Blog

The importance of the “G” in ESG

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is now commonplace for examining and disclosing an organisation's sustainability and social impact. However, the "G" in ESG - information relating to how an organisation is governed - is often overlooked in ESG reporting. 

In this article, we explore the “G” in ESG and outline why it is fundamental to all other aspects of the organisation's sustainability.

Greenstone becomes part of Cority

Today we reach an important milestone in Greenstone’s journey; we are proud to announce that Greenstone will become part of Cority.

Greenstone’s acquisition by Cority will enable our team to continue to support clients on their sustainability and ESG journeys, as part of a larger software company.

Materiality in ESG reporting: What you need to know

Sustainability reporting has become increasingly important for companies as stakeholders demand greater transparency and accountability on ESG issues. Materiality is a key concept in sustainability reporting, as it helps companies identify the most important sustainability issues to report on, and provides stakeholders with more meaningful and relevant information. Materiality is based on the idea that not all sustainability issues are equally important and that companies should focus their reporting efforts on the issues that are most material to their business and stakeholders.

5 key ESG & Sustainability takeaways from GreenBiz 23

Greenstone's North American team had the opportunity to attend GreenBiz 23 in Arizona, USA, in February. This three-day event had an action-packed agenda of keynote sessions, breakouts, workshops, roundtables and networking events that brought over 1,600 sustainability professionals together to harness each other’s knowledge and address the complex issues they face day-to-day.

How to use the GRI standards

Sustainability reporting is becoming an increasingly crucial aspect for businesses and investors alike, as global awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues continues to rise. The global reporting initiative (GRI) standards provide a framework for companies to report on their ESG performance and impacts, and are widely recognised as the most comprehensive and widely used sustainability reporting framework in the world.

In this article, we will explore the key aspects of GRI reporting and how companies can effectively use the GRI standards to strengthen their ESG strategy. We will also provide guidance on how to use Greenstone's ESG software to streamline the GRI reporting process.

5 key topics discussed at NASRS23

Greenstone's North American team recently attended the North American Sustainability & Responsibility Summit (NASRS) held outside of Austin, Texas. The summit served as a platform for sustainability, CSR, and EHS leaders from various industries and organisations to network and learn from each other. Keynotes, case studies, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities over two and a half days allowed attendees to share ideas and innovative solutions to common challenges. 

Key takeaways from the IPCC ‘Synthesis’ report on climate change

Earlier this week, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released ‘Synthesis’, the final instalment of its sixth assessment report, which is the most comprehensive review of climate science to date. The report highlights that human-caused climate change is already having severe impacts on vulnerable people and ecosystems worldwide, as the Earth is warming faster than previously thought. However, there is still time to take effective action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Streamlining ESG data collection for frameworks & standards reporting

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'Streamlining ESG data collection for frameworks & standards reporting' on Thursday 20th April, 11am New York / 4pm London.

Greenstone participates in CDP’s API pilot to streamline CDP reporting

We are pleased to announce that Greenstone is one of the CDP Accredited Solutions Providers participating in the CDP Disclosure API pilot project in 2023.

Understanding GHG Protocol and its role in measuring GHG emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are a major contributor to climate change, thus reduction efforts are crucial in addressing global environmental challenges. It is important to have a standardised methodology for measuring and reporting such emissions, in order to track these efforts and mitigate the effects of emissions.

The GHG Protocol is a widely recognised standardised framework for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions. It provides guidelines and tools for companies, governments, and other organisations to measure and report their GHG emissions in a consistent and transparent manner.

ISSB confirms content of two new Sustainability Disclosure Standards

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) met in Montreal recently and announced its final decision on the technical content of its initial two IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The ISSB’s Standards will now go through a thorough drafting and formal ‘balloting’ approval process, ahead of their issuance towards the end of Q2 2023.

SBTi releases survey report on scope 3 science-based targets

SBTi recently released “Catalysing Value Chain Decarbonisation”, a comprehensive, global and cross-sector survey to better understand the barriers and limitations companies face when baselining, setting and delivering scope 3 science-based targets.

Greenstone implements new EDCI API enabling direct data submission

Greenstone is delighted to announce that it is one of the first ESG platforms to enable private equity firms to submit data to the ESG Data Convergence Initiative (EDCI) via an in-bound API. This API integration, launched by EDCI on February 15, 2023, will streamline and ease the annual EDCI data submission process for General Partners (GPs) and their respective portfolio companies.

Greenstone to speak at Responsible Investment Forum in New York

Greenstone is proud to be speaking at the Responsible Investment Forum: New York 2023 event on 1-2 March. Held in New York across 2 days, this event will bring together institutional investors and fund managers to explore opportunities in ESG; from value creation to implementing an effective ESG strategy.

What is PCAF and how can financial institutions participate?

Partnership for Accounting Financials (PCAF) is a worldwide collaboration of financial institutions that work together to develop and implement a harmonised approach to assess and disclose financed emissions. ‘Financed emissions’ are the GHG emissions relating to loans, underwriting, investments, and other financial services and products.

Greenstone to sponsor GreenBiz 2023

Greenstone is a proud sponsor of GreenBiz 23 in Arizona, USA in February 14-16. This three-day event positioned as the ‘premier annual event for sustainable business leaders’ is much anticipated by the sustainability community in North America.

