The folks at Sustainable Business Achievement Ratings (S-BAR) think so. They’re working on a web-based tool for consumers and companies “that
offers instant feedback, fast-track learning, evaluation and market-segment
comparisons” regarding corporate environmental and social performance.
As S-BAR’s site points out, a wide variety of voluntary environmental and social standards exist covering various product, facilities, and company attributes, but they don’t add up to a coherent whole.
As a result, it’s difficult for consumers to know just how “good” any given company is—and for businesses to know what exactly they should do to be considered “good.”
S-BAR says it has developed a conceptual framework (using five categories—governance and management, workplace, community, marketplace, and environment) as well as software specifications for its tool. Currently it’s in research-and-analysis mode to refine those standards. And it’s looking for funding so that it can start beta-testing and preparing to roll out the system.
Sustainability standards are certainly an intriguing idea, but I have to wonder how well they will “take,” given that so many different ideas exist on what sustainability means. I immediately think of the debates surrounding the USDA organic standards. But my interest is certainly piqued.