Zest earns B Corp certification
Zest, one of the fastest-growing EV charging networks, has announced today its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing group of companies reinventing business by pursuing purpose as well as profit. Zest has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, as having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit. The EV infrastructure industry is growing and maturing very rapidly, and Zest’s B Corp certification signals a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the sector.
The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers five key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. The certification process is rigorous, with applicants required to reach a benchmark score of over 80 while providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency. To complete the certification, the company legally embedded their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles.
“We formed Zest to accelerate the UK public's access to EV charging, driven by our determination to make a tangible difference to climate change. The only way to get the public on board is to invest in abundant EV charging that fits with people’s lives and to manage it as long-term strategic infrastructure,” said Robin Heap, Zest CEO. “We believe that with Zest’s growth comes even greater responsibility to lead as a force for good, and from day one we’ve built a careful balance between people, planet and profit. So for us, joining the B Corp community is both a great honour and the most natural next step for our company.”
Zest is now part of a community of 6,810 businesses globally who have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK, representing a broad cross section of industries and sizes, comprises over 1,400 companies and include well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.
Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, says “We are delighted to welcome Zest to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. We know that Zest is going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward”.
“We are pleased to have B Corps of all shapes and sizes as part of our community – from startups to multinationals and across many different industries. Business is a powerful force and B Corps demonstrate that you can do good in any sector. Welcoming Zest is an exciting moment because they have an opportunity to lead the way within the EV industry. We and the rest of the B Corp community are really pleased to support Zest in paving the way for a new way of doing things”.