In this project, we provided Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance research data services to the client as per the Global Reporting Initiative standard for all major companies/corporates all over the world. We got our first client in 2019 and started with just 5 team members. The project was completed successfully and timely despite our team having no prior experience in the domain of technical & scientific research of ESG metrics.
Its primary solution is an end-to-end SaaS tool that can be used for automated sustainability analysis & reporting. It was facing challenges with ESG data management, particularly with data compilation from multiple disparate sources and subsequent data preparation to support the AI-based automated reporting tool in creating quick and effective sustainability reports.
This was a first-of-its-kind project for our data management team. We had no prior understanding of the project’s scope or experience in catering to ESG data requirements. The client did not share any training manual, SoP, or detailed instructions, only a sample report and a few multilingual data source URLs (from global organizations).
Finding specialized resources in the sustainability domain was the primary challenge, followed by creating processes and monitoring data quality to ensure delivery within the predetermined project timeline.
Assembling Resources
We conducted a preliminary analysis of the data sources and their involved scientific metrics and ESG standards in the industry. A detailed requirement document was created, and roles were defined. Accordingly, we hired science, finance, and technology graduates, environmental research experts, and a specialized resource with particular impact reporting experience to head the project. Every resource was vetted on their knowledge of international regulatory guidelines and global ESG reporting standards. We trained them adequately with the available information and as per the client’s needs.
Data Collection and Compilation
Our in-house data collection team is accustomed to handling multi-lingual data, hence comprehending the data sources was completed quickly. Additionally, we also covered the following data sources.
Data Research
We conducted the data research in three categories and provided reports accordingly to the client.
We collected quantitative data for the GHG - Greenhouse gas emissions, e.g., CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, HFC, and PFC, which are the most responsible factors that affect our environment along with other Air emissions, e.g., SOx, NOx, VOCs, PRTR, PM, etc., Water intake, Waste Generation by type and disposal methods, Water emissions (BOD, COD, NH3-N) and Energy Generation and Consumption for the companies worldwide on annual basis.
Required fields:We searched and analyzed quantitative data for employee strength. That included new hires, gender diversity (both in employment and in management), voluntary/involuntary exits, EHS training (both average and total), fatality rates, etc., for corporates. This research focused on companies' social responsibilities toward their employees’ welfare.
Required fields:We researched, analyzed, and collected qualitative data on various policies for companies, like Code of Conduct, Human Rights Policy, Anti-Corruption Policy, Environmental Policy, Policies on Water Conservation, GHG emissions, etc., that a company uses to run its operations.
Required fields:Our team compiled relevant data from multiple sources and produced an organized dataset with higher accessibility. We created the SoP for the project with the help of completed reports which the client approved and appreciated. The final dataset was analyzed for quality and accessibility, cleaned accordingly, and shared with the client.
After two years of successful outcomes with a team of 5–10 members, the client established a dedicated team of 35 members in their third year of association with us.
Get in touch with our team and share your project requirements at info@suntecdata.com.
.svg)