Data management is the key to effective sustainability reporting

Abstract

When looking at a triple bottom line or sustainability report, it is easy to assume that the graphs and data presented have been fully analysed and effectively audited to ensure that figures are valid and accurate. Experience indicates that this is not necessarily the case and it often takes some time to achieve a fully verifiable and accurate result. Data collection and management processes using modern software and Internet based systems can provide a highly effective method for processing sustainability data.Energetics has been working with several industrial and large commercial organizations to help manage energy and greenhouse data for sustainability and triple bottom line reporting. Three recent examples of this work include:A property management group using sustainability reporting to meet investor demandsGovernment organizations meeting energy/greenhouse targetsAn industrial group producing triple bottom line reports for all divisions around the worldReporting requirements for sustainability are still evolving and stakeholders are asking for more and more detail about environmental, social and financial performance. How can a company provide high levels of data accuracy and turn this reporting into a competitive edge?Data management systems or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems provide strong financial data management tools but they are often very limited in tracking social and environmental data. This has spurred the growth of separate data management systems to manage energy and environmental data.This paper draws on experiences in the management of energy and greenhouse data and applies this to the evolving field of sustainability data management.