Best Practices: ESG & Sustainability Digital Strategies For Energy, Manufacturing And Resources
17 May, 2024
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Executive Summary
To support the operationalization of ESG and sustainability strategies, energy, manufacturing and resources firms are adopting myriad solutions. Drawing on sector-specific interviews with senior practitioners in IT and sustainability, this report highlights emerging best practices for addressing sustainability challenges and developing ESG digital strategies. Senior sustainability and IT professionals, in cooperation with other stakeholders that form part of their digital sustainability strategy teams, should use this report to garner best practices and apply them to their own organization and strategy.
The energy, manufacturing and resources sectors power and produce sustainable futures
An overview of the energy, manufacturing and resources sectors
The energy, manufacturing and resources sectors face pressure from all sides to enhance sustainability performance
Data challenges and organizational complexities hinder sustainability performance improvements
Best practices for developing a digital strategy for ESG and sustainability
Appropriate internal organizational structures are crucial for success
Setting out the necessary processes supports implementation and utilization
Building a digital strategy maximizes the value of ESG software investment
Digital solutions integrate sustainability into key business activities
An overview of the energy, manufacturing and resources sectors
The energy, manufacturing and resources sectors face pressure from all sides to enhance sustainability performance
Data challenges and organizational complexities hinder sustainability performance improvements
Best practices for developing a digital strategy for ESG and sustainability
Appropriate internal organizational structures are crucial for success
Setting out the necessary processes supports implementation and utilization
Building a digital strategy maximizes the value of ESG software investment
Digital solutions integrate sustainability into key business activities
Figure 1. Industry mapping to NAICS sectors and sub-sectors
Figure 2a. Energy sector sustainability outlook
Figure 2b. Manufacturing sector sustainability outlook
Figure 2c. Resources sector sustainability outlook
Figure 3. Impact of corporate decarbonization targets on the digital transformation of plant operations
Figure 4. Top challenges to sustainability performance improvements in energy, manufacturing and resources
Figure 5. Representative material sustainability issues for firms in energy, manufacturing and resources
Figure 6. Examples of industry collaboration to improve sustainability performance
Figure 7. Best practices for digital sustainability strategies in energy, manufacturing and resources
Figure 2a. Energy sector sustainability outlook
Figure 2b. Manufacturing sector sustainability outlook
Figure 2c. Resources sector sustainability outlook
Figure 3. Impact of corporate decarbonization targets on the digital transformation of plant operations
Figure 4. Top challenges to sustainability performance improvements in energy, manufacturing and resources
Figure 5. Representative material sustainability issues for firms in energy, manufacturing and resources
Figure 6. Examples of industry collaboration to improve sustainability performance
Figure 7. Best practices for digital sustainability strategies in energy, manufacturing and resources
Chemical Industries Association (CIA), Anglian Water, Together For Sustainability (TfS), ArcelorMittal, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Southern Company, Dow, Geodis, Assent, CDP, Stellantis, Workiva, Rio Tinto, Veolia Water, BMW, NetBenefit, Nerya, Porsche, WTW (Willis Towers Watson), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), SSAB, Volvo Group, Iberdrola, BASF, Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Tata Steel, Circularise, Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance (SSCA), ENIS, Cisco, Alliant Energy, Cority, Amcor, Samsung, Anglo American, Ineos, IFRS Foundation, National Grid, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), Duke Energy, UL Solutions, ESGgo, NRG Energy, Copperleaf, EDF, Institute for Supply Chain Management, FREYR Battery, Shell, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Ball Corporation, US Department of Energy, LyondellBasell, Audi, IntegrityNext, Ford, Bain & Company, Ørsted, Enel, GSK, TotalEnergies, EcoVadis, Phillips, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FigBytes, Circulor, Economist Impact, Caterpillar, SSE, SABIC, American Gas Association (AGA), PwC, Glencore, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Council for Inclusive Capitalism, WeSustain, Veolia, OMV
About the Authors
Lily Turnbull
Senior Analyst
Lily is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix ESG & Sustainability practice. Her current research agenda focuses on ESG and sustainability services, ESG assurance, and sustain…
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Guy Lewis
Industry Analyst
Guy is an Industry Analyst in the Verdantix ESG & Sustainability practice. He currently leads research on circular economy software and services and supports research acro…
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Kim Knickle
Research Director, ESG & Sustainability
Kimberly Knickle is Research Director of the ESG & Sustainability practice at Verdantix. Her research areas encompass ESG regulations and reporting, ESG risk, supply chain…
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