Greenhouse Gas and ESG Data Assurance
American Multinational Conglomerate • Global
Solution Overview
Client:
American multinational conglomerate
Business Challenge:
- Assure a wide variety of data across complex manufacturing operations
Solution:
- Experienced team of professionals with industry-specific technical knowledge
Results:
- On time delivery of assurance reports and identification of areas for improvement
Challenge
The client has global operations that manufacture a wide variety of products including hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), adhesives, tapes, consumer goods, medical goods, and industrial materials. To meet stakeholder expectations and several international requirements, they pursue assurance for a range of metrics including water, waste, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy, safety, technical metrics (inclusion of sustainability in new products), and various social metrics (community engagement, etc.) to an AA1000AS Type 2 Moderate level of assurance, utilizing reporting criteria from Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and the GHG Protocol. Conducting assurance of the organization’s internal environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics and GHG emissions requires a good understanding of a wide variety of manufacturing and chemical processes. The company also needs its assurance partner to possess the ability to review and assure data in manufacturing facilities across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Solution
Apex established a team with knowledge of manufacturing systems that consisted of professionals with extensive industry experience as it relates to ESG reporting and assurance. We conducted in-person site reviews at their US locations and remote reviews for non-US locations. Apex ensured that the facilities and client subject matter experts were prepared, developed schedules for site visits and conducted subject matter expert (SME) interviews. Open and consistent communication was key to developing the assurance plan to ensure completion of site visit reviews and completion of metric compilation within client required deadlines.
Results
This assurance is conducted annually and on schedule to meet the client’s various disclosure deadlines. Apex provides the client’s corporate and facility teams with reports that include best practices and opportunities for improvement to encourage more accurate and transparent ESG reporting each year.