The industrial age offered economic benefits and product convenience to citizens around the globe. But the continued increase in industry pollution and waste is wreaking havoc on our ocean waters. To curb these effects, Oceanic Global began in 2017 as an international non-profit organization aimed at providing education and encouragement towards protecting the Earth’s oceans. Its mission has spread across individuals, communities and industries around the world and now has hubs in New York, London, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Tulum and Hong Kong. Now, Oceanic Global has launched a new standard for sustainable action that any business can strive to achieve.
Called the Blue Standard, this first-of-its-kind measurement for industry accountability provides businesses feedback about their environmental impact while it seeks to find balance between industry and nature. It measures activities such as the use of single-use plastics and encourages companies to make more sustainable choices.
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“Over 70% of our planet is covered by ocean, and while there are many standards and product labels built off of the notion of ‘going green,’ Oceanic Global is also the first-of-its-kind to look at the consumer goods industry’s impact on our marine environments and verifies brands’ efforts to protect the blue and all it sustains,” stated the company in a press release.
While the Blue Standard is technically a new program, it builds upon a long-standing program that has offered solutions for the obstacles in the way of sustainable behavior. Every industry can benefit from the measurement — from hospitality to music and event venues. Similarly, offices can achieve new levels of sustainability too. Not only is earth-friendly business better for the planet it’s good from a business perspective too. Oceanic Global realizes the impact these businesses have on the environment, but it also recognizes the immense power they have to reverse the damage.
Specifically, the Blue Standard identifies the impact of human activity on the ocean. It’s a process that starts with business leadership at every level and relies on the cooperation of the individual to achieve the goals set by the company. The Blue Standard makes it easier to measure and monitor changes in a tangible way.
“The health of our ocean is at a tipping point as is that of our collective well-being. Blue works to empower tangible action at all levels,” said Program Director of Oceanic Global Cassia Patel. “We developed Blue to inspire the people and communities that make up businesses and industries to take continued action for our blue planet, and to maximize the positive impact we can all create in our immediate spheres and beyond.”
The new Blue Standard was developed in collaboration with experts trained in WELL and LEED building certification criteria as well as Oceanic Global’s Scientific Advisory Board. The system actually has two product offerings. The first is a sustainability verification based on a three-star system. The second is product and packing seals that verify consumer goods are plastic-free.
To support the achievement of these goals, The Blue Standard offers educational guides and consultation every step of the way. In fact, the organization has developed customized and industry-specific programs. It also provides a list of vetted vendors and specially-packaged buying deals to make it easier for businesses to transition away from single-use plastic.
“To date the Blue Standard has verified the sustainability achievements of over 400+ international businesses across 26 countries ranging from the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, Citi Tower in Hong Kong, Habitas in Tulum, Mexico and all 19 Sandals Resorts International properties in the Caribbean, to Corona ExtraUSA, Bulleit distillery, House of Yes and Salesforce,” the nonprofit reports. “Leading sustainable brands, including Plaine Products, Raw Elements and Ball Aluminum Cups are also among the inaugural brands set to be awarded with Blue’s new Product and Packaging Seals.”
Oceanic Global goes on to explain that in addition to the problems with plastics, emissions and toxic chemicals from manufacturing, transport of goods and other human activities also affect the delicate balance of the ocean. The ocean covers an estimated 70% of our planet and plays an important role in regulating the climate, absorbing carbon from the air and producing oxygen. The marine ecosystem relies on humans behaving themselves on land so the ocean animals and plants can give back in turn.
“With businesses of all sizes increasingly adopting sustainable practices, we recognized both the need and the potential to create universal accountability for these efforts and for how they’re communicated to consumers,” said Lea d’Auriol, founder of Oceanic Global. “Our hope is that through empowering comprehensive commitments to sustainability and lasting systems change, the Blue Standard will work to create a new balance between industries and the natural world that sustains them.”
Images via Oceanic Global
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