From rethinking B Corp standards to reshaping business-as-usual, the past 12 months have been a period of powerful evolution for B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand (B Lab AANZ) and the B Corp movement across the region.
Reflecting the determination and momentum that defines our movement, B Lab AANZ’s Annual Report 2024/25 tells a story of businesses embracing complexity, owning their impact, and showing that a better way is possible, even when the world feels increasingly turbulent.
With powerful community stories and fresh data across programs and public awareness, this year’s report reflects on how far we’ve come, and sets the stage for what’s next. Want to see how we’re raising the business bar?
The big picture
This year, the B Corp movement in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand continued to build its influence:
- B Corps in AANZ generating a combined total revenue of $24.5B (AUD) / $27B (NZD) to the local economy
- 748 B Corps in our region (573 in Australia, 175 in Aotearoa)
- 90 companies recertifying their commitment to business as a force for good
- 56,500 employees now work with a B Corp in our region
- Awareness of B Corp Certification rose from 18% to 21% in Australia and from 15% to 22% in Aotearoa
- 60+ events and record reach throughout March for B Corp Month
- 85+ events hosted by B Lab AANZ and the sprawling network of B Locals, sparking conversations and connection across the region
Bringing the new standards to life
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest moments of the year was the launch of B Lab’s new global standards — the most significant evolution since the movement began. Years in the making, and shaped by more than 16,000 pieces of feedback, the standards not only raise the bar for business performance, but also enable companies to lead with courage and align their impact with global regulatory compliance, using evidence-based practices that benefit all stakeholders.
B Lab’s new standards centre impact, clarity, and accountability, and now every certified business will need to demonstrate year-on-year improvement. While the path won’t look the same for everyone, the direction of travel is clear: better business, boldly delivered.
Learn more about the new standards.
Stories that stick
Through the process of putting together the Annual Report 2024/25, we get the enviable opportunity to delve deeper into the real stories of impact from across the region.
This year, we spotlight the Common Good film series, featuring two innovative Australian B Corps: Who Gives A Crap and DB Results. We celebrate the fresh energy brought by new B Corps, including: ELK with its take-back and resale circularity initiative; Blackmores’ transition to renewable energy across all major sites; Funlab’s mission to play their way to purpose; and Wisewool’s revival of regenerative wool.
In the report, you’ll also hear from recertifying B Corps like Boody, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited and Emma Lewisham about their journey of continuous improvement. B Lab AANZ CEO, Andrew Davies, shares how B Corps are staying the course in divisive times, and Board Co-Chairs Mele-Ane Havea and Alex Hannant, offer their insights on what it means to govern for justice, equity, and transparency.
What happens next
As the pages of the Annual Report 2024/25 show, this is a time of significant evolution not only for the B Corp movement, but for the world. In many ways, these are times of increasing polarisation and pushback, and brave leadership matters more than ever.
To make sure B Corps can keep leading the way, B Lab AANZ is creating new opportunities for advocacy and collective action, amplifying awareness through campaigns like our new Better Business ads, and investing in events, programs and training that support impact at every stage of the journey.
The challenges we face are complex. But they’re not insurmountable — not when we work, and act, together. The new B Lab standards give us the structure. The community gives us the momentum. And the stories give us the substance. Together, let’s raise the bar.
In addition to this extraordinary community, this report was made possible thanks to: the B Lab AANZ team; the B Lab AANZ Board and B Council; contributing B Corps, both new and recertifying alike; as well as our dedicated content and design partners: Collective Objective and CARMEN GET IT!
