According to a recent study, nearly 98% of companies now disclose some form of sustainability information. This is a clear signal that data-driven accountability has become the norm. Yet while reporting is widespread, many organizations still struggle to build the systems, workflows, and insights that translate raw data into strategy.
“We see so many sustainability teams spending the majority of their time wrestling with inefficient data management systems and trying to keep up with customer requests,” says Pinion sustainability advisor Louis DeMaso.
“With better systems and strategies, these teams can streamline reporting and shift their focus to driving progress.”
Strong sustainability data management doesn’t happen by chance — it’s built through intentional processes, collaboration, and a clear understanding of what the data is meant to achieve. By evaluating your current systems and asking the right questions, companies can uncover opportunities to strengthen data quality, accessibility, and impact across the organization.
Pinion sustainability advisors provide key areas to examine when assessing and improving sustainability data practices.
Data Collection: Building a Reliable Foundation
Effective sustainability data begins with understanding what you’re collecting and why. Start by asking:
- What is driving sustainability data collection at your company, and what specific data is necessary to meet those needs? Understanding the core motivations, such as regulatory compliance, stakeholder demands, or internal targets will clarify which data points are essential.
- Where is our data located, and who manages it? Identifying data sources, owners, and storage locations ensures the right people and systems are engaged in the process.
- Who are our internal data champions? The individuals most familiar with each dataset can play a critical role in maintaining accuracy and consistency.
- How can we streamline data transfer? Establishing efficient, recurring processes for consolidating data reduces the risk of outdated or incomplete information.
- Is our data collection frequent and detailed enough? Confirm that your cadence and level of granularity align with the insights you need to drive decision-making.
Data Analysis: Turning Information into Insight
Once data is collected, the next step is to ensure it can be analyzed effectively and consistently. Ask:
- What data preparation or cleaning is needed? A standardized format facilitates more efficient data analysis and integration.
- Which central system will store the data in a structured format? Whether it’s a sophisticated database or a simpler solution like a single Excel workbook, the choice will depend on the size and complexity of the company’s sustainability program.
- Which business intelligence tool will be used to connect data sources and produce reports and dashboards? Selecting the right tools is essential for extracting actionable insights from the data. Common dashboarding tools include Microsoft’s Power BI or Salesforce’s Tableau.
- Do we have a clear and consistent data model? A well-structured data model defines how different datasets, such as facilities, production, or emissions, are related to one another. It ensures data integrity, supports accurate analysis, and enables more reliable sustainability reporting.
Reporting: Enabling Action Across the Organization
The ultimate value of sustainability data comes from how it’s used. Consider:
- Who is trained to use the business intelligence software and analyze the data? Ensuring that employees are well-equipped to use the business intelligence tools and interpret the data is crucial for effective reporting.
- What are the use cases for the data? Identifying specific business functions that could benefit from sustainability data insights can help improve the impact of reports and dashboards.
- How are end users (executives, operations managers, salespeople, etc.) trained to understand and use the insights from the reports and dashboards? Training company decision-makers on how to use the insights generated from sustainability data is key to ensuring that the insights influence the company’s strategy and operations.
A structured approach to collecting, analyzing, and reporting sustainability data helps organizations build insights that lead to measurable progress.
