Smart Innovators: Corporate ESG & Sustainability Software
Yaowen Ma
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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 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)
About the Authors
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...
David Metcalfe
CEO and Co-Founder
David is the CEO and co-founder of Verdantix, where he leads the firm’s strategic direction and client engagement. Since co-founding the firm in 2008, David has built a ...
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