CDP reporting in 2023 – what to expect and how to prepare

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'CDP reporting in 2023 – what to expect and how to prepare' on Wednesday 01 March, 11am New York / 4pm London.

Greenstone to attend the NASRS23 Summit in Austin, Texas

Greenstone’s North American team will be attending the North American Sustainability & Responsibility Summit (NASRS) in Austin, Texas on Jan 31 - Feb 1 2023. This event is designed and built to bring together the “who’s who” of Sustainability, CSR, and EHS leaders from across a wide range of industries and organisations to network, benchmark, learn and share with one another.

Interview with Paramount Global - our ESG reporting journey so far

CDP recently published the following interview article on its website. In this interview, we speak to Jessica Thurston, VP of ESG Strategy at Paramount Global about the strong influence of the media and entertainment industry and the significance of Paramount’s evolving ESG strategy. Jessica also gives some helpful advice to companies thinking of reporting for the first time to CDP and explains how Greenstone's partnership has strengthened Paramount's ESG reporting through reliable and consistent data. 

Read the full article below:

5 ESG reporting trends to look out for in 2023

With 2023 already in full swing, the Greenstone team looks back at the past year in relation to ESG, sustainability and supply chain reporting. There is no doubt that it was a significant year for business and ESG and we anticipate that 2023 will be no different, with greater demand for transparency and accountability. Below we have highlighted five key ESG reporting trends to look out for in 2023.

CDP scores for 2022 - a summary

In mid-December, CDP released the 2022 scores for its Climate Change, Forests and Water Security disclosures. CDP is a leading carbon disclosure framework encouraging companies to disclose information regarding a multitude of factors across the sustainability sphere including emissions reduction and targets, risks and opportunities, and supply chain sustainability. In 2022, nearly 15,000 companies, with a collective worth of over US$11 trillion, submitted a response to CDP.

How to measure GHG emissions and manage ESG data across your portfolio

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'How to measure GHG emissions and manage ESG data across your portfolio' on Thursday 26th January
11am New York / 4pm London.

What are the SASB Standards?

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) was founded in 2011 as a not-for-profit, independent standards-setting organisation. SASB’s mission was to establish and maintain industry-specific standards that assist companies in disclosing financially material, decision-useful sustainability information to investors.

Preparing for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The European Council has formally adopted the EU Sustainability Reporting Directive CSRD. It captures significantly more companies than previous EU regulations have and introduces new mandatory standards. Some non-EU businesses will also be affected. Below we highlight some of the key details to help companies captured under the regulation prepare:

Key ESG takeaways from the Responsible Investment Forum Europe

Greenstone attended the recent Responsible Investment Forum in London. Co-hosted with PRI, the Responsible Investment Forum is the longest-running private equity (PE) event focused on bringing together fund managers, institutional investors, and expert advisors to discuss ESG issues across alternative asset classes.

Below we identify four key themes during the event:

The outcomes of COP27 and what they mean for business

Over the past two weeks, Egypt hosted the 27^th UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP27). The event took place at a resort in Sharm El-Sheikh from November 6^th to the 18^th. It brought together over 30,000 policymakers, activists, and scientists with the goal of pushing global and national commitments toward a more sustainable future.

Measuring ESG and carbon performance across your portfolio | Guide

Greenstone has published a guide on 'Measuring ESG and carbon performance across your portfolio'. This guide aims to act as an advisory tool for Private Equity (PE) firms that are looking at measuring and reporting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across their portfolio.

Greenstone to sponsor the Responsible Investment Forum: Europe

Greenstone is proud to be sponsoring the Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2022 on November 16 - 17 in London. The Responsible Investment Forum: Europe, co-hosted with the PRI, is the longest-running private equity forum focused on bringing together fund managers, institutional investors, and expert advisors to discuss ESG issues across alternative asset classes.

Measuring biodiversity impact and risk: a new focus in ESG disclosure

The risks resulting from a loss of nature and changes to natural capital have the potential to disrupt society and the stability of the global economy. Whilst most research on financial risks related to natural capital has historically focused on climate change, there is a growing awareness of the risks associated with other aspects of natural capital, such as the loss of biodiversity.

How does Private Equity Stack Up on ESG? Recent publication by BCG

The ESG Data Convergence Initiative (EDCI) was launched in late 2021. This initiative is an industry-led effort by the private equity community to drive consensus around meaningful ESG metrics and generate comparable, performance-based ESG data. One of EDCI’s partners, BCG, has published the following article celebrating the progress that the initiative has made in its inaugural year, highlighting a few of the key findings from the benchmark, and encouraging other GPs and LPs to join the initiative. 

Key takeaways from the fifth annual TCFD Status Report

The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recently published their fifth annual status report. This report reflects on milestones related to the implementation of the TCFD recommendations since they were released in 2017 and other encouraging developments in climate-related disclosure since their last report in October 2021.

Greenstone ESG Technology winner's profile feature | The Drawdown

Greenstone was announced the winner of the ´Technology: ESG´ award at The Drawdown Awards ceremony held in London in June 2022. Following this, the Drawdown recently published a winner's profile feature on Greenstone in its publication. This feature is an interview with Greenstone's Head of InvestorPortal, Toby Robertson, on what makes Greenstone's cloud-based SaaS solution InvestorPortal stand out in the market. 

