The Best Tools for Supporting Sustainable Businesses
In today's article we explore some of the top digital solutions you can use to strengthen ESG practices in your business.
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With increasing pressure from consumers and investors ESG, or environmental, social and governance issues are becoming increasingly important in the corporate world. ESG-focused businesses must minimise their impact on the environment and communities they operate in and remain fully transparent while doing so. Moreover, regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are gradually transforming how organisations carry out their reporting processes. These frameworks demand greater transparency around ESG practices, placing sustainability at the heart of modern business strategy and reporting.
In order to succeed in this ESG-centric business environment, companies must clearly demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by implementing the necessary processes, policies and reporting standards, and technology can be a transformative way to do so. From tracking emissions to optimising operations, the right digital tools can help businesses transform how they track and manage ESG-related activity. Below we discuss some of the digital tools businesses can use to progress their sustainability objectives.
ERP for Sustainability
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software like D365 Business Central enables companies to centralise data, break down departmental silos, and gain a holistic view of sustainability metrics across departments. Further, Microsoft has integrated built-in sustainability features to streamline ESG reporting processes. With features like the Chart of Sustainability Accounts, businesses can track greenhouse gas emissions across the various scopes defined by EU standards, including direct and indirect emissions. Customisable Sustainability Journals and ledgers help businesses collect, analyse, and act on emissions data, while Sustainability Scorecards make it even easier to track sustainability objectives by monitoring current emissions alongside progress towards target emissions. Organisations can also use the Sustainability Manager Role Centre to allow managers to track and monitor ESG-related activity and objectives in real time, ensuring they always have access to the key environmental and compliance data required for strategic decision-making.
Power BI for ESG Analytics
Having access to data is one thing, but understanding and acting on it is another. Power BI helps businesses transform raw sustainability data into actionable insights by creating comprehensive data visualisations that help organisations better understand their environmental impact. With custom dashboards and interactive reports, businesses can illustrate emissions trends, monitor waste, and track energy usage to identify opportunities for improvement.
Sustainability Reporting with Continia
Meeting ESG reporting requirements can be resource-intensive and time-consuming. Continia Sustainability integrates with your business’ ERP system to automate carbon footprint calculations and create detailed, accurate sustainability reports. This makes it easier for businesses to remain compliant with regulations like the CSRD while gaining a clearer picture of their environmental impact.
Remote Work with Microsoft 365 & SharePoint
Remote work is a powerful way to reduce a company’s carbon footprint, particularly Scope 3 emissions related to commuting. Tools like Microsoft 365 and SharePoint support hybrid and remote teams with real-time collaboration, secure file sharing, and cloud-based document management. These platforms not only enhance remote productivity but also reduce the environmental impact of traditional office setups.
AI for Smarter Sustainability
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help businesses make smarter, greener decisions. By harnessing AI to identify inefficiencies and model future scenarios, companies can drive data-informed decisions that help reduce environmental impact. Further, platforms like Microsoft Copilot Studio enable businesses to build their own custom solutions to help combat their unique sustainability challenges in an innovative way.
If you would like to learn more about how you can leverage digital solutions to help achieve your business’ sustainability goals, get in touch with one of our experts today.
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