Professionalise your data architecture: financial, operational and sustainability data belong in one integrated management system <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Driving without data is like driving at night without a dashboard: you may feel like you\u2019re moving forward \u2013 but you don\u2019t know how fast you\u2019re going, whether you have enough fuel, or even if you\u2019re on the right road.<\/p>\n That\u2019s exactly how many companies experience sustainability: there\u2019s a lot happening \u2013 measures, projects, first GHG balances, supply chain questionnaires \u2013 but the dashboard is missing.<\/p>\n The basic principle is simple: you can only manage what you measure \u2013 and you can only credibly demonstrate what you manage.<\/strong><\/p>\n Without consistent ESG data, progress remains invisible, discussions with banks and customers stay vague, and every new request feels like a new mini-project.<\/p>\n At the same time, the demand for data from outside is growing:<\/strong><\/p>\n Supply chain (CSRD, CSDDD, German Supply Chain Act & more)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Rating requests (e.g. EcoVadis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Management systems (EMAS, ISO 14001\/50001)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Banks and funding bodies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Voluntary reports such as the VSME standard<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Nearly everywhere, the same basic data is requested: energy, CO\u2082, waste, water, selected social indicators, supplier information. Many companies still respond to these requirements with individual Excel files, isolated solutions or email-based coordination.<\/p>\n The result: high effort, inconsistent numbers, little added value.<\/strong><\/p>\n The real lever is not to collect \u201ceven more data\u201d<\/strong>, but to structure and consolidate existing ESG data properly \u2013 and then use it for multiple purposes:<\/p>\n One central data set, many evaluations<\/strong>: for meetings with your bank, supply chain questionnaires, EcoVadis, EMAS\/ISO and the VSME report.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n One set of indicators<\/strong> that management and department heads agree on \u2013 instead of estimating everything from scratch each time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n One data logic<\/strong> that connects to financial and operational figures instead of running beside them.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This is a decisive point, especially for SMEs: On the basis of this core, ESG controlling becomes manageable \u2013 without turning it into a major project.<\/p>\n One possible starting approach:<\/p>\n Link energy and GHG data to cost centres\/cost units<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Connect material, waste and returns data with unit costs and margins<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Store supplier ESG scores in procurement\/ERP<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Use ESG indicators regularly in management reporting better financing conditions and ratings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n stronger position in value chains<\/p>\n<\/li>\n visibly lower costs (energy, materials, disposal)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n lower greenwashing risk thanks to verifiable statements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Step by step, ESG data management \u2013 including GHG balance, climate risks, circularity indicators as well as social and governance data \u2013 becomes a management instrument on a par with financial controlling.<\/strong><\/p>\n And this is exactly where the added value for SMEs arises: less effort, more transparency \u2013 and measurable economic benefits in terms of costs, financing, market opportunities and reputation.<\/strong><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] To get started, you don\u2019t need a complex system, but a clearly defined core \u2013 ideally aligned with the VSME standard:<\/p>\n Energy consumption (electricity, heat, fuels)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n GHG balance (at least Scope 1 + 2, relevant parts of Scope 3)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Waste volumes including recycling\/reuse<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Water withdrawal (especially in water-intensive industries \/ regions with water stress)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Material input (e.g. per product\/site)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Scrap, offcuts and returns<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Waste for reuse, recycling or disposal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Number and structure of employees (contracts, full-time\/part-time, gender)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Staff turnover, sick leave, workplace accidents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Apprenticeship ratio, training hours per employee<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Remuneration (compliance with minimum wage\/collective agreements)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Gender pay gap (where reasonably measurable)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Incidents\/fines related to corruption\/bribery<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Revenue in sensitive sectors (e.g. fossil fuels, tobacco, controversial weapons, pesticides)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Gender ratio in the management body<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Basic policies (anti-corruption, whistleblowing, human rights)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Simple ESG assessment of key suppliers (location, industry, volume, certificates, basic ESG standards)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Initial assessment of climate risks (physical & transition risks) for sites and business model<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This is the data foundation on which almost all external requests are built \u2013 regardless of whether they come from banks, major customers, rating agencies or a voluntary VSME report.