EY survey on sustainable supply chains driving business transformation

EY recently released a survey on 'Building supply chain sustainability that can drive revenues and reduce operational risks'. This survey of senior supply chain executives shows the need for a holistic and ROI-backed roadmap to meet sustainability performance goals. 

Greenstone sponsors Sustainable Brands '22 event in San Diego

Greenstone is pleased to be sponsoring and attending Sustainable Brands '22 on October 17-20. This annual flagship event, running across four days in San Diego, California is the global event for regenerative brands and their leaders. It offers a unique mix of inspiration, thought leadership, community and connections.

Greenstone to speak on ESG reporting at BAB Sustainability Series

Greenstone's Chief Product Officer, David Wynn, has been invited to speak on the expert panel at 'ESG Reporting: The Evolution and Impacts of the SEC and UK Taxonomy Regulations'. This event, hosted by leading transatlantic trade association BAB (BritishAmerican Business) on Thursday, October 6th at 11:00 am EDT / 5:00 pm BST, is part of BAB’s Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability Series. 

Davines Group improves data accuracy and reporting with ESG software

Greenstone has been working with the Davines Group to help streamline data collection and automate carbon emissions calculation and reporting. Through the use of Greenstone’s sustainability reporting software, Davines has been able to automate the GHG emissions calculation process and access the accurate data required to assess ambitious commitments and targets. Read the project case study below.

Greenstone announced as a finalist in the Real Deals ESG awards

We are delighted to announce that Greenstone has been announced as a finalist in the Real Deals ESG Awards 2022. The Real Deals ESG Awards identify and celebrate those who are making positive change through ESG in private equity. Greenstone’s InvestorPortal SaaS solution has been recognised in the ‘ESG Tech’ category.

ESG reporting in 2022 – why it matters and where to start

As part of Climate Week NYC, Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'ESG reporting in 2022 – why it matters and where to start' on Thursday 22 September at 11 am EST (4 pm UK).

Why a SaaS solution is essential for your ESG strategy

Software as a Service (SaaS) has transformed the way we work, share data, and communicate. It means that we need fewer programs installed on our computers, and can access our data and services from more devices.

What to consider when selecting sustainability reporting software

Finding the right sustainability and ESG reporting software platform for your business isn’t always straightforward. With the ever-evolving reporting landscape, you need to be sure that the software you choose is going to fulfil your sustainability, ESG, EHS, CSR, risk and compliance and supply chain reporting requirements both today and in the future.

Still working on spreadsheets? Here’s why you need ESG software

With reporting requirements constantly increasing, a huge volume of data needs to be collected and reported across an organisation. Once collected, you are then faced with the daunting task of combining datasets from different business functions into something that can be interpreted, analysed and reported on.

5 things to look for in sustainability reporting software

Sustainability reporting involves data, data and more data. The demand for greater transparency, accurate and reliable information and continuous monitoring against targets is growing. With reporting requirements constantly increasing, a huge volume of data needs to be collected, managed and reported across an organisation. 

Three stages of corporate Scope 3 reporting & primary data collection

Measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions (GHG emissions associated with the value chain) has become a key area of environmental reporting for most companies. With a surge in the setting of ambitious science-based and net-zero targets, and the increased pressure from investors, regulators and customers, prioritising Scope 3 emissions has never been as important.

How to address supply chain risk – the risk management journey

Despite growing stakeholder pressure, many companies still do not have an understanding of the compliance, potential risks and impacts of their supply chain. We believe that companies are on an ever-maturing supplier management journey. The ultimate goal of this journey is to integrate sustainable supplier management across their business, in order to create more transparent, responsible and risk-free supply chains.

Fujitsu releases Global Sustainability Transformation Report 2022

Last week, Fujitsu released its Global Sustainability Transformation Survey Report 2022 – ‘Accelerating sustainability with a digital-first approach’. This survey analyses key challenges and critical success factors of sustainability transformation and makes important recommendations for the future.

Understanding EU's Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

In February 2022, the European Commission issued its proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD), aiming to encourage ethical and sustainable business practices throughout all global value chains. These new regulations will provide companies with legal security and increase transparency for investors and consumers.

Key takeaways on the SEC's new proposal & FAQs

Since the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposal in March 2022, public companies are expecting to begin reporting their carbon emissions and reductions progress alongside their financial results. Greenstone is covering the progress of the proposal and has produced a series of resources on what to look out for ahead of the final vote.

This blog covers the key takeaways on the SEC's new proposal, the answers to some frequently asked questions and how Greenstone’s software can help start preparations.

Greenstone Investor ESG solution wins prestigious private equity award

Greenstone has been announced the winner of the ´Technology: ESG´ award at The Drawdown Awards ceremony. The Drawdown Awards celebrate excellence and innovation within private capital fund operations.

Four tips to Optimise Your CDP Score

At the unprecedented rate at which climate change is happening, more and more companies are starting to act with urgency. CDP disclosure is driving corporate transparency and helping to guide, incentivise and assess climate action. In 2021, a record-breaking 13,000+ companies representing over 64% of global market capitalization disclosed through CDP – 35% more than 2020, and over 141% more than when the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015.

US SEC climate rules: where to start and how to future-proof your data

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'US SEC climate rules: where to start and how to future-proof your data' on Thursday 23rd June 9am Los Angeles | 12pm New York | 5pm London.

