5.7 Validate efforts using established third-party certifications

Materials: Medium
Energy: Medium
Water: Medium
Emissions: Medium

Obtain and maintain third-party certifications to externally validate progress toward sustainability goals.

Obtaining certifications: Machine-testable
Obtain one or more sustainability certifications and incorporate operational policies and practices in alignment with their guidance.
Maintaining certifications: Human-testable
Maintains sustainability certifications through continuing to meet their criteria and evolving policies and practices over time.

Economic
Certifications, vetted for conflicts of interest, can operationalize sustainability principles and verify and endorse levels of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Operations
Obtaining third-party sustainability certifications can make it easier for organizations to align operational practices with their mission, vision, and values, and communicate this to their affected parties.