Strategic Focus: Delivering Investor-Grade ESG Data

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Executive Summary

The ESG and sustainability data landscape is rapidly evolving as data requirements become more complex and stakeholder pressure mounts. Investor-grade ESG data will be vital for ensuring ESG regulatory compliance, enhancing investor confidence and maintaining the integrity of financial markets. This report considers the key characteristics of investor-grade ESG data and leverages insights from the recent Verdantix ESG and sustainability global corporate survey, which reveals that firms are struggling to provide reliable, accurate ESG data. Drawing on these insights, this report explores best practices for enabling investor-grade data, covering organizational process changes, personnel capabilities and technology investment. 

Table of contents

The evolving ESG and sustainability data landscape
Providing investor-grade ESG data proves to be a challenge
Best practices to deliver investor-grade ESG data
Create a culture of accountability
Develop a robust ESG controls framework
Establish an ESG information architecture

Table of figures

Figure 1. Data requirements under the CSRD
Figure 2. Characteristics of investor-grade data
Figure 3. Confidence in ability to provide investor-grade data
Figure 4. Software penetration across a variety of ESG use cases
Figure 5. Best practices to deliver investor-grade ESG data
Figure 6. Designing robust internal controls for investor-grade ESG data

About the authors

Lily Turnbull

Industry Analyst
Lily is an Industry Analyst in the Verdantix ESG & Sustainability practice. Her current research agenda focuses on ESG and sustainability services, ESG assurance, and sustainable finance. Lily joined Verdantix in 2022 and has previous experience in social impact research and ESG software development. She holds an MSc in Women, Peace & Security from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a BA in Theology & Religion from the University of Bristol.

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 sustainability, circular economy, social impact, and sustainable finance. Kim has worked for more than 20 years in the IT industry, providing research and analysis to help companies invest wisely in new technologies. Before joining the analyst industry, she held various roles in IT services, engineering and product safety testing, beginning her career at Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Kim holds an MBA from Boston University and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell.

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