Leveraging Data in Sustainability Reporting for Competitive Advantage

This compelling event solidified the viewpoint that leveraging data in sustainability reporting is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a strategy to gain a competitive edge. It will become increasingly critical for businesses to begin gathering and reporting data, as the European Union is actively formulating regulations to ensure that environmental statements are data-backed. Consequently, this will mandate compliance from Swiss firms, whether due to their direct influence or as part of another entity’s scope 3 emissions. Insights from various companies, big and small, underscore the importance of maintaining transparency and fostering cooperation when it comes to sustainability data.

Highlights from the evening included:

• Baptiste Carriere-Pradal of 2BPolicy provided a thorough overview of crucial EU sustainability reporting policies, including CSRD, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, EU Green Claims, and ESPR Principles. His presentation served as a valuable guide to the current status of climate policy in the EU.
• Nic Meyer, CEO of ecoinvent, highlighted the growing importance of high-quality, transparent data in the wake of increasing regulations. His vision of “More regulation means more data” underscores the changing landscape of performance metrics and emerging opportunities.
• Res Witschi of Swisscom gave insights into Swisscom’s approach to embedding sustainability into their core strategy, notably their digitalization of carbon footprint data, aiming for a tangible reduction in their environmental impact.
• Matteo Trachsel of Thermoplan shared how this Swiss family business integrates sustainability at every level, particularly through life cycle assessments of all their machines – a testament to their environmental commitment.
• Simone Thompson of CLIMADA Technologies spoke about fostering a global mindset shift towards sustainable business practices, underlying the vision and mission of her company.