Green Mission Statements

Craft Your Green Mission Statement

You don’t need to be an environmental organization to care about sustaining a healthy future for your organization’s mission.   

Just, equitable, and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis are known to us. The onus is on all of us to implement them. Writing your organization’s Green Mission Statement is one way to get started.

The Green Business Bureau encourages all businesses to create a “Green Mission Statement.”  I agree. I help organizations through the 7 basic steps of writing an inspired statement that will forever change your business.

We’ll build your Green Mission Statement in 7 basic steps

  • Step 1: Who will draft the statement?

    Ultimately, your Green Mission Statement must be approved and adopted by the organization's leadership, typically the Board of Directors. I will help you identify and recruit a diverse and representative group of stakeholders who care about your mission to propose a statement for the Board to approve.

  • Step 2: Start with celebrating: What have you already done?

    We will identify what your organization is already doing to be more sustainable. Noticing what you are doing and making that work visible may also help you identify areas where you can improve.

  • Step 3: Think ahead: What might the future hold?

    We will explore how a changed climate over the next 10, 20, or 30 years will impact your organization’s long-term viability and mission impact. We will investigate what might happen should we take no action and identify better alternatives and the possible cost savings and positive benefits.

  • Step 4: Make it meaningful: In what ways is the goal of sustainability aligned with our mission, vision, and values?

    Discuss the organization’s mission, vision, and core values. Explore how sustainability goals and planning for the future align (or don’t) with your organization's mission, vision, and core values. You don’t need to be an environmental organization to care about sustaining a healthy future in your organization’s mission.

  • Step 5: Get specific: What actions would make the biggest difference

    Next, we will honestly assess where your organization uses the most carbon. We will consider sustainability measures you can take that would make the most significant positive impact on your mission or the constituents you serve. Finally, of all the things you could do, we will identify which are most aligned with your mission and values.

  • Step 6: Get real: What goals will you set?

    Now, I will help you commit to a specific set of actions. You’ll write your goals and share them publicly. We’ll finish with an inspiring statement using plain language that anyone can understand.

  • Step 7: Post your statement proudly and publicly.

    Once your statement is approved, I’ll help you with a communications plan. You can post it to your website, discuss it in newsletters, share it with donors and funders, and include reporting in your annual impact report. Engage and involve your constituents, donors, and stakeholders to inspire a deeper commitment to your organization’s overall mission.

Want more detail?

Please see my blog, including the post 7 Steps to Writing a Green Mission Statement with examples of sustainability mission statements.

How much does it cost?

It depends. Some organizations need only a one-time coaching call to build their Green Mission Statement. Other groups appreciate my facilitation with each step. Let’s talk about your needs and what would work best for you.