Smart Innovators: Corporate ESG & Sustainability Software

Access this research

Access all ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report

Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance


Executive Summary

Over the past few years, investor interest in ESG metrics and financially material sustainability information has dramatically shifted the landscape for business disclosures, risk and performance management. This report provides buyers of software for environment, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability management with a high-level benchmark of the capabilities of 44 software solutions. The rise of ESG investment and lending trends has established new business requirements for corporate ESG and sustainability data management, analytics and workflows. Verdantix analysis finds that seven vendor categories form the building blocks of an ESG information architecture. Superior data access and visibility drive digital technology innovations across four categories: 1) real-time risk analytics, 2) operational ESG programme management, 3) product stewardship, and 4) disclosures and reporting management. Heads of ESG and Sustainability should use this report to inform their future technology adoption roadmaps in 2021 and beyond. 

ESG And Sustainability Data Management Ushers In New Phase Of Growth  
In 2019 Financial Markets Exhibited A Growing Appetite For More And Better ESG Data
During 2020 Financial Market Participants Accelerated Their Push For ESG Disclosures
From 2021 Onwards Firms Will Need To Enhance Their ESG Governance And IT Systems

A New Era For The ESG And Sustainability Software Market  
New Corporate ESG Business Requirements Map To Four Software Capabilities
A Diverse Ecosystem Of Vendors Form The Building Blocks For An Enterprise ESG IT Architecture
Superior Data Access And Visibility Drive Technology Innovations In The ESG And Sustainability Market

Figure 1. Asset Owners Desire ESG Integration For Financial Risk And Opportunity Benefits 
Figure 2. Understanding Green, Social, Sustainability, And Sustainability-Linked Bonds 
Figure 3. ESG & Sustainability Software Capabilities & Definitions 
Figure 4. Seven Categories Of Vendor Backgrounds In ESG Software 
Figure 5. ESG & Sustainability Software Capabilities Assessment (Aggregate) 
Figure 6. ESG & Sustainability Software Capabilities Assessment (Vendors With <100 Employees) 
Figure 7. ESG & Sustainability Software Capabilities Assessment (Vendors With >100 Employees) 
Quentic, Accenture, ArcelorMittal, Accuvio, Refinitiv, Ecodesk, alva, Alcumus, Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), EY, Bremer Energy Consulting Services, Novisto, Adidas, CDP, Microsoft, Diligent Corporation, Santander, Workiva, Morgan Stanley Institute For Sustainable Investing, Cognite, Chevron, International Capital Market Association (ICMA), DNV , Bloomberg, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Guardhat, Temasek, S&P Global, JPMorgan Chase, SINAI Technologies, AB InBev, EnHelix Environmental Defense Fund, Avetta, International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), APlanet, PIMCO, Benchmark Digital, CFA Institute, Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), Bill Identity, XBRL International, UL, Schneider Electric, FTSE4Good, NYSE, Neuberger Berman, State Street Global Advisors, Dollarama, thinkstep, Parley For The Oceans, Metrio, EU, Nasdaq OneReport, CVC Growth Partners, Fitch, ARCADIS Gen, Cority, iPoint, AkzoNobel, Morningstar, US SIF, Goodera, ISS, VelocityEHS, Ecometrica, Plexus, ASM, CSRware, Envizi, GHGSat, EQT, IsoMetrix, National Grid, Y Combinator, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Salesforce, Urjanet, Datamaran, Scope 5, Lloyds Banking Group, Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), Sphera, AccountAbility (AA), Moody's, Goby, ArcGIS, Cox Enterprises, Enablon, NAVEX Global, GE Digital, Shell, Amazon, Assent Compliance, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), Vale, GMI Ratings, ClearTrace, Energy Star, Central Arizona Project, Scottish Widows, Siemens, Gensuite, Deutsche Börse, Colgate-Palmolive, Enel, Ecocion, Persefoni, Measurabl, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), EcoVadis, Ashcroft, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, MSCI, FigBytes, Oekom, Source Intelligence, Project Canary, UN, BloombergNEF (BNEF), PG&E, Intelex, UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Greenstone, Power Corporation of Canada, ProcessMAP, Diginex Solutions, Rio ESG, Librestream

About the Authors

Yaowen Ma

Yaowen Ma

Principal Analyst

Yaowen is a Principal Analyst at Verdantix conducting research on EHS and ESG information management. His current agenda focuses on digital technologies, best practices and gr…

View Profile
David Metcalfe

David Metcalfe

CEO and Co-Founder

David is the CEO of Verdantix and co-founded the firm in 2008. Based on his 20 years of experience in technology strategy and research roles he provides guidance on digital st…

View Profile