Sustainability teams are facing growing pressure: deliver more data, faster, at lower cost – while preparing for an AI-powered future.
In a new article for the Forbes Technology Council, GLYNT.AI CEO Martha Amram outlines what it takes to make sustainability data work in today’s business environment. She introduces five essential characteristics – the “Five A’s” – that set the foundation for success.
#1 – Accurate Data
Sustainability data deserves the same rigor as financial data. Yet too often, information is scattered across silos, PDFs, and spreadsheets, making it hard to confirm accuracy and completeness. The solution? Apply financial-grade standards to sustainability data, backed by proper checks, validations, and domain expertise.
#2 – Abundant Data
The scale has shifted dramatically. A few years ago, teams managed ~7,200 data points annually. Today, the demand has soared to 70,000–90,000 detailed data points per year – fueling decisions across operations, finance, and compliance. Spreadsheets can’t keep up. Scalable, modern systems are now a necessity to hold, manage and report on these massive amounts of data.#3 – AI-Ready Data
AI thrives on context. To unlock value, sustainability data must be connected with business and financial data. This integration enables AI to answer critical questions – such as which sites have the highest energy costs and why – and to turn raw data into actionable insights.#4 – Audit-Ready Data
Regulators, investors, and customers are scrutinizing sustainability reports more than ever. Audit-ready records – chain of custody, data lineage, change logs – reduce the cost and time of audits while ensuring credibility. Standards such as ISO 14064 and ISSB 5000 are setting the bar, echoing the rigor of financial audits.#5 – Automation
Manual processes don’t scale. Just as Sarbanes-Oxley pushed financial reporting into automation 25 years ago, sustainability is undergoing the same transformation. Companies that automate today will enjoy lower compliance costs and reliable, finance-grade data year after year.The Bottom Line
The Five A’s aren’t optional – they’re the blueprint for turning sustainability from a compliance exercise into a center of business value. Companies that act now will be prepared not just for audits and regulations, but for the opportunities of an AI-powered future.Read the full article in Forbes: The Five A’s Of Sustainability Data
Want to see how GLYNT.AI delivers on all Five A’s? Our automated sustainability data service prepares finance-grade data on energy, water, waste, and emissions—ready for business, compliance, and AI. Let’s talk
