Introduction

As corporate accountability and stakeholder demands for transparency intensify, mastering BI for ESG and Sustainability Reporting has become an essential capability for modern businesses seeking to manage environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance with precision and strategic foresight. This comprehensive training course is designed to bridge the gap between sustainability strategy and actionable data analytics, empowering professionals to leverage powerful Business Intelligence (BI) tools to collect, analyze, and visualize complex ESG data, thereby moving beyond manual reporting to create dynamic, compliant, and insight-rich dashboards. By equipping participants with the skills to identify key sustainability metrics, build robust data models, and communicate their organization's impact with clarity, the program ensures that ESG initiatives are not just a compliance exercise but a catalyst for genuine value creation and enhanced brand reputation in a competitive marketplace.

Duration

5 days

Target Audience

• ESG and Sustainability Managers
• BI Developers and Data Analysts
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Officers
• Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Professionals
• Compliance and Risk Management Specialists
• Investor Relations and Communications Officers
• Business Leaders and Department Heads
• Financial Analysts and Auditors
• Consultants specializing in sustainability
• Anyone responsible for measuring and reporting on ESG performance

Objectives

• Understand the fundamentals of ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks.
• Master the process of collecting, validating, and integrating diverse ESG data.
• Learn to select and utilize appropriate BI platforms for sustainability reporting.
• Develop proficiency in creating interactive dashboards for ESG metrics.
• Explore advanced analytical techniques to uncover insights from sustainability data.
• Understand the requirements of key reporting standards and regulations.
• Learn to communicate ESG performance effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop skills in using BI to drive strategic decisions for a more sustainable future.

Course Content

Module 1. Foundations of ESG and Sustainability Reporting

• The importance of ESG and sustainability in today’s business world
• Overview of major reporting frameworks and standards (GRI, SASB, TCFD)
• Understanding the key pillars: Environmental, Social, and Governance
• The role of data in demonstrating corporate commitment and transparency
• Moving from traditional reporting to data-driven, real-time insights

Module 2. ESG Data Strategy and Collection

• Identifying and defining relevant sustainability KPIs for your organization
• Mapping data sources: operational systems, spreadsheets, third-party providers
• Designing a data collection plan and workflow
• Ensuring data quality, accuracy, and completeness for ESG metrics
• Strategies for automating data integration and reducing manual effort

Module 3. BI Platform Selection and Data Integration for ESG

• Evaluating leading BI platforms for their ESG reporting capabilities
• Key features to look for: data connectors, visualization, and security
• Connecting to and consolidating data from disparate sources (e.g., energy consumption, employee data, supply chain)
• Using ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes for sustainability data
• Building a scalable data architecture for future ESG needs

Module 4. Data Modeling for ESG Metrics

• Principles of effective data modeling for sustainability reporting
• Creating relationships between different data tables (e.g., emissions data and facility data)
• Building a star schema for efficient analysis of ESG metrics
• Defining calculated measures and custom columns (e.g., emissions per employee)
• Ensuring data is structured for both compliance reporting and strategic analysis

Module 5. Creating Effective ESG Dashboards and Visualizations

• Dashboard design best practices for clear and impactful communication
• Choosing the right chart types to represent sustainability data (e.g., gauges for targets, maps for geographical data)
• Creating interactive elements like filters and drill-downs for user exploration
• Designing different dashboards for different audiences (e.g., executive, investor, operational)
• Storytelling with data: Using visuals to highlight progress and challenges

Module 6. Performance Analysis and Insights

• Analyzing trends in ESG performance over time
• Benchmarking your organization against industry peers and targets
• Using BI to identify areas of risk and opportunity in your ESG performance
• Conducting root cause analysis for performance fluctuations
• Generating actionable insights to inform sustainability strategy and initiatives

Module 7. Compliance and Reporting Standards with BI

• Mapping your data and visualizations to specific reporting framework requirements
• Ensuring auditability and data governance for compliance
• Using BI to streamline the annual reporting process
• Automating the generation of recurring compliance reports
• Preparing data for investor and regulatory scrutiny

Module 8. Advanced Analytics and Future Trends in ESG

• Introduction to advanced analytics for ESG (e.g., predictive modeling)
• Using machine learning to forecast future environmental impact
• The role of AI in analyzing unstructured data (e.g., social media sentiment)
• Exploring real-time ESG monitoring and alerts
• Future trends in ESG data and technology.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.