The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN)

is an organization of business leaders committed to changing the way the world does business.  Once known as the RBA (Responsible Business Association), the SBN changed its name in 2006 to reflect the growing consensus that, in order to survive and thrive, businesses must minimize the impact that their activities have on natural systems.

The SBN has 18-years of experience in bringing business leaders together along with others interested in topics such as business ethics, the multiple-stakeholder model, and sustainable workplaces to share information and take action.  Today we are building on that history in a new, intense effort to make significant progress toward a sustainable world.  We are extremely lucky to have one of the leaders of the movement, Laury Hammel, as our CEO.  For more information on Laury, please see here.  Laury and his team are expanding our programs in order to maximize our ability to reach out and impact businesses in Greater Boston. SBN continues to welcome for-profits, business non-profits, cooperatives and individuals to join in supporting this important work.

SBN is a member of a network of organizations across the U.S. and Canada called the Business Alliance for Local living Economies (BALLE), which promotes business practices that support the needs of all stakeholders.  

SBN programs include:

Local First Campaigns

SBN has played an important role in seeding Local First campaigns in the Greater Boston area.  Cambridge Local First and Worcester Local First are strong, thriving networks and many others, such as Somerville Local First and Arlington Local First are gaining major momentum.

The Sustainable Business Leader Program (SBLP)

The SBLP is a technical assistance program to designed help small- and mid-sized businesses improve their environmental practices and decrease their carbon footprint.  The program includes an initial assessment, the creation of an action plan, implementation assistance, and verification over a 12-month period.  There is also a strong peer-to-peer learning component, including regularly scheduled workshops and roundtables.  SBLP is currently underway with 27 businesses in Boston, and will soon be expanding to other communities.  SBLP also works with individual businesses, providing technical assistance with projects such as solar installations and improving information technology energy efficiency. For more information on SBLP, please visit the website.

SBN Roundtable

Business owners committed to sustainability are invited to join one of our SBN roundtables.  At these monthly meetings, entrepreneurs are able to share in a confidential environment their triumphs and tribulations as they seek to achieve a triple-bottom line for their businesses.  

International Symposium on Spirituality and Business

SBN is an active co-sponsor of this annual event.  March 23 will be the 10th symposium, which is sponsored by Babson College.  This event features successful business leaders who place values at the forefront of managing their business.

Annual New England Conference on Socially Responsible Business

For almost 20 years, SBN and its predecessors have hosted the longest-running local conference on socially responsible business. This year's conference will again focus on sustainability and features well-known and innovative business, government, and nonprofit leaders who are working to make a more sustainable and just world.

Educational Programs

SBN/RBA has a long history of providing cutting edge educational programs addressing critical issues of our time. Our annual program with Boston College is just one of the many programs we hold each year to bring to light the new, innovative business practices that will help change the world.

Specific Programs and Suburban Community Programs

SBN is moving forward on creating specific action teams of members who have a particular program that moves us toward a sustainable economy.  We welcome SBN members to start an action team that will promote sustainability.  SBN is also organizing businesses in various suburban communities -- for example, a group of Metrowest businesses is in the process of formation.

Join SBN

By being a member of SBN, you are supporting the important work of building a strong business community committed to economic justice and sustainability.  The benefits include:

1.  Complimentary or discounted SBN programs

2.  Listing on the home page of our website

3.  Listing in our online Marketplace directory

4.  Being a part of a sustainable community of businesses in Greater Boston

Please encourage your friends and associates to join SBN today and help us build this important community.  It's a real value and it's easy to join by completing the application either online or on paper.