Proud to be Named a 2021 Best for the World B Corp
- Alyssa Hardbower
- July 14, 2021
- 7 Minute Read
Woohoo! We made the list!
We are so excited to announce that Southern Energy Management (SEM), has been named a 2021 B Corp Best For The World honoree in recognition of our environmental performance and sustainable business practices!
This is the 4th year that Southern Energy Management has been recognized for the Best for the World award in the environment category. We are extra pleased to make the list again by continuing to lead the change to improve how people make and use energy — with solar power and building performance.
Previously, this honor was awarded to companies ranking in the top 10% of all B Corps for their environmental responsibility. The 2021 program requirements are now more competitive, recognizing only those within the top 5%! We are in good company in the 2021 Best for the World Environment category, including A to Z Wineworks, Aslan Brewing Company, Dr. Bronner’s, Herb Pharm, Hopworks Uban Brewery, McCarty Family Farms, Seventh Generation, SunCommon, and W.S. Badger Co, who also made the list!
What is the Best for the World designation?
The Best for the World recognition is administered by B Lab, the global nonprofit network that certifies and mobilizes Certified B Corporations, which are for-profit companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Today there are more than 4,000 Certified B Corporations across 77 countries and 153 industries, unified by one common goal: transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. Learn More!
“Best for the World is a special program for the B Corp community, and we’re thrilled to resume it after pausing the program in 2020 due to COVID-19,” said Juan Pablo Larenas, Executive Director of B Lab Global. “This year’s Best for the World companies are operating at the very top of their class, excelling in creating positive impact for their stakeholders, including their workers, communities, customers and the environment. We’re proud of the community of stakeholder-driven businesses we’ve cultivated over the last 15 years; together we’re marching toward our collective vision of an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet.”
More than 800 B Corps from more than 50 countries were named to the 2021 Best for the World lists, including KeepCup, Natura, TOMS, Too Good To Go, and Patagonia. The 2021 Best for the World lists are determined based on the verified B Impact Assessments of Certified B Corporations. The full lists are available on https://bcorporation.net/.
Better Together
When it comes down to it, a large part of why we’ve been named one of The Best is because our SHINE Tribe of customers, partners, advocates, and team members have chosen to be best for the environment and our world! Thank you to all who are seeking solutions and leading the change with us!
*Queue teary-eyed award speech*
Check out the environmental impact our awesome team and SHINE Tribe accomplished together in 2020:
18,828 families making clean energy and using energy more efficiently in 2020
12,240 equivalent cars taken off the road through our solar power and home efficiency services
787 pounds of waste diverted from the landfill by composting with CompostNow and upcycling with TerraCycle at our office
“We are so proud that SEM has been recognized as a Best for the World company for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s recognition is especially meaningful since the criteria have become even more strident. Being in the top 5% of B Corps in terms of the environment is proof that the SEM team is fulfilling our mission to Lead the Change. In addition to helping our customers to improve the way they make and use energy, our team also works hard to walk the talk by closely managing the environmental impact of our daily operations.”
— Bob & Maria Kingery, Co-Founders, Southern Energy Management
Home Efficiency Services
Helping builders construct healthy & efficient homes
72,722,343 kWh avoided home energy use from helping builders create more efficient homes
101 homes rated for building performance and efficiency measures in 1 Day!
11 net-zero electric homes built
Solar Services
Helping homeowners and businesses save money and take control of their power by generating clean energy
4,160 kW of solar power installed in 2020
15 North Carolina businesses & non-profits went solar with SEM in 2020
55.5 kW solar system installed on our office in Raleigh
Community Sustainability Services
Helping developers create healthier and more efficient buildings through custom green building & energy efficiency solutions
8,454 energy efficient apartments certified in 2020
2,839 affordable housing units built to above-code efficiency standards
The equivalent carbon savings of 76 trees planted per family from avoided home energy use
“Crescent Communities recognizes the increasingly important role that we as developers play in the reduction of carbon emissions and mitigation of climate change. Understanding the tremendous environmental impact created by the built environment, we know that in order to build prosperous and healthy communities within the ecological limits of our planet, it is essential to tackle climate change with disciplined and thoughtful development. We have adopted environmental sustainability principles, practices, and processes to both sustain the environment and support thriving economies.”
— Lisa Richards, Crescent Communities, Southern Energy Management Partner Since 2013
Being the best doesn't stop here!
As we look ahead toward celebrating SEM’s 20th anniversary this Fall, there’s still plenty on our to-do list for how we can be even better for our world and community — Never Settle is one of our core values after all! Here are a few things we’ve got in the works, stay tuned for more on these projects!
- Expanding solar opportunities within our community by partnering with the Rotary Club of East Chapel Hill and Habitat for Humanity of Orange County
- Supporting Project Pando’s mission to provide access to free trees, refurbish the biodiversity of our community, and create an open-source blueprint for others to join the tree planting movement
- Empowering future changemakers by contributing to the new student scholarship endowment for underrepresented undergraduate students in the Sustainable Technologies for the Built Environment program at Appalachian State University.
Want to be the best together?
We’re always excited to help others reach their sustainability goals! Let us know what your sights are set on and how we can build a better world together.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a free assessment to learn more about solar power & battery storage for your home.
About Us
North Carolina’s solar power and building performance expert. Founded in 2001, we’ve worked for 20+ years to improve the way people make and use energy.