Understanding the SEC’s new carbon disclosure recommendations

In March 2022, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a new proposal for public companies to begin reporting their carbon emissions and reductions progress alongside their financial results.

These SEC rules aim to make corporate sustainability reporting more common, consistent, and standardised like financial accounting and reporting, similar to the recent EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in Europe.

Greenstone sponsors Responsible Business Europe event

Greenstone is pleased to be sponsoring Responsible Business Europe in London on 8-9 June 2022. This event, running across two days in London, brings together 400+ CEOs and senior-level executives from business, finance and Government to meet, discuss and share best practice on shaping the future of business.

The Scope 3 GHG emissions reporting journey: where to start

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'The Scope 3 GHG emissions reporting journey: where to start' on Tuesday 14th June 11am New York | 4pm London.

Greenstone’s investor ESG software named as finalist - Drawdown Awards

Greenstone has been shortlisted as a finalist in The Drawdown Awards, in the ‘Technology: ESG’ category. The Drawdown Awards celebrate excellence and innovation within private capital fund operations. With a judging panel made up of leading industry practitioners (both GPs and LPs), the rigorous judging process makes these awards stand out from the crowd in both rigour and prestige.

ESG disclosure and reporting - 4 key impacts on procurement teams

Greenstone recently held a webinar, in partnership with the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC), on the ‘Dynamic ESG landscape & its intersections with sustainable procurement’. In this blog, we have summarised one topic that was covered in the webinar – how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure impacts procurement teams. Below are 4 key impacts of ESG disclosure and reporting on procurement teams.

Greenstone becomes Tech Zero signatory to confirm net zero commitment

Greenstone has recently become a Tech Zero signatory. Tech Zero is a partner of the UNFCCC ‘Race to Zero’ for tech companies committed to making faster progress towards net zero. With founding partners such as Bulb, Revolut and Starling Bank, Greenstone joins the nearly 300 tech companies globally who have joined the climate-action group so far.

4 things to consider when calculating GHG emissions across a portfolio

Calculating the GHG or carbon emissions of an organisation is a key KPI for businesses to communicate their impact on the environment to stakeholders. Commonly grouped into scopes, reporting on GHG impacts in different categories provides transparency on where the impacts have occurred within a business’s operations.

Greenstone to speak on ESG software and ESG data at CoreNet NYC event

Greenstone's Chief Product Officer, David Wynn, will be speaking at the 'PropTech & Sustainability Committee: How Companies Are Using Technology To Develop Their ESG' on  April 7th in New York, USA.

The CoreNet Global New York City Chapter is holding this event aimed at exploring which platform solutions are available to companies to help streamline ESG data processes. David will be on a panel of industry experts and will joined by speakers from CBRE and PwC. 

SEC proposes new climate disclosure rules for US public companies

Earlier this week the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the release of proposed rule changes that would require US public companies to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports. This includes information about climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business, certain climate-related financial statement metrics and disclosure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Greenstone to attend Responsible Business USA event

Greenstone’s North American team will be attending Responsible Business USA in New York on 19- 20 April 2022. This event brings together 400+ CEOs and senior-level executives from business, finance and Government to meet, discuss and share best practice on shaping the future of business.

Greenstone publishes glossary for Sustainability & ESG professionals

Greenstone has published a 'Sustainability & ESG' Glossary. This glossary, providing definitions of the most commonly used terms and concepts in sustainability and ESG reporting, is designed to help sustainability professionals stay up to date with terms, acronyms, frameworks and reporting standards.

How Greenstone's Environment module is enabling responsible business

At Greenstone, we provide a wide range of ESG and sustainability reporting software solutions which have all been developed in response to the evolving reporting ESG and sustainability landscape and our clients’ reporting requirements.

CDP reporting in 2022 – what you need to know

Earlier this month, gold CDP-accredited solution provider Greenstone held a webinar on how to prepare for CDP reporting in 2022. With a guest speaker from CDP, Senior Corporate Engagement Officer Mona Ackholm, this webinar covered an overview of everything you need to know about the CDP reporting timeline, disclosure options for first-time responders and what’s changed in 2022.

In this blog, we provide a summary of what was covered:

Five Tools for Preparing Your CDP Data for Verification

As part of CDP's 'Bitesize Sustainability Webinar Series', gold CDP-accredited solution provider, Greenstone is presenting a 30-minute webinar on 'Five Tools for Preparing Your CDP Data for Verification' on Wednesday 30 March at 11am ET / 4pm GMT. 

Dynamic ESG landscape & its intersections with sustainable procurement

In partnership with Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC), Greenstone is presenting a 60-minute webinar on ‘Dynamic ESG landscape and its intersections with sustainable procurement' on Thursday 24 March at 10am ET / 2pm GMT. This expert webinar, hosted by SPLC, will cover in detail how the ESG reporting landscape is fast-evolving and how this impacts the procurement community.

Greenstone to speak at Responsible Investment Forum New York

Greenstone is proud to be speaking at the Responsible Investment Forum: New York 2022 next week. Held in New York on 2^nd and 3^rd March, the Responsible Investment Forum will bring together institutional investors, fund managers and highly recognised associations to discuss why, when, and how firms should be implementing an effective ESG strategy.

