Key Impact Points
- Microsoft unveiled AI-driven tools in its Cloud for Sustainability to centralize ESG data, enhance reporting, and simplify compliance.
- New AI capabilities in Microsoft Fabric and Sustainability Manager streamline ESG data analysis and support global standards like CSRD and GRI.
- Prebuilt Sustainability Agents offer tailored insights and help organizations meet compliance standards, including the EU’s CBAM fee estimation.
Transforming ESG Data with Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability
Organizations face mounting challenges in managing ESG data for sustainable business growth. Microsoft addresses these challenges with AI-powered tools like Microsoft Fabric, Sustainability Manager, and Copilot, which centralize and standardize ESG data for analytics and reporting.
“Using these solutions, organizations can take care of their ESG data analytics in one place, driving progress faster by simplifying and accelerating analytics, collaboration, and decision-making.”
These tools empower decision-makers, such as chief sustainability officers and CFOs, to leverage insights and enhance transparency.
Key Innovations Announced at Microsoft Ignite
1. Sustainability Data Solutions in Microsoft Fabric
Now available, this feature enables businesses to centralize ESG data into a sustainability data lake.
Capabilities include:
- Standardized ESG schema for carbon, water, and waste insights.
- Prebuilt metrics for regulations like CSRD.
- Next-gen AI for creating reports and generating summaries using conversational inputs.
Users can explore these capabilities to streamline analytics and tailor insights using Power BI Copilot.
2. External Reporting Templates in Sustainability Manager
Microsoft unveiled reporting templates aligned with major frameworks, including CSRD, GRI, and SASB, to ease ESG reporting complexity.
“To address ESG reporting complexity, enhance efficiency, and provide greater transparency for ESG reporting, we’ve developed templates based on various ESG standards or frameworks.”
The templates allow organizations to adapt to regional and industry standