A lot of people and businesses want to help the earth. However, at times it can be challenging to pinpoint exactly how. That’s why Cohabs is over the moon to become a B Corp Certified company.

Let’s dive into the details of what being a certified B Corporation really entails. 

What exactly is B Corp?

Certified B Corps meet B Lab’s high standards for social and environmental impact, making a clear commitment to stakeholder governance, and demonstrating accountability and transparency.

B Corps are for-profit, mission-driven companies that seek to balance purpose and profit while boldly reimagining the role that business plays in society.

[B Lab ®](https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/) is the nonprofit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. 
This international network of organizations leads economic systems change to support a collective vision of an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.

By harnessing the power of business, B Lab positively impacts more than 161 industries in more than 93 countries, helping them balance profit with purpose. They are shifting our economic system from profiting only a few to benefiting all, from concentrating wealth and power to ensuring equity, from extraction to regeneration, and from prioritizing individualism to embracing interdependence.

[B Corp Certification](https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/cohabs/) does not mean that we are perfect, nor that we have achieved the highest impact possible. 

What does B Corp Certification mean?

What it does mean is that Cohabs is now part of a global community of businesses working collectively for economic systems change. In order to stay committed to this work, we must meet the rising standards for social and environmental performance. 

After deciding to go for certification through B Lab, Cohabs got access to the [B Impact Assessment tool](https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/programs-and-tools/b-impact-assessment/), which included many questions divided into five categories: **Governance, Workers, Environment, Community, and Customers.** In order to achieve certification you need to obtain at least 80 points. 

*Looking to become B Corp Certified yourself?* [Read more here.](https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification/)

Since our founding in 2016, we’ve been on a mission to shape a better tomorrow by improving the way we live today. 

A core principle of coliving is to share resources, from household appliances to shared spaces, all of which have a significant impact on energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Cohabs’ impact from day one

Cohabs also chooses to renovate old buildings in fairly poor condition, instead of building from scratch, which has a much better impact on the environment while improving the energy efficiency of old buildings. 

Our vision of impact is based on two pillars: People & Planet. 

People because we have a very strong effect on an entire ecosystem: our employees, our suppliers, our members, but also society in general. That's why, almost 3 years ago, we opened solidarity rooms, accessible to people with refugee status who have access to all our facilities and services at a reduced price.

We also organize [ monthly events with our community](https://cohabs.com/community), and around ten of them are solidarity events: cooking for homeless people, clothing collection for people in need, Christmas gift distribution, and more. 

Solidarity is also an important part of Cohabs' values and we try our best to keep our community informed and create opportunities for them to give back. We also have the "Planet" pillar, which mainly impacts the way we renovate our homes, and make our members aware of the need to consume less energy. 

For example, our [Ma Campagne 232](https://cohabs.com/cities/brussels/houses/ma-campagne-232) house was a project to spearhead the use of sustainable materials and processes across the entire renovation and design process. 

We try to insulate all our projects as much as possible. We have also installed devices for pressure reduction for showers and taps in all our homes and installed solar panels on all houses where possible, enabling us to reduce our energy consumption by almost 16% by the end of 2022. 

**Interested in learning more? [Discover our 2023 Impact report](https://a.storyblok.com/f/140016/x/5a157332b4/cohabs_impact_report_2023.pdf)!**

Today, our main challenge is to continue improving the way we renovate our homes, and to replicate this internationally, as we are growing fast. 

Our recent B Corp Certification is a way to measure our impact and have guidelines with high standards in order to improve our governance and impact on people and the planet.

What are our next steps as a B Corp?

As [Cohabs](https://cohabs.com/) continues to expand and grow, being a Certified B Corporation will help us ensure we are taking the right steps to remain a business that looks out for all people, communities, and the planet.

Cohabs is now B Corp Certified

By sharing resources instead of living in individual studios or apartments, our members drastically decrease their carbon footprint. The core of coliving is sharing a space as well as utilities and assets. By bringing a small community into a home, coliving encourages sharing or swapping so that nothing has to go to waste. Our members share resources as well as energy, and in this way coliving reduces more than half the carbon emission per household. When people share the same roof, it is inevitable that pieces of their life will meld together, whether it’s a simple meal, or transportation to work.

Coliving is a more sustainable lifestyle

The CO2 impact of a renovation is lower than building a house from scratch. We renovate large buildings in poor condition and we innovate every day to find as many environmentally friendly materials and processes as possible. Breathing new life into forgotten, discarded, and crumbling spaces is a great way to cut down on impact.

We renovate old houses instead of building new ones

So far, 9 of our houses in Brussels produce their own electricity! For every house we renovate, we run a study and install solar panels wherever possible. In a single year, our solar panels produce 32 978,5 kWh, which covers the electricity consumption of 6 of our houses per year. We also rely partially on renewable energy to reduce our emissions and promote responsible energy consumption.

We create our own energy!

We love giving a second life to objects and furniture! Furnishing our homes with second-hand items and refurbished furniture is much more sustainable. In this way, we can avoid buying products that are harmful to the environment and poorly made so that they fall apart after a single use. Our homes and all the furniture and decor that go inside are designed with intention and with longevity in mind.

Using up-cycled or second-hand furniture

Another way we’re able to reduce a negative impact on the planet is by tracking our consumption. We’ve partnered with Shayp and installed their smart device on our water meters to detect leaks remotely. We also collaborate closely with Tapio, a startup specializing in carbon emission calculation and reduction strategy. In addition to monitoring our resources, we meticulously select local and sustainable suppliers who help us choose more responsible materials. We make sure our houses are equipped with sustainable home appliances: - The latest boilers and outdoor sensors so the central heating only turns on when it’s cold outside
- A rainwater harvesting system
- Smart energy monitoring tools such as temperature controllers
- The Shayp intelligent water-monitoring system alerts us when there’s a potential leak
- Motion sensor detectors for the lights in common areas
- Low-flow shower heads in all our showers. On top of that, 100% of our houses that can support solar panels are equipped with them to create their own energy.

We monitor our water and electricity consumption

We offset our CO2 footprint by supporting three projects with the highest levels of environmental positive impact and integrity. Cohabs is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, an initiative that funds environmental nonprofits worldwide to accelerate smart environmental giving. Launched in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet has quickly become a global movement. The idea is simple: everyone gives 1% of their revenue or time to help protect the natural resources they benefit from. 

To achieve that, 1% for the Planet connects their 3000+ members with high-impact nonprofit partners that align with their values and add to their brand story. Cohabs officially become one of those members in 2021, by committing to donate 1% of our annual sales revenue to the organization.

We support projects that reduce carbon emissions

Being more sustainable is a group effort. We do our best when renovating and decorating our houses, but one thing that makes the largest difference is how our members actually live in them. We regularly organize solidarity and sustainability events for our members and we always try to collaborate with local and ethical producers for these events. We promote sustainable products and make sure our members always feel empowered and inspired. We’re stronger together, and every little bit counts. Here are some small things to do that can create a big impact: 1. 



Control the temperature and always keep heating at 3 or 4 maximum
2. Turn off the heater when not home or when the window is open
3. Run the laundry machine and dishwasher during the night as it consumes way less
4. Don’t run hot water for longer than needed; just one minute can consume 12 liters of water
5. Turn the lights off when a room is not in use! One of our key values is to reduce the impact we have on the planet. We are unfortunately living through one of the most dire global crises our world has witnessed. The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly severe, and the consequences will be irreversible if we do not act now. This is not a question of knowledge or desire; we absolutely have to do better, and be better. For ourselves and for our world. This is a team effort, and we can’t do it without our members. 
Every little thing counts, and if everyone comes together and pitches in to do their part, our environmental impact on the planet and can be reduced.

We encourage our members to be more sustainable

Impact at Cohabs

By sharing resources instead of living in individual studios or apartments, our members drastically decrease their carbon footprint.

1. Coliving is, by definition, more sustainable

The CO2 impact of a renovation is lower than building a house from scratch. We renovate large buildings in poor condition and we innovate every day to find as many environmentally friendly materials and processes as possible.

2. We don’t build new houses, we renovate old ones

So far, 9 of our houses in Brussels produce their own electricity! For every house we renovate, we run a study and install solar panels wherever possible. In a single year, our solar panels produce 32 978,5 kWh, which covers the electricity consumption of 6 of our houses per year. Our goal is to have 100% of our eligible roofs equipped with solar panels by 2023.

3. We install solar panels on as many houses as possible

We love giving a second life to objects and furniture! Furnishing our homes with second-hand items and refurbished furniture is much more sustainable.

4. Most of our furniture is up-cycled or bought second-hand

Being more sustainable is a group effort. We do our best when renovating and decorating our houses, but what really makes the difference is how our members actually live in them.

5. We organize green workshops and challenges with our members

We've partnered with Shayp and installed their smart device on our water meters to detect leaks remotely. We also collaborate closely with Tapio, a startup specializing in carbon emission calculation and reduction strategy. In addition to monitoring our resources, we meticulously select local and sustainable suppliers who help us choose more responsible materials.

6. We monitor our water and electricity consumption

We offset our CO2 footprint by supporting three projects with the highest levels of environmental positive impact and integrity. Cohabs is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, an initiative that funds environmental nonprofits around the world to accelerate smart environmental giving.

7. We support projects that reduce carbon emissions

And we'll keep trying to reduce our impact every single day.

Today is Earth Day!

Project 1

Betulia Hydroelectric Project in Honduras

Betulia’s small hydropower project with social reforestation programs, nature conservation, improvement of local infrastructure and job creation, is reforming native people’s lives in Honduras. Impact: This small run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant provides renewable energy to the national grid (displacing traditional fossil-fuelled power plants), improving the quality of electricity for local communities in the department of Colon. Improved access to electricity also reduces the dependency on wood fuel, helping to reduce deforestation pressure in the local environment.

Project 2

50% for Vincent de Paul and 50% for Wind power in India

Provide a better life for disadvantaged people in Belgium by helping them out of social isolation and poverty, by providing food, clothing and a place to live. Furthermore, they also have educational and recreational programs for children. Impact: Equality of learning at school. Reducing inequalities and helping disadvantaged people.

Vincent de Paul

The project consists of 50 Wind Turbines at 2.0 MW each generating clean electricity. The goal behind this project is to generate clean energy and positively impact the lives of local communities. Impact: Improving the quality of life in the project's vicinity.

Wind power in India

Project 3

50% for Caritas and 50% for Solar power in India

In Belgium, Caritas provides a humane and personalised response to the migration-journey of each person and defends the rights of migrants and refugees. Impact: Raise awareness on themes related to migration and asylum seekers.

Caritas

This project uses photovoltaic technology to capture energy from the sun, helping to improve the energy mix In India. The project demonstrates the viability of grid connected solar farms to support improved air quality, alternative sustainable energy futures, energy security, improved local livelihoods and sustainable renewable energy industry development in the southern region of India. Impact: Improving the quality of life in the project's vicinity.

Solar power in India

How we offset our CO2 footprint

At Cohabs, our purpose is to shape a better tomorrow by improving the way we live today.

Our houses give people with similar intentions, interests, and values the possibility to share spaces and create memories. As such, we can promote a sense of community within the individuals living with us and contribute to a much larger cause too: our planet.

By 2030, there will be 1.2 billion[1] more of us and about three in four will be living in the city. This means our planet will be under even more pressure than today. Urban space is getting scarce, the cost of housing is rising, as the carbon footprint, and resources are going down. Meanwhile, there are many old-style houses that aren’t being used —or at least not to their full potential. This is why we believe in building a better tomorrow from our point of view. Resurrecting forgotten places to bring life to them again. 
Every house is a new chapter of our story.

The sustainable city

The better use of space in a coliving house, the lower demand for resources, and the higher potential to be flexible with people’s needs. Coliving spaces can help reduce carbon emissions and lower the demand for material in its construction by removing useless space and supports more sustainable urban living through the sense of community. We’re not only talking about sharing resources here but also working together to create more sustainable activities such as urban gardening or composting. Because to truly move the coliving concept to a sustainable level, it’s necessary to create awareness and consciousness.

The future of living

We at Cohabs try to use as few resources as we
can and limit our environmental impact in every way possible. Among other
things, we make sure our houses have sustainable appliances: - Solar panels (on six of our houses, since some of the roofs are not adapted),
- Smart energy monitoring tools such as temperature controllers,
- Motion sensor detectors for the lights and,
- Water controllers in our shower
- Intelligent water monitoring with Shayp

How we build a better tomorrow

On top of that, most of our furniture is bought on the second-hand market, a great way to stylishly furnish your home in a more sustainable way. Plus, we want to surround ourselves with pieces that spark conversation, celebrate craftsmanship and bring soul to spaces. Some of our members grow their own vegetables and herbs —just look at Chatelain 27, Ambiorix 55 or Louise 86 and 88 — and most of them compost their waste. All our members receive a Welcome Pack in the form of a tote bag containing a water bottle, recycled pen, and more —things that will stay with them, even after their stay with us.

Throughout the houses you’ll find several wooden panels to educate our members about, among other things, sustainable living. On top of that, we organize ‘green events’ such as zero waste workshops or online video workshops, and share articles and tips & tricks about the topic in our Cohabs mobile App. Our members can also order a ‘Green Pack’, containing everything you need to live a sustainable daily life —think a solid shampoo bar, solid soap bar, eco-friendly and socially-responsible toothpaste, a bamboo toothbrush, a reusable bamboo cotton bud and other ‘green’ goods.

Our coliving spaces already share essential resources such as gas and electricity. By sharing these resources, we can reduce energy consumption and ensure a reduced carbon footprint. But we want to do more! That’s why we’re auditing our several houses to calculate and further reduce our carbon footprint by for example using new materials or designing our common spaces differently.

Let’s go for carbon-neutral

Our objective: become carbon -neutral as soon as possible.

[1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_10_532

Sustainable living for a better tomorrow

You probably already know, but organic food is what we had before the invention of synthetic fertilizers in the early 20th century. Most food nowadays is produced with pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, GMOs, etc. so in the 1980s, some farmers starting using practices that respected the environment more. The four principles of organic farming were born: - Health (for people and planet)
- Ecology (working with nature and not against it)
- Fairness (making sure everyone gets a piece of the pie)
- Care (long term planning to ensure sustainability)
- The European logo: Organic Food in the EU is certified with it.It’s not a perfect embodiment of the four principles, but it helps consumers avoid scams and it builds trust.

But first, what’s organic food?

Products with the logo on are pretty much free of pesticides (which reduces your risk of cancer, brain damage, and other diseases). Organic meat also guarantees some animal welfare standards and ensures they’re not pumped full of chemicals (who wants a steak full of antibiotics anyway?) I think you can also taste the difference (and studies back me up), but you can always try it and debate it! Organic farming isn’t as land-efficient, taking 15-25% more space, but they’re getting better every year.

Okay, I’m not going to lie; it’s going to cost you more to eat organic, but it won’t cost as much as you might think, depending on where you go and what you buy. I’ve spent a lot of time checking prices at different places selling organic food around Brussels and have created a few guidelines for you. The big supermarket chains sell organic food for a lot more than non-organic. If you buy all your organic food here, you’ll pay 90% more than non-organic! Organic meat costs much more compared to non-organic. 

The organic shops (I’ve listed a few later on) come in
second place in terms of organic food cost. The cheapest places are the organic markets, like the Marché des Tanneurs, where you’ll pay on average 45% more for your organic food.

What about budget?

The short answer is no. Organic products end up with more or less the same carbon footprint as non-organic, except organic fruit, which is a bit better. But, you can reduce your carbon food-print. Beef is the worst offender when it comes to emissions, and a typical Belgian eats 15-20 kilos of the stuff every year (the French eat even more). Cheese and Chocolate are the other big emitters, so maybe you want to cut down on the Camembert or pralines. The average person creates 9.2 tons of CO2, (the equivalent of driving your car 92,000 km) of which 2.4 tons comes from food… and specifically 2 tons from meat, eggs, and dairy. 

But cutting out just beef would cut your food emissions in half. The EU is aiming to cut 20% off agricultural emissions by 2030, but kicking our steak addiction is surely much easier! So what’s the take-home message?

What about the carbon footprint of organic food? Is eating organic better?

Henri

Eat organic for the taste, and the health benefits, but if you want to cut your emissions, cut out the beef products (and you can keep eating cheese).

These shops also aim to be zero waste, so bring your tote bag and reusable containers to fill up with everything from nuts and raisins to wine (bring your own bottle):

Fancy trying organic food? Here are some of my top places to buy organic food

The Bulk store is perfect for the Flagey houses. Bulk is a family-run outfit, where you can find your standard crates of locally-grown fruit and veg, as well as sundries ranging from figs to cookies in little jars… and eggs a plenty! Bulk also stock gluten-free and special dietary foods, as well as vegan hygiene products. Bulk, Rue Malibran 40, Ixelles

Bulk

Bio C’Bon and The Barn Bio Market are ideal if you live in the Louise or Chatelain coliving houses. Both Bio C’Bon and the Barn can be described as “organic supermarkets”. Both have stores across Brussels, and both take a zero-waste approach to shopping. Don’t forget your bags for nuts and cereal, nor your bottle to fill up with organic wine! You can also order online! Bio C’Bon, chaussée de Charleroi 18, Saint-Gilles Barn Bio Market, chaussée de Charleroi 92, Ixelles

Bio C' Bon and The Barn Bio Market

SuperMonkey is located just next to the Cohabs Horta and Ma Campagne houses. They’ll sell you an organic ultra-local beer, pasta from futuristic dispensers, and edible flowers (sometimes). Not sure what to cook? Their facebook page is full of recipes that use seasonal products as well as vegan and gluten-free options! Super Monkey, rue de Tamines 18/22, Saint-Gilles

SuperMonkey

The Marché des Tanneurs is just a few minutes’ walk from the Parvis houses and Stephanie 108. The Marché des Tanneurs feels like a proper market should. Big boxes of Fruit and Veg a-plenty! They focus on short value-chains, which means they can keep their prices low. Check out one of their videos here! The Marché des Tanneurs, rue des Tanneurs 58, Bruxelles

The Marché des Tanneurs

The Roots Store is just next to Ambiorix and Schuman Roots is supported by the Brussels circular economy program (http://circulareconomy.brussels), so you can trust that they know their stuff. Here you can find all the usual organic food, as well as locally farmed meat, and innovative products (an indestructible sponge, anyone?) to lighten your eco-footprint. The Roots Store, Avenue Michel-Ange 55, Bruxelles

The Roots Store

Beescoop isn’t too far from Botanique, just like Les Idées a la Pelle. Beescoop is a co-operative, but not as you know it. The shop is run as a not-for-profit enterprise, keeping costs low and allowing you to access quality, local produce. If you have some time on your hands you can even sign-up to work shifts there! Beescoop, rue Van Hove 19, Schaerbeek

Beescoop

Les Idées à la Pelle, is your standard organic shop, with a twist. They work with too good to go https://toogoodtogo.be/ to put together packs of fruit and veg which need using quickly, for a reduced price. Pick up a bargain basket and stop food waste… sounds delicious! Les Idées à la Pelle, avenue Louis Bertrand 25, Bruxelles

Les Idées à la Pelle

Färm also has shops all over town, so you’ll probably find one on your way to work! Their motto is “change the world by eating”, so you’d imagine it’s local, organic and zero-waste... well you’d be right! Their meat and cheese counters will also leave your mouth watering. Luckily you can also buy freshly made ready-to-eat meals on the spot! Färm, Avenue Rogier 383, Bruxelles

Färm

Organic Food without breaking the bank

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