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The \u201ccircular economy\u201d example shows clearly that sustainability data has always been \u2013 and will remain \u2013 part of our performance data:<\/p>\n From ESG data to hard euro effects: circular economy in practice<\/strong><\/p>\n The benefits become particularly visible when circularity data is connected to financial data:<\/p>\n Material input per product \u00d7 purchase price<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Scrap, offcuts and returns \u00d7 disposal\/destruction costs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Reused or refurbished products \u00d7 achievable sales price<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If this information is properly stored in the ERP and controlling systems, SMEs can see, for example:<\/p>\n How much do our unit costs decrease if we reduce scrap by 10%?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n How much disposal cost do we save through reuse\/recycling?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n What contribution margin do refurbishment or take-back programmes generate?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Circular economy thus shifts from being a \u201csustainability topic\u201d to a clearly measurable question of results and margins.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Foundational article: ESG as a success factor<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Circularity \u2013 the 3rd ESG lever for medium-sized companies:<\/strong> Die Pl\u00e4tze sind auf maximal 20 Teilnehmer:innen begrenzt. Dies erm\u00f6glicht uns einen besseren Austausch und auch die M\u00f6glichkeit, auf alle Fragen einzugehen.<\/p>\n F\u00fcr eine bessere Planung ist die Anmeldung verbindlich. Sollte dennoch nach Anmeldung etwas dazwischenkommen und die Teilnahme nicht m\u00f6glich sein, bitten wir um eine schnellstm\u00f6gliche Absage unter a.unger@terra-institute.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Die Kosten f\u00fcr die zwei Hoff\u00fchrungen und Verk\u00f6stigung werden vom Projekt \u00fcbernommen. Die Fahrtkosten sowie die Organisation der Anfahrt, Abfahrt und Transport zwischen den H\u00f6fen sind von den Teilnehmer:innen selbst zu \u00fcbernehmen. Bei einem JA im Formular teilen wir die Kontaktdaten der Teilnehmer:innen, um Fahrgemeinschaften zu erm\u00f6glichen.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” module_id=”anmeldung” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] Dann schicken Sie uns doch gerne eine Nachricht mit Ihren Fragen an office@terra-institute.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bei gen\u00fcgend Interessent:innen werden wir das Webinar erneut veranstalten.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”22px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”1px||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_button button_url=”#anmeldung” button_text=”Zur Anmeldung” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] Die Pl\u00e4tze sind auf maximal 20 Teilnehmer:innen begrenzt. Dies erm\u00f6glicht uns einen besseren Austausch und auch die M\u00f6glichkeit, auf alle Fragen einzugehen.<\/p>\n F\u00fcr eine bessere Planung ist die Anmeldung verbindlich. Sollte dennoch nach Anmeldung etwas dazwischenkommen und die Teilnahme nicht m\u00f6glich sein, bitten wir um eine schnellstm\u00f6gliche Absage unter a.unger@terra-institute.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Die Kosten f\u00fcr die zwei Hoff\u00fchrungen und Verk\u00f6stigung werden vom Projekt \u00fcbernommen. Die Fahrtkosten sowie die Organisation der Anfahrt, Abfahrt und Transport zwischen den H\u00f6fen sind von den Teilnehmer:innen selbst zu \u00fcbernehmen. Bei einem JA im Formular teilen wir die Kontaktdaten der Teilnehmer:innen, um Fahrgemeinschaften zu erm\u00f6glichen.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” module_id=”anmeldung” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] Dann schicken Sie uns doch gerne eine Nachricht mit Ihren Fragen an office@terra-institute.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bei gen\u00fcgend Interessent:innen werden wir das Webinar erneut veranstalten.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]\n
The difference is usually just the format \u2013 not the content.<\/p>\n\n
Those who have their ESG data under control reduce effort, improve financing conditions, strengthen their position in tenders \u2013 and protect themselves from accusations of greenwashing (see EmpCo).<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
A pragmatic starting point for SMEs<\/h3>\n
\n
<\/strong><\/span>Define central KPIs for climate\/environment, resources, employees, governance and supply chain \u2013 aligned with typical requirements (banks, supply chain, VSME), but deliberately lean.
<\/span>\u2192\u00a0<\/span>Benefit:<\/span><\/i> clarity about what really matters in the company.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
<\/span>Define who provides which figures (technical services\/facility management, production, HR, procurement, controlling) \u2013 plus a coordinating ESG\/data owner.
<\/span>\u2192\u00a0<\/span>Benefit:<\/span><\/i> fewer ad-hoc requests, less \u201cdata chasing\u201d, more reliability.<\/span>
<\/span><\/li>\n
<\/span>Set up a central ESG database (initially often a well-designed spreadsheet or a simple tool), from which, among other things, the GHG balance, circularity indicators and S and G data are derived.
<\/span>\u2192\u00a0<\/span>Benefit:<\/span><\/i> collect data properly once, use it multiple times \u2013 for banks, customers, EcoVadis, EMAS\/ISO, VSME.<\/span>
<\/strong><\/li>\n\n
\u2192\u00a0<\/span>Benefit:<\/span><\/i> sustainability is managed in the same way as costs, revenue and cash.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
<\/span>Incorporate ESG and GHG data into investment decisions, supplier selection, risk analysis and tender processes:
<\/span>\u2192\u00a0<\/span>Benefit:<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Which data really matters for SMEs?<\/h3>\n
Climate & environment<\/h4>\n
\n
Resources & circular economy<\/h4>\n
\n
Employees & social data<\/h4>\n
\n
Governance & supply chain<\/h4>\n
\n
<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
From ESG data to real euro effects: the example of circular economy<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Further reading<\/h3>\n
Links to this and all other levers can be found in Kim M\u00fchl\u2019s article \u201cESG as a success factor\u201d.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Teilnehmeranzahl begrenzt!<\/h3>\n
Verbindlichkeit<\/h3>\n
Kosten und Transport<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Webinar verpasst?<\/h3>\n
Author<\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/terra-institute.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Margit-Holzhammer.jpg” alt=”Portrait Margit Holzhammer” title_text=”Margit Holzhammer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]
Teilnehmeranzahl begrenzt!<\/h3>\n
Verbindlichkeit<\/h3>\n
Kosten und Transport<\/h3>\n
<\/h3>\n
Webinar verpasst?<\/h3>\n