Responsible Lobbying Policy
What counts as lobbying?
We recognise that ‘lobbying’ and ‘advocacy’ mean the same thing. In alignment with the B Corp Standards, we consider our company to be engaging in lobbying if we (or someone acting on our behalf) does any of the following:
Communicates directly or indirectly with public officials or policymakers to influence public decision-making.
Tries to influence public opinion (beyond normal advertising) in order to shape public decision-making, such as future regulations.
Works through a trade association, chamber of commerce, professional body, think tank, or lobbyist to do either of the above.
Our Mission & Purpose
We exist to help as many businesses as possible become a force for good because we recognise the collective social and environmental changes our world needs
We support businesses to create positive social and environmental impact for workers, customers, communities and the natural environment, while building resilient and commercially successful organisations.
Through affordable education, peer learning and collaborative action, we aim to strengthen inclusive local economies and contribute to a fairer, healthier and more sustainable future across Sussex, London and beyond.
Our lobbying activities
We embrace our role as a business operating as a force for good and may take part in lobbying activity. This will only ever be towards positive social and environmental impact aligned with our mission and purpose.
This applies to all aspects of Sussex Impact Pathway activity including meetings, collective action, communications and campaigns.
Our thought leadership and collective action has a role in advancing positive social and environmental impact.
We are a member of Brighton Chamber and recognise that they may take part in lobbying on our behalf. We have contacted the Chamber directly and are satisfied that any lobbying they take part in is not counter to our mission and purpose.
We continue to monitor this through attendance at AGMs. If this changes, for example if the business community took a position on fair employment or tax that was counter to the B Corp principles, we would raise the issue with the Chamber and revisit our membership if the conflict could not be resolved.
Sussex Impact Pathway is not aligned with any political party. Campaign and lobbying action will be solely based advancing our mission and purpose. We make no donations to political campaigns or support any political candidates or parties. We are cautious not to use policy issues to state support of any particular political party.
We are a supporter of Sussex Bay and take a particular interest in blue nature restoration across the region.
Evidence based impact
Any collective action, lobbying or campaign involvement will be agreed at a founder meeting and must be aligned with the B Corp Standards. Thought leadership will be aligned with our purpose and our role as a B Corp consultancy.
We recognise and value the contribution our work makes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals but especially Goal 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Our work as a supporter of Sussex Bay also contributes to Goal 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Our role is to support the work of Sussex Bay based on the evidence and research in their blueprint for nature restoration.
Reviewing this policy
Our Co-Founder Ella Turner is responsible for monitoring and review of this policy which is agreed annually at a Founders meeting.
Raising a concern
Any concerns about our lobbying activity can be sent to use via the contact page on the website. We have an open culture and welcome feedback. Any concerns or complaints will be considered in good faith and discussed in a founders meeting.
