GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark), ENERGY STAR®, and NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) are leading global ESG assessments for property managers and asset operators, and participation demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and provides valuable benchmarks for improvement.
However, for organisations with numerous properties, manually collecting, verifying, and formatting data for sustainability reporting can be a time-consuming, resource-intensive, and error-prone process.
Here’s a closer look at the specific pain points associated with manual sustainability reporting
- Data gathering: extracting relevant sustainability metrics from diverse sources like utility bills, building management systems, and tenant surveys requires significant manual effort. This can be particularly tedious for organisations with geographically dispersed properties.
- Manual-entry spreadsheets: data from various sources is often compiled in cumbersome spreadsheets, prone to human error and inconsistencies during data entry, manipulation, and formatting.
- Verification of data: verifying the accuracy of manually entered data is another layer of complexity, consuming valuable resources and delaying the reporting process.
- Deadline pressure: the manual data collection and verification process often leads to last-minute scrambling to meet submission deadlines, causing stress and potentially jeopardising participation.
The power of integrated platforms
Platforms like ESG Optimiser offer a solution by streamlining reporting through automation and integration. Here’s how these platforms tackle the challenges mentioned earlier:
- Automated data acquisition: instead of manual data gathering, ESG Optimiser integrates with existing building management systems, utility providers, and other sources. This allows for automatic data collection, reducing manual effort and ensuring consistency.
- Farewell spreadsheets, hello automation: data from various sources is automatically streamed into the platform, eliminating the need for error-prone manual entry and spreadsheet manipulation.
- Built-in verification tools: ESG Optimiser offers data validation features that flag inconsistencies and potential errors for review. This ensures the accuracy and reliability of the data submitted in the report.
- Streamlined reporting workflow: with data automatically collected, verified, and formatted within the platform, reporting becomes a streamlined process. Reporting templates are readily available, significantly reducing the time and resources needed to meet submission deadlines.
Beyond simplifying reporting, integrating platforms like ESG Optimiser offer additional benefits:
- Improved data quality: automated data collection and verification minimise the risk of errors, leading to more reliable and accurate data.
- Enhanced decision-making: centralised data storage within the platform provides a holistic view of portfolio sustainability performance, enabling data-driven decision making for further improvement.
- Reduced compliance risks: accurate data management ensures compliance with requirements and reduces the risk of errors that could lead to penalties.
- Increased productivity: by automating tedious manual tasks associated with reporting, the platform frees up valuable resources for employees to focus on strategic sustainability initiatives.
By leveraging the power of automation and integration, organisations can transform the reporting process from a time-consuming burden into a streamlined and efficient exercise. This allows sustainability champions to focus their efforts on what matters most – achieving their organisation’s long-term sustainability goals.
Struggling to manage all your building data with your wider ESG data?
Integrating, reporting and communicating ESG data from multiple sources can be complex, and time consuming.
ESG Optimiser is an integrated solution, powered by the IBM Envizi ESG platform, which includes a dedicated Building Ratings & Benchmarks module. This module allows you to capture, analyse and track building benchmarks and ratings across your entire property portfolio.
It also features dedicated API connectors and algorithms, so you can report directly into the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) and ENERGY STAR® frameworks and get indicative building ratings from National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS).
Unveiling hidden insights through data analysis
While automation and integration streamline data collection and reporting, the true power of a platform like ESG Optimiser lies in its ability to unlock valuable insights from your building performance data. These insights empower sustainability champions to make data-driven decisions and implement targeted strategies that drive measurable improvements across your portfolio.
Actionable intelligence
- Performance benchmarking: the platform allows for benchmarking your portfolio’s sustainability performance against industry standards and competitor data. This comparative analysis helps identify areas where your buildings are excelling or lagging, allowing for targeted improvement efforts.
- Trend identification: by analysing historical and real-time data, ESG Optimiser can identify trends in energy consumption, water usage, and other key metrics. Understanding these trends allows for proactive measures to address inefficiencies and prevent potential issues.
- Scenario modelling: the platform can be used to model the impact of different sustainability initiatives. This allows organisations to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of various strategies before implementation, ensuring resource allocation is optimised for maximum impact.
- Goal setting and tracking: sustainability goals can be set and tracked within the platform, providing a clear visual representation of progress towards achieving desired outcomes. This fosters a culture of accountability and motivates teams to stay on track.
The ability to translate raw data into actionable insights empowers sustainability champions to:
- Prioritise Investments: by identifying areas where the greatest improvement can be achieved, the platform helps organisations prioritise investments in energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy solutions, and other sustainability initiatives.
- Develop targeted strategies: insights from data analysis can inform the development of targeted strategies for specific buildings or property types within the portfolio.
- Demonstrate ROI: by tracking progress towards sustainability goals, the platform allows organisations to demonstrate the return on investment (ROI) of their sustainability initiatives, justifying continued support and resource allocation.
A collaborative approach: building a sustainable future together
Sustainability is not a solo endeavour. Effective sustainability management requires collaboration across different departments within an organisation. Platforms like ESG Optimiser can facilitate this collaboration by providing a central repository for building performance data. This ensures everyone has access to the same information, fostering a shared understanding of the organisation’s sustainability performance and goals.
Here’s how ESG Optimiser fosters collaboration for a more sustainable future:
- Data transparency: a centralised data platform ensures everyone has access to the latest and most accurate building performance data. This eliminates information silos and promotes transparency across departments.
- Cross-departmental alignment: by providing a holistic view of portfolio sustainability, the platform fosters communication and collaboration between departments such as facilities management, operations, and sustainability teams.
- Stakeholder engagement: with readily available data and insights, organisations can effectively communicate their sustainability progress to stakeholders like investors, tenants, and the broader community. This transparency builds trust and demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Ultimately, a platform like ESG Optimiser empowers organisations to move beyond the burden of data collection and reporting. By automating tasks, unlocking valuable insights, and fostering collaboration, the platform equips sustainability champions with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions, implement impactful strategies, and achieve their long-term sustainability goals. This, in turn, contributes to a more sustainable future for our planet.
Unlock the power of ESG Optimiser
Discover how ESG Optimiser, our comprehensive ESG data and analytics platform, empowers you to manage your building’s performance data and sustainability impact effectively.
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Book a free 30-minute demo and chat with an ESG data expert to learn more about ESG Optimiser!
For building owners and operational heads managing large portfolios, ESG Optimiser by Ikano Insight offers a powerful solution. By integrating building management data with ESG and sustainability measurement software, you can automate data collection, improve accuracy, and achieve your sustainability goals.
