The extreme weather around the world is becoming a big problem. Extreme weather events such as floods, forest fires and thunderstorms have increased worldwide in recent years.
To buffer the effects of climate change, a variety of measures must be taken. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the most important. There is no doubt that carbon emissions from the world’s main industries need to decline quickly. And while companies have had to comply with environmental regulations for decades, the sharpened focus on climate change means that environmental accounting has important applications beyond compliance. Companies must learn to manage their GHG emissions efficiently, report them transparently and work actively to reduce them and meet sustainability goals.
Beyond compliance: transforming data into action
Many companies and EHS leaders get stuck on a compliance treadmill, collecting and validating mountains of environmental data for air, water and waste. Compiling endless sustainability and regulatory reports, especially in large multinational organizations, can be a resource-draining process. It’s no wonder so many environment, health and safety (EHS) teams feel exhausted at the end of the reporting cycle.
But here’s the catch: When the data is used only for compliance, companies miss the opportunity to use it for strategic insights. Businesses need to move beyond basic compliance to fulfill sustainability pledges and address broader strategic initiatives, and data provides the foundation for these activities.
The good news? Businesses can achieve compliance and performance improvements with a streamlined effort. The key lies in transforming collected data into actionable insights, and companies can accomplish this with smart software solutions. With the right tools, high-frequency data collection and data-to-information translation become easier. EHS teams can break free from data overload and focus on high-value activities such as:
- Identifying inefficiency hotspots by pinpointing areas for waste reduction, process optimization and energy savings.
- Partnering with operations teams by collaborating on actionable sustainability initiatives with direct impact.
- Making data-driven decisions by gaining insights to inform strategic actions and drive real progress.
By unlocking the power of their data, EHS teams can move beyond compliance fatigue and become champions of sustainability and strategic performance improvement.