Greenstone publishes 2022 UN Global Compact Communication on Progress

Greenstone has published its annual Communication on Progress (COP) to the UN Global Compact. With this Annual Report, Greenstone continues to demonstrate its commitment to making the UN Global Compact and its principles part of the strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of our company.

How Greenstone’s ESG software can enable Scope 3 reporting

Greenstone’s suite of sustainability, supply chain and investor ESG software solutions provide an integrated approach to addressing the challenge of Scope 3 emissions calculation and reporting. Providing a central hub for the collection and aggregation of Scope 3 data across all 15 Scope 3 categories, Greenstone’s solutions support businesses on their Scope 3 reporting journey, whether they are just starting out or they have been reporting in this area for years.

How to prepare for CDP reporting in 2022

Every year, the CDP reporting cycle seems to come around quickly. The advice for 2022 CDP reporting has already been released, and the response platform will be available in early April. It's best practice for reporting organisations to begin the process of compiling data and supporting material as soon as possible, in order to be prepared for reporting requirements. 

Greenstone sponsor GreenBiz 2022 (February 15-17)

Greenstone is a proud sponsor of GreenBiz 22 in Arizona, USA in February 15-17. This three-day event positioned as the ‘premier annual event for sustainable business leaders’ is much anticipated by the sustainability community in North America.

Larry Fink of BlackRock’s 2022 letter to CEOs – key takeaways

Each year, Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, one of the largest asset management companies worldwide, releases a letter to CEOs. In this blog, we summarise some key points of Larry Fink’s 2022 letter to CEOs.

Private Equity Wire Awards shortlisting – Best ESG Solution Provider

We are delighted to announce that Greenstone has been shortlisted in the Private Equity Wire European Awards 2022 in the ‘Best ESG Solution Provider’ category.

Five sustainability, ESG and supply chain trends to watch in 2022

As we welcome in a New Year, the Greenstone team reflects on 2021 and its significance in areas of sustainability, ESG and responsible supply chains. This blog focuses on the top five trends to watch out for in 2022.

What does the Net-Zero Standard mean for science-based targets?

The SBTi recently launched the Net-Zero Standard, the world's first framework for corporate net-zero target formulation based on climate research, which has also introduced two new ways of articulating science-based targets: near-term and long-term.
This blog highlights what these new phrases represent and how they connect to more traditional science-based aims.

CDP reporting 2021 scores released

Last week, CDP released the 2021 scores for its Climate Change disclosures. Over 14,000 organisations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2021, including more than 13,000 companies worth over 64% of global market capitalisation, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions.

The ESG reporting landscape in North America – insights from the UK

Earlier this year, Greenstone opened its first North America office in New York as a result of the significant growth and ongoing momentum it is experiencing in the region. In this blog, we interview David Wynn Greenstone’s Managing Director North America about his journey from the UK to North America and what he is seeing in the ever-evolving ESG reporting landscape.

How to report GHG emissions from data centres and cloud services guide

Greenstone has published a guide on 'How to report GHG emissions from data centres and cloud services guide' designed to help sustainability and ESG professionals accurately measure and report GHG emissions from data centres and cloud services.

Greenstone sponsors the 2021 Value Reporting Foundation Symposium

Greenstone is proud to be sponsoring the 2021 Value Reporting Foundation Symposium, which will be held virtually on December 6-7, following the success of the long-running IIRC Conference and SASB Symposium.

Understanding the updated GRI Universal Standards 2021

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has announced the updated version of the Universal Standards - the global benchmarks for sustainability reporting that enable organisations to understand and report on their impacts. The GRI standards are a modular system and consist of three series of standards; revised Universal Standards, new Sector Standards, adapted Topic Standards.

IFRS announces International Sustainability Standards Board at COP26

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) was officially launched by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation today at the COP26 climate conference. As a SASB Materiality Map® and full standards licensee, Greenstone is pleased to share this landmark announcement regarding the future of centralised and universally uniform sustainability-related corporate disclosure. 

The TCFD recommendations and how they support a long-term ESG journey

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'The TCFD recommendations and how they support a long-term ESG journey' on Wednesday 1 December at 11am New York | 4pm London.

Science-Based Targets initiative launches new Net-Zero Standard

The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has announced the launch of the first science-based framework for companies to set net-zero targets - the Net-Zero Standard. The purpose of this new Standard will be to emphasise the importance of decarbonisation in corporate net-zero strategies.

Greenstone to speak on ESG data at Responsible Investment Forum Europe

Greenstone is proud to be speaking at the Responsible Investment Forum: Europe 2021 on Tuesday 9th November. The Responsible Investment Forum: Europe, co-hosted with the PRI, is the longest-running private equity forum focused on bringing together fund managers, institutional investors, and expert advisors to discuss ESG issues across alternative asset classes. The key themes for this year's two-day event will be climate change, the route to net-zero, and the rise of impact investing.

Greenstone announces Managing Partner appointments for North America

Last month, Greenstone opened its first North America office in New York as a result of the significant growth and ongoing momentum it is experiencing in the region. The team is growing fast and this week, Greenstone announces two senior hires to the team – Michael Kelly and Jamie Rantanen – who both join as Managing Partners.

GHG and carbon emissions and their role in limiting warming to 1.5°C

With the latest IPCC report, the much anticipated COP26 conference and almost constant news reports on the subject, climate change and the reduction of carbon now seem to be at the centre of most discussions. As our attention is turned towards the ways businesses can act now to limit warming to 1.5°C, some terms used can lead to confusion.

