The Role of Data in ESG: Moving Beyond Spreadsheets

As ESG expectations grow, so too does the demand for reliable, auditable data. Yet many organisations still manage sustainability metrics through manual spreadsheets — creating risk, inefficiency, and inconsistency. 

1. The limits of spreadsheets 

Manual data handling increases the risk of error and reduces traceability. It’s difficult to audit, scale, or verify. 

2. The shift to structured data 

Leading organisations are implementing ESG data frameworks that define ownership, frequency, and validation protocols. 

3. Integration with existing systems 

ESG metrics should be collected and analysed alongside financial data. Integrating with ERP or finance systems allows for consistent, comparable reporting. 

4. The power of dashboards 

Dynamic dashboards transform ESG data into actionable insights for executives and boards — turning performance tracking into real-time management. 

5. The result 

Structured data isn’t just for compliance — it improves decision-making, enables assurance, and strengthens stakeholder trust. 

Nexus ESG Advisory designs ESG data frameworks and dashboards to help organisations report with confidence and accuracy.