How you can respond to intensifying regulation in the field of sustainability while creating lasting additional economic value
In today’s business environment, the importance of sustainability cannot be overstated; no company can afford to overlook it. This is partly driven by pressure from investors, consumers and business partners. Another major catalyst is regulation: requirements such as the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU Taxonomy, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz, or LkSG) and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) make sustainability reporting mandatory for many companies.
However, this is not only about meeting short-term legal requirements. It is also about seizing the opportunity to equip the organisation with a future-proof sustainability IT architecture that enables value generation through ESG and sustainability data
“Organisations can no longer depend on manual methods, informal procedures, or spreadsheets, as these approaches hinder compliance with harmonized regulatory standards and reduce auditability. To address this, companies must enhance their technical infrastructure and processes while integrating modern IT solutions. This strategic approach is essential for effectively managing, controlling, and evaluating ESG and sustainability performance over the long term.”
By leveraging modern sustainability technologies, companies can meet ESG requirements and other regulatory challenges efficiently and in a future‑proof manner. Our experts support you with the necessary expertise in regulation, sustainability and IT to guide your company in establishing a suitable IT architecture for your sustainable transformation.
With efficient data acquisition and reporting, we help you to comply with sustainability standards.
We develop solutions for sustainability planning and integrate ESG data into financial planning and management.
We develop solutions for carbon calculations (Scope 1 to 3, PCF), carbon accounting and net zero initiatives.
Together we design sustainable supply chains and integrate sustainability requirements into your IT landscape.
We develop and implement EHS solutions to minimise risks and achieve your sustainability goals.
We find the ideal IT solutions for your sustainability management, customised to your needs.
Through automated data collection processes, we optimise your ESG data strategies and analyses in a sustainable manner.
We use AI to optimise sustainability strategies and automate data analyses for informed decisions.
We ensure the integrity of your sustainability technologies and advise you on the implementation of appropriate controls.
We accompany the implementation of your sustainability solutions from concept to go-live.
We support you in the digitalisation and integration of regulatory requirements
Recent years have been marked by growing regulatory requirements that place a strong focus on reporting, such as the EU Taxonomy, CSRD and CBAM regulations. These requirements emphasise the necessity of comprehensive, transparent sustainability reporting that considers both quantitative and qualitative data points.
On top of this, regulations are also emerging whose scope extends beyond pure reporting and increasingly focuses on operational aspects of the supply chain. The German LkSG and the European CSDDD prioritise obligations related to environmental protection and human rights. Meanwhile, the EUDR and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) require businesses to tackle issues like recycling capacities, reusability and ensure that products and packaging are deforestation-free.
Technical tools are essential for successfully meeting these diverse requirements. Sustainability technologies make it possible to effectively acquire and process ESG data for different use cases and regulations. They support the tracing of products and materials, and ensure that acquired data can be used to meet regulatory requirements. Smart data management and integrated systems play a crucial role in providing and using data efficiently for reporting and operational applications. This in turn enables businesses not only to ensure compliance, but also to gain strategic business benefits from the new operational requirements.
Given this context, it is not a surprise that the market for sustainability technologies promises enormous growth. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, this segment is expected to grow to €57 million by 2030, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of around 21% by 2030.
1. Data management and analysis: Centralised data management simplifies the collection and analysis of large quantities of data, and promotes the optimisation of sustainability strategies and reporting through the use of AI.
2. Automation and digitalisation: Sustainability technologies and data management enable the optimisation and automation of processes like reporting and promote digitalisation and sustainable business models.
3. Integration and transparency: The integration of sustainability into the existing system landscape improves ESG and financial planning, enables transparency in operational processes and supports sustainable corporate decision-making.
4. Risk management and compliance: Sustainability technologies support businesses in adhering to legal and ethical standards. Automated controls and early warning systems flag risks in the supply chain at an early stage.
5. Environmental protection and efficiency enhancement: The deployment of automation and sustainability technologies contributes considerably to reducing resource consumption and minimising the ecological footprint.
At the “ESG in Focus” event at our Experience Centre in Frankfurt we got together with our technology partners SAP and around 50 clients to shed light on ESG topics and their implementation from a technological perspective. Inspiring discussions, practical client presentations and dynamic breakout sessions provided valuable insights for the business world. Watch our video and experience the highlights and fascinating insights!
“To ensure that sustainability initiatives are not merely perceived as regulatory obligations, smart data usage and the identification of value-adding use cases are required. Integrated and automated data management is particularly important in this regard.”
Thomas Hampel,Partner, Transformation, PwC Germany
Gunther Dütsch
Partner, Sustainability Services & Climate Change, PwC Germany
Tel: +49 160 3739019