Greenstone opens NYC office to support strong growth in North America

Award-winning sustainability software solutions company, Greenstone, has opened its first North American office in New York, USA. This opening is in response to the significant growth and strong ongoing momentum Greenstone is experiencing in the North America market.

Unlocking ESG data to simplify the reporting challenge

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'Unlocking ESG data to simplify the reporting challenge' on Thursday 23 September at 11 am EST (4 pm UK).

This event is being held in conjunction with Climate Week NYC, taking place September 20-26. Hosted annually by international non-profit the Climate Group in conjunction with the United Nations, Climate Week NYC is a global opportunity to come together to accelerate climate action and assess progress ahead of COP26.

What is ‘double materiality’ and why should you consider it?

During the last year, significant progress was made on unifying sustainability reporting standards and terminology. After a long time of shifting viewpoints on what materiality means, who it is for and whether the sustainability sector should even use the term materiality, an agreement has begun to form that materiality is ‘double’ and dynamic.

Why procurement teams are seeking supply chain sustainability software

Procurement and supply chain management is evolving, and so are the ways businesses interact with their suppliers, manage their relationships with them, and make purchasing decisions.

COP26 and what it means for business

From the 31st of October to the 12th November 2021, the United Kingdom and Italy will co-host the 26th UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26) at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow. Heads of state and climate scientists will gather to agree on joint steps to combat climate change. As co-host of COP26, the United Kingdom has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions by 78 per cent by 2035.

In this blog, Greenstone will focus on the role of businesses and how they can actively act upon the goals set by COP26.

Greenstone’s software achieves Top Product of the Year for 4th year

Greenstone was announced today as winner of the Top Product of the Year 2021 award by Environment + Energy Leader. This is the fourth consecutive year Greenstone has been awarded this accolade, this year for its innovation in scope 3 reporting.

Greenstone publishes scope 3 emissions reporting guide

Greenstone has published a 'Scope 3 Emissions Reporting & Where to Start' guide to help sustainability professionals, responsible for sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting for their organisation, to better understand scope 3 emissions and how to start reporting in this area.

Why ESG data matters in private equity & how SFDR standards can help

The European Commission is soon expected to confirm the new Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) that define the shape of the ‘level 2’ ESG disclosures required under the new Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) from 2022.

In this blog post, we explore the metrics outlined in these standards, how the relevant data can be collected from portfolio companies, and how private equity managers can stay one step ahead by adopting these metrics to enhance their ESG capabilities.

How does TCFD align with CDP?

The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) was established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in 2015 to review how the financial sector could take account of climate-related issues. Chaired by Michael Bloomberg, the TCFD’s objective was to formulate a set of recommendations to help organisations understand and disclose their exposure to climate-related issues.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) in supply chains

Over the last few years, COVID-19 and the social justice movement have been stark reminders about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in all aspects of our society. The business world is no exception. Expectations placed on companies have increased and investor and consumer interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, including DE&I, have notably increased.

Scope 3 supply chain emissions – how to improve your supplier data

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'Scope 3 supply chain emissions – how to improve your supplier data' on Thursday 15th July
4pm BST.

Measuring and reducing scope 3 emissions (emissions from the value chain) has become a primary focus for companies, particularly those who have set science-based or net-zero targets. With this comes the challenge of data collection from parties outside of your company – in many cases from suppliers, who can make up a large proportion of scope 3 emissions.

IIRC and SASB form the Value Reporting Foundation

This week, the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) officially announced their merger to form the Value Reporting Foundation.

This merger is providing a comprehensive suite of tools to assess, manage and communicate value.

Reporting the impacts of COVID-19 in your environmental reports

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'Reporting the impacts of COVID-19 in your environmental reports' on Tuesday 29 June at 4pm BST.

Managing and reporting environmental data during the global COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge challenge for those responsible for their company’s sustainability reporting. On Tuesday 29 June at 4pm BST, Greenstone is holding a webinar providing some advice and guidance on how to report the impacts of COVID-19 in environmental reports.

Measuring scope 3 supply chain emissions - choosing the right method

As we have covered in some of our recent blogs – ‘Scope 3 GHG emissions explained’ and ‘4 key steps to starting your scope 3 emissions reporting journey’ – there is both a significant need as well as a significant challenge in understanding an organisation’s value chain (or scope 3) emissions.

The importance of data in achieving net-zero & science-based targets

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'The importance of data in achieving net-zero & science-based targets' on Tuesday 15 June at 4pm BST.

With a notable surge in the setting of net-zero and science-based targets, comes a new set of challenges around data. Accessing and reporting accurate data to support and track progress against these ambitious climate targets is becoming an increasing challenge for most companies.

4 key steps to starting your scope 3 emissions reporting journey

Measuring and reporting scope 3 GHG emissions accurately is a key topic for most businesses and one that’s becoming increasingly important as more organisations commit to ambitious emissions reduction targets such as Science Based Targets or Net Zero Targets.

As part of its scope 3 reporting series, Greenstone held a webinar on 22 April, covering the increased reporting of scope 3 emissions as well as the challenges that your business might come across during the process of measuring and reporting. In this blog, we cover some of the challenges that companies face when reporting scope 3 emissions, 4 key steps on where to start and some top tips to help companies prepare.

