The international surfing brand, Rip Curl has become the latest to join the B Corp movement, compounding the team’ commitment to balancing profit with its impact on the ocean and beaches central to the surfing culture.
Not only does the announcement land as we near the half-way point of B Corp month this month, but follows news of the agreement of a new global legally binding High Seas Treaty when UN representatives convened in New York earlier this month.
The Treaty will create a framework to conserve marine life and restrain harmful activities in two-thirds of the ocean.
Rip Curl has made clear its ‘bold ESG targets’ to drive positive social and environmental impact and marks the B Corp certification as a ‘stamp of independent approval’ that the brand is meeting stringent standards for positive change.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UjRhS2Wdvc[/embedyt]
“I am proud to represent a brand that believes in doing its part to protect the environment, support our communities, and is committed to using business as a force for good,” said the three-times World Surfing Champion and Rip Curl ambassador, Mick Fanning.
Rip Curl’s chief executive officer, Brooke Farris, said the certification marks another ‘incredible achievement for the company.’
Earlier this month, the brand unveiled its Reconciliation Action Plan, a formal commitment to reconciliation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, joining some 1,100 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations to have made the same commitment. The move will play a key role in Rip Curl’s Social Impact strategy.
“We are so proud to receive B Corp Certification,” said Brooke. “Our Rip Curl crew have welcomed the challenge of certifying against the high-standards required of running responsible business.
“The process with B Lab has seen us both develop and implement a benefit mindset company wide. We continue to make significant steps in progressing as a more sustainable brand, with our Global Wetsuit take-back programme and the Reflect step of our Reconciliation Action Plan just recently approved.
“We are motivated by the positive impact we can make both now and in the future.”
