Summary
Sustainability and ESG are increasingly important for businesses, and Businss Intelligence (BI) can play a crucial role in helping companies track and improve their performance in these areas, while also benefiting from the associated cost and risk reduction, as well as reputational and competitive advantages
Sustainability has risen to the top of businesses’ priorities as people become more conscious of how human activity affects the environment. Businesses are looking for ways to minimize their impact on the environment while responsibly driving social and economic growth.
But how can companies track and improve their results in terms of sustainability? One powerful tool that can help is Business Intelligence (BI).
In this post, we’ll share our experience on the role that BI can play in helping businesses track and improve their sustainability performance.
Data has become one of the driving forces behind every successful business, and business intelligence engineers are the experts who help organizations harness the power of their data.
Introduction to sustainability in the business world
In a world where the effects of climate change are becoming more and more apparent, sustainability has become a hot topic in the business world.
At its core, sustainability is about ensuring the long-term health of a company. This means taking into account not only a company’s financial health, but also its environmental and social impact.
By adopting sustainable practices, companies can reduce their environmental footprint, improve their reputation, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Sustainability can take many forms in the business world. For some companies, it might mean implementing eco-friendly policies and practices, such as reducing energy usage or using sustainable materials. For others, it might mean focusing on social responsibility, such as supporting local communities or providing fair working conditions for employees.
The growing importance of sustainability for companies and consumers
Regardless of the specific approach, the importance of sustainability in business cannot be overstated. In today’s world, consumers are increasingly looking for sustainable options, and failure to address sustainability can damage a company’s reputation and bottom line.
As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need for sustainability, companies are being forced to reevaluate their operations and consider their impact on the environment. This shift has also extended to the realm of business intelligence, with more and more companies looking to incorporate sustainability into their data-driven decision making.
The role of business intelligence in achieving sustainability goals
Business intelligence (BI) refers to the tools and processes used by organizations to collect, analyze, and make sense of vast amounts of data. By leveraging BI, companies can gain valuable insights into their operations and make more informed decisions.
If you want to learn more about business intelligence (BI), we recommend our post Introduction to business intelligence (BI), or check out all of our posts related to business intelligence
But what does sustainability have to do with BI? Simply put, sustainability is about long-term viability, and data can play a crucial role in helping companies identify areas where they can reduce their environmental impact.
For example, a company might use BI to track their energy usage and pinpoint areas where they can improve efficiency. This not only helps the company reduce its carbon footprint, but it can also save them money in the long run.
But sustainability in BI isn’t just about reducing a company’s environmental impact. It can also help companies appeal to consumers who are increasingly looking for sustainable options.
By using BI to track and analyze customer preferences and behaviors, a company can identify opportunities to incorporate sustainable practices into their offerings. This can not only help the company appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers, but it can also give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Using Data to Identify Areas Where You Can Reduce Its Environmental Impact
Business Intelligence (BI) can help companies identify areas where they can reduce their environmental impact by analyzing data from various sources such as energy usage, waste production, and transportation.
For example, a company can use BI to analyze data on energy usage across different departments or locations. This can help the company identify areas where energy consumption is high and target those areas for energy-saving initiatives.
Similarly, a company can use BI to analyze data on waste production and identify areas where waste is being generated in large quantities. By identifying these areas, the company can take steps to reduce waste and improve their overall environmental impact.
Identifying Opportunities for Cost Savings Through Energy Efficiency and Waste Reduction
One of the biggest advantages of using BI for sustainability is that it can help companies identify opportunities for cost savings. By analyzing data on energy consumption and waste production, a company can identify areas where they can improve energy efficiency and reduce waste.
These improvements can lead to significant cost savings for the company. For example, a company can use BI to analyze data on energy usage and identify areas where energy consumption is high.
By implementing energy-saving initiatives in these areas, the company can reduce energy consumption and lower energy costs. Similarly, a company can use BI to analyze data on waste production and identify areas where waste is being generated in large quantities.
Analyzing Supply Chain Data to Identify Sustainable Suppliers
Another important aspect of using BI for sustainability is analyzing supply chain data to identify sustainable suppliers. By analyzing data on suppliers, a company can identify those that have sustainable practices in place, such as recycling, energy-efficient production, or fair labor practices.
This information can help a company make more informed decisions about which suppliers to work with and encourage sustainable practices throughout its supply chain.
For example, a company can use BI to analyze data on suppliers’ energy usage and identify those that have implemented energy-efficient practices. By working with these suppliers, the company can help promote sustainable practices throughout its supply chain.
ESG Business Intelligence
Business intelligence that focuses on a company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities is known as ESG business intelligence. It enables businesses to assess and track their ESG performance and make informed decisions to improve their ESG initiatives.
For instance, a business may utilize ESG Business Intelligence to monitor its greenhouse gas emissions and evaluate how it performs in comparison to industry standards. The company can use this information to pinpoint areas where it is falling short of its ESG objectives and create initiatives to lower its emissions.
ESG Intelligence Tool
An example of business intelligence used in ESG improvements is the ESG intelligence tool by Pwc.
The ESG Intelligence tool is a business intelligence platform that is independent of industry and is used to help organizations of all sizes evaluate and report their performance in the areas of environmental, social, and governance.
The tool is built in a Microsoft’s Power BI solution, a cloud-based business analytics application that performs data acquisition and transformation, data modeling and visualization with speed and efficiency to deliver insights that enable fast, informed decisions
Image source: ESG Intelligence PWC
All information included in the ESG intelligence tool is divided in 3 main pillars; Environment, Social and Governance.
Examples of companies using business intelligence for sustainability
There are many examples of companies using BI for sustainability. Here are some real-world examples of companies using Business Intelligence (BI) for sustainability:
Nestle
The global food and beverage company uses BI to track and monitor its sustainability performance, including its greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste reduction.
Nestle’s BI system provides real-time data on the company’s sustainability performance, allowing it to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about its sustainability strategy.
Unilever
Unilever, a consumer goods company, has developed a BI platform called “Sustainable Living Plan Tracker,” which allows it to track and monitor its progress towards its sustainability goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The tracker provides real-time data and insights, enabling Unilever to monitor its progress and make course corrections as needed.
Walmart
Walmart, the global retail giant, has implemented a BI system called “Sustainability Index,” which helps it track and monitor the environmental and social performance of its products and suppliers.
The index provides data on a wide range of sustainability metrics, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste reduction, allowing Walmart to make informed decisions about its sustainability strategy and supplier relationships.
IBM
IBM, the technology company, has developed a BI platform called “Sustainable Natural Resource Management,” which helps it track and monitor its sustainability performance, including its greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste reduction.
The platform provides real-time data and insights, allowing IBM to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about its sustainability strategy.
These are just a few examples of companies using BI for sustainability. By using BI to track and monitor their sustainability performance, these companies are able to identify areas for improvement, reduce their costs and risks, and gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly sustainability-conscious market.
Benefits of incorporating sustainability into business intelligence strategy
Incorporating sustainability into your BI strategy can bring numerous benefits. For one, it can help a company reduce their environmental impact and save money in the long run. Additionally, it can help a company appeal to consumers who are looking for sustainable options. Finally, it can give a company a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Conclusion: Using BI For Sustainability Initiatives
In conclusion, Business Intelligence for Sustainability is an essential tool for organizations looking to improve their environmental, social and economic impact. It allows organizations to make data-driven decisions and track progress in sustainability initiatives.
It’s important to remember that the success of Business Intelligence for Sustainability efforts depends on having a clear strategy, goals and a dedicated team in place. Additionally, it’s important to regularly review the data and metrics to see where improvements can be made and to track progress. By using Business Intelligence for Sustainability, organizations can make a significant contribution to creating a more sustainable future.
FAQ: Sustainability with Business Intelligence
What is Business Intelligence for Sustainability?
Business Intelligence for Sustainability refers to the use of data and analytics to measure and improve an organization’s environmental, social, and economic impact. It helps organizations to make data-driven decisions for a sustainable future.
How can Business Intelligence help my organization become more sustainable?
Business Intelligence can help an organization to identify areas for improvement and track progress in sustainability initiatives. It can also be used to measure an organization’s carbon footprint and track energy consumption.
What are some examples of sustainability metrics that can be tracked with Business Intelligence?
Some examples of sustainability metrics that can be tracked with Business Intelligence include greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, energy consumption, waste generation, and employee engagement in sustainability initiatives.
What are some of the challenges of implementing Business Intelligence for Sustainability?
Some of the challenges of implementing Business Intelligence for Sustainability include data availability, data quality, and a lack of standardization for sustainability metrics.
How can I ensure that my organization’s Business Intelligence for Sustainability efforts are successful?
To ensure that Business Intelligence for Sustainability efforts are successful, it’s important to have a clear strategy and goals in place, as well as a dedicated team to manage the project