Hypertherm advances sustainability & supply chain data with software

Greenstone has been working with global manufacturer Hypertherm to improve the company’s data management across its global locations and supply chain. Through the use of Greenstone’s sustainability reporting software and sustainable supply chain software solutions, Hypertherm has been able to streamline data collection and access the accurate data required to set ambitious goals for 2030. Read the project case study below.

How sustainability software can help you achieve your long-term goals

The non-financial, ESG, sustainability and CSR reporting landscape is constantly evolving. As regulatory sustainability reporting frameworks and investor requests increase, we see more and more companies adding to their commitments and establishing long-term global sustainability reporting strategies. The ability to provide assurance for sustainability risk management and ensure that their company has access to reliable data to report to business stakeholders has become one of the main focal points.

Yet, deciding on a sustainability reporting software solution to support the ongoing management of sustainability and ESG data is often considered a process far more daunting than it really is. In this blog post, we break down how finding the right sustainability reporting software can support your company’s reporting and help you achieve your sustainability goals.

GRI and SASB reporting ‘complement each other’

Last week, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) released 'A Practical Guide to Sustainability Reporting Using GRI and SASB Standards'. This guide shares the results of joint research from GRI and SASB, where they explore the experiences of companies that use the two sets of standards together to fulfil their reporting needs.

Greenstone present on ESG software at sustainable finance event

On Monday 26 April, Greenstone will be presenting on ‘Software Solutions for ESG and Private Equity’ at the Wall Street Green Summit 2021.

The Wall Street Green Summit is one of the longest running and most comprehensive sustainable finance events in the industry globally. Launched in 2002, the Wall Street Green Summit covers cutting edge content, industry developments and features the leading practitioners in sustainability. It is aimed at building the sustainable finance system for responsible investing and the changing role of business in sustainability.

The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)

The new Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) has made a notable entry into the sustainable finance sphere. This new regulation, which formally came into force on 10 March 2021, requires all financial market participants in the European Union (EU) to report Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures, with additional requirements for products that promote ESG characteristics or that have sustainable investment objectives.

Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions explained

As more and more organisations set ambitious reduction targets, it is becoming increasingly essential that they are able to measure and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their value chain.

How to measure and report scope 3 GHG emissions accurately - webinar

Greenstone is holding a webinar on 'How to measure and report scope 3 GHG emissions accurately' on Thursday 22 April at 4pm GMT.

As more and more organisations set ambitious science-based and net-zero reduction targets, it is becoming increasingly essential that they are able to measure and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their value chain (scope 3 emissions).

What impact has COVID-19 had on supply chains & responsible sourcing?

One of the most publicised and immediate impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic was and still is, the impact on supply chains. Everything impacted supply chains - from the restrictions being placed on the movement of people and the ways in which goods could be transported, to the human impact of the virus that meant it became more challenging to produce goods and deliver services.

Webinar - 5 software features to help you improve your CDP reporting

Greenstone and CDP are holding a webinar on ‘5 software features to help you improve your CDP reporting’ on Wednesday 17 March at 4pm GMT. This webinar, hosted by CDP, is part of the ‘CDP Bitesize’ series delivered by CDP’s gold accredited solution providers.

CDP reporting 2021 – what’s changed since last year

With CDP reporting season looming, CDP has published its 2021 CDP reporting guidance and released its 2021 questionnaire on Climate Change. The deadline for submissions is 28 July 2021, and the Online Response System (ORS) will open for users to start entering their information on 12 April 2021.

Tracking GHG emissions across investment portfolios - a new frontier

Greenstone is holding the webinar ‘Tracking GHG emissions across investment portfolios - a new frontier’ on Thursday 25 March at 4 pm GMT. This webinar, presented by Greenstone’s Head of InvestorPortal Toby Robertson, will discuss how collecting and managing GHG emissions data from portfolio companies is becoming increasingly important and provide advice on where to start.

Preparing your data for the EU Taxonomy regulation

The EU Commission's Taxonomy Regulation passed into law in June 2020, marking a significant step in sustainable finance. Now, as we have entered into 2021, companies are about to face their first milestone. The deadline for businesses to report on the taxonomy criteria is now imminent as some participants (in the financial market) will be required to complete their first set of disclosures against the Taxonomy by the 31st of December 2021.

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) releases 2020 progress report

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) recently released an annual progress report “From ambition to impact: How companies are cutting emissions at scale with science-based targets”. This report aims to reflect and report on the five years of progress in setting science-based climate goals and setting a baseline for the decade of ambition ahead.

Greenstone publishes UN Global Compact communication on progress 2021

Greenstone has published its annual Communication on Progress (COP) to the UN Global Compact. Through this COP report, Greenstone reaffirms its commitment to making the UN Global Compact and its principles part of the strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of its company.

SASB standards & how they link to other ESG reporting frameworks -FAQs

Greenstone’s webinar on the 'SASB standards & how they link to other ESG reporting frameworks' was held last month. The 30-minute session, with a guest speaker from SASB, was very well-attended and we had great feedback from attendees.

We had some interesting questions both during and after the webinar. In this blog, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic:

Blackrock’s 2021 letter to CEOs and what is means for ESG reporting

Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, an American multinational investment management corporation, has released his annual letter to CEOs.

