Imagine a world where sustainability is not just a buzzword, but the essence of every action. NGOs (short for: Non-Governmental Organizations), these tireless advocates for change, are often pioneers who want to pave the way for a more sustainable planet.
One of their roles is to relentlessly put their finger in the wound, inspiring government institutions, companies and associations to award sustainability certificates or to demand and establish new standards. But what does it look like when we look at the sustainability of NGOs themselves? Are NGOs sustainability champions?
If you think about where your hard-earned donations have the biggest impact, you can't avoid this topic. But all this stuff about certificates, standards, seals - feels like a labyrinth, doesn't it? Don't worry, we'll navigate this maze together and shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes at NGOs. Let's go!
Sustainability certifications - what's behind this term that is appearing more and more frequently in the world of NGOs? They are the link between trust and responsibility, the proof that organizations not only strive for economic success, but also make a positive contribution to our environment and society.
For NGOs, which often act as role models, such certifications are essential. They confirm that the organization not only promotes projects that apply sustainable practices, but also operates according to strict environmental and social standards . Given the variety of certifications, ranging from easy-to-obtain to demanding standards, every NGO faces the challenge of making the best choice for their respective goals and missions.
Choosing the right certifications means identifying those that drive real, measurable change and go beyond mere labeling. At a time when consumers are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, it is crucial that NGOs not only promote sustainable practices, but also exemplify them themselves. Sound sustainability certification is therefore not only a symbol of credibility, but also a decisive factor in strengthening public trust and achieving a long-term impact.
Sustainability is not a one-sided concept. It is a symbiosis of environmental awareness, economic foresight and social justice. NGOs awarding or seeking sustainability certificates should consider all three pillars equally in order to represent a comprehensive picture of sustainability.
The environmental component is often in the spotlight when talking about sustainability. NGOs that are certified in this area are committed to protecting the natural foundations of life. This involves the economical use of resources, the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity and the reduction of emissions such as CO2. The aim is to preserve the planet in such a way that future generations will also find an earth worth living on.
Long-term sustainability is difficult to achieve without economic stability. NGOs that obtain a certificate in this area demonstrate resource-conserving and efficient action. They are committed to ensuring that economic growth does not take place at the expense of the environment or social justice and create models that show how economic activities can be geared towards the benefit of all and for the future.
People are at the heart of social sustainability. This involves the promotion of human rights, working conditions and fair wages, social integration and education. NGOs that acquire a certificate here ensure that their projects and those of their partners improve the quality of life, offer equal opportunities and contribute to a fairer society. In a globally networked world, this aspect is becoming increasingly important, as social inequalities have an impact not only locally but also globally.
By striving for social sustainability certification, NGOs are making a significant contribution to firmly anchoring this third pillar of sustainability in their work and cooperation with companies and raising awareness of social sustainability.
The world of sustainability certifications and standards is diverse and complex. But despite their differences, all reputable certificates share some core characteristics. Wondering what they are? We are happy to list them for you:
1. Independence: a cornerstone of credibility is the independence of the certification bodies. Certificates such as the Gold Standard, which emerged from the cooperation of NGOs such as the WWF, are regarded as role models for impartial assessment of sustainability efforts.
2. Standard-based: These certificates are based on established, often internationally recognized standards. Compliance with these criteria, such as those required for CER certificates under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol, is crucial to the integrity of the certification.
3. Verifiability: The authenticity and credibility of certificates are based on verifiability by independent third parties. For example, ISO 26000 - a guideline that provides orientation and recommendations on how organizations of all kinds should behave - symbolizes a reliable commitment to social responsibility and ethical conduct.
4. Voluntariness: Participation in these programs is always voluntary and demonstrates the respective NGO's proactive assumption of responsibility in the area of sustainability.
How cool would it be to finally know that your donation really makes a difference? Hold my beer - certified NGOs offer this transparency. They let you look behind the scenes and show how your help contributes to sustainable development. And for NGOs, too, this means not only a concrete confirmation of their efforts, but also a strategic reinforcement of their commitment to sustainable development. The credibility that is underpinned by certification is crucial to strengthening the trust of funders, donors and the general public. This makes it easier for NGOs to credibly communicate the effectiveness of their initiatives and furthermore, such certifications can help raise an NGO's profile, validate its mission and open up new avenues for partnerships and funding - such as through fundraising.
These are the main benefits:
Some certification programs offer tiered pricing structures to increase accessibility for smaller NGOs, while larger organizations that have more complex operations and a wider reach pay more accordingly. In addition, some certifiers offer financial assistance or sliding scale pricing systems based on the organization's ability to pay to ensure that smaller NGOs have access to certification.
For specific information, we recommend contacting the certification bodies directly or checking their websites for current prices and conditions. It can also be helpful to consult networks of other NGOs that have already gone through certification processes in order to benefit from their experience and knowledge.
What generally remains the same are the cost factors for internal and external audits. External auditing costs are costs incurred by a certification body for auditing the NGO and issuing a certificate. For NGOs with up to 30 employees, these typically amount to around €4,000 - €10,000. Internal auditing costs can be completely eliminated if the NGO's employees are responsible for this role themselves. For an NGO with up to 30 employees, this usually costs at least around €1,000 - €2,000 per year.
For NGOs, the situation is sometimes even trickier: they have to prove their credibility without being drawn into the maelstrom of greenwashing. It is important that the standards behind the certificates are robust. They should not only take into account environmental management and ecological footprints, but also social responsibility and economic viability - keyword: three pillars or triple bottom line - the simultaneous consideration of environmental, social and economic aspects.
If NGOs can score points in these areas, then there is more behind the green image than just empty promises.
Sustainability standards are therefore more than just a tool in the marketing box - they are a decisive factor in achieving real environmental and social progress. NGOs that meet these strict criteria make an important contribution to environmental protection and social development.
As a donor or supporter, you can help to distinguish real progress from greenwashing. Ask questions, do your research and be critical of the NGOs you want to support. Take a look at how they obtained their certificates, what standards they adhere to and how they measure their success.
Sustainability certifications are more than just a trend for NGOs - they are a tool to build credibility, promote transparency and ultimately accelerate sustainable development. However, they also require a willingness to continuously evolve. NGOs face the challenge of choosing certifications that both live up to their own standards and are recognized and valued by outsiders.
The journey towards a sustainable future may still be a long one, but with reliable, transparent and honest certifications, NGOs and their supporters can work together to ensure that every step towards a better world for all counts.