.

"The process involves providing evidence from all across the business, from our sustainability practices to our governance processes and community giving.

"Which means it truly is a team effort with everyone at Good Energy involved, whether through directly providing evidence or in their daily work helping customers and focusing on our purpose.

"To achieve B Corp status with a score of 118.5 is something we can all be very proud of, but we don't plan to stop there. We now have a framework for continuous improvement."

Chris Turner also mentioned that Good Energy will be participating in the Louder Than Words festival, where they will discuss their certification journey and their vision for the future of energy transition.