The events of 2020 and the need for companies to transition to a net-zero economy, shaped this year’s letter. The past months have been challenging in so many ways. Nonetheless, there are signs of promise, including businesses that have moved forcefully to face climate risk.

How to prepare for CDP reporting in 2021- webinar

The CDP reporting cycle seems to come around quickly each year. The 2021 CDP reporting guidance has already been published and the response system will open in early April. Now is the time for reporting organisations to start collecting and preparing data and supporting information to avoid last minute panic.

Greenstone is holding a 30-minute webinar on 'How to prepare for CDP reporting in 2021' on Thursday 25th February at 11am ET / 4pm GMT. With a guest speaker from CDP, this webinar will discuss CDP reporting for 2021, how to prepare and some tips on how to improve on last years' response.

Top 5 sustainability, ESG & supply chain reporting trends for 2021

With the turn of a New Year, sustainability, ESG and supply chain software solutions provider Greenstone, reflects on 2020 and pulls out some key reporting trends to watch out for in 2021. Here are the top 5:

SASB standards & how they link to other ESG reporting frameworks

Greenstone is holding a webinar, with a guest speaker from SASB, on the SASB Standards and how they link to other sustainability and ESG reporting frameworks on Thursday 28 January 2021 at 12pm EST.

There are many reporting frameworks that help companies measure and report sustainability information to a wide range of stakeholders. What distinguishes SASB standards is a focus on financially material information covering a range of industry-specific sustainability areas, including Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) topics.

CDP reporting 2020 scores released

This week CDP released scores for its 2020 Climate Change disclosures. A record-breaking 9,600+ companies disclosed through CDP in 2020, a 70% increase since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 and 14% up on last year.

Greenstone would like to congratulate its clients and partners who have worked hard to improve or maintain their score from last year, and those who were included on the prestigious CDP ‘A List’.

Reporting the impact of COVID-19 in your climate change disclosures

The global COVID-19 pandemic is set to cause the largest ever annual fall in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the dramatic change in the way we all have lived and worked over the past year. However, the fluctuation in climate data has been a huge challenge for those responsible for their organisation’s sustainability reporting.

Greenstone recently presented at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)’s Virtual Summit on how to report the impacts of COVID-19 in climate change disclosures. In this blog, Greenstone reflects on the impact that COVID-19 has had so far on climate change disclosures, some of the key challenges that companies are facing, and some solutions that we are seeing from our work at Greenstone, and the industry generally. 

KPMG survey on global trends in sustainability reporting

KPMG released its 11th edition of the KPMG Survey of Sustainability Reporting this week. This annual survey has tracked monumental changes in sustainability reporting since the survey was first published in 1993. This year, KPMG professionals reviewed sustainability reporting from 5,200 companies across 52 countries and jurisdictions, making this the most extensive survey in the series to date.

Greenstone’s 2030 science-based target approved by SBTi

Greenstone’s 2030 science-based emissions reduction target has been approved, as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The SBTi is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets. Greenstone has formally joined the movement and set a target to reduce its absolute scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 50% by 2030, and to measure and reduce its scope 3 emissions.

Greenstone launches SASB licensed content in ESG software solutions

Greenstone has recently integrated the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards into its award-winning sustainability and ESG software solutions. In partnership with SASB, Greenstone now licenses the SASB metrics, topics and technical protocols to enable its clients to use the SASB framework when reporting on their ESG impacts and risks.

How to report the impacts of COVID-19 - Greenstone at GRI Summit

Greenstone will be speaking at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)'s Virtual Summit 2020 next week on how to report the impacts of COVID-19 in climate change disclosures. The virtual summit, held on Tuesday 3  November at 9am GMT gathers sustainability professionals for a half-day online conference covering key topics and recent developments in the sustainability reporting space.

Science-based targets and net-zero commitments - FAQs

Climate Week NYC 2020 was held last month and this year’s edition was certainly one to remember. Not only was it held entirely online, but the week of events included ambitious commitments from some of the biggest names. Most notably, the University of Cambridge announced a net-zero target by 2038, Facebook committed to a net-zero target by 2030 and Walmart, the world’s largest company, outlined plans to be 100% carbon neutral by 2040 (without using carbon offsets).

Webinar - the value and impact of Supplier Codes of Conduct

Greenstone, in partnership with Ardea International and the University of Westminster Business School, is hosting a webinar on the value and impact of Supplier Codes of Conduct on Thursday 12th November at 4pm GMT. 

A code of conduct is a set of guidelines for suppliers that defines the company’s relationship with a supplier and lays out the behavioural and procedural standards required of them. It is a voluntary document from the company’s perspective, but it is often mandated as part of their contract that suppliers agree to the terms and principles laid out in the code.

Becoming a responsible business – interview with Fujitsu

In this interview, recently published on CDP's blog, Greenstone talks to two leaders at Fujitsu to discuss its journey towards becoming a responsible business, and the importance of reliable data to support it. 

In 2019, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its special report into the global impact of temperatures rising at 1.5°C degrees above pre-industrial levels. As a result, the business sector and corporate leaders face mounting pressure to address their impact on the climate and demonstrate how they are taking action to their stakeholders, consumers, employees and investors.

Global sustainability reporting frameworks guide

Greenstone has published a Sustainability Reporting Frameworks Guide to help companies understand and navigate the global sustainability reporting landscape.