Scaling Sustainability Data Collection: An IT Perspective

As sustainability reporting becomes mandatory across jurisdictions, many organizations still rely on spreadsheets, manual entries, and fragmented systems to track sustainability data. This slows reporting, increases errors, drains time from already stretched teams, and limits the ability to make informed decisions.

Technology provides a better path. Automating data collection through IoT sensors, ERP systems, and supplier platforms, combined with central dashboards and visualisation tools, can:

1. Reduce manual input errors.
2. Provide a single source of truth for stakeholders.
3. Improve data accuracy, transparency and consistency.
4. Generate insights that support strategic decisions.
    

Still, digital solutions bring challenges. Integrating sustainability data into existing systems can be complex.. Weak system controls risk inaccurate disclosures, while greater reliance on technology raises cyber and data privacy concerns.

The goal is to balance, leveraging technology to scale reporting while ensuring strong governance, controls, and security. By starting small and building capacity, organizations can move beyond compliance and unlock real strategic value.

• Designing and implementing technology-enabled solutions and operating models to accelerate ESG and climate data management and analytics.
  
• Manage IT risk and compliance by: 
  • Providing independent assessments of system controls.
  • Performing cyber maturity assessments, vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

Sustainability data is scaling fast. The real question: can stakeholders trust it? Technology reduces errors, but strong governance and independent assurance are what turn numbers into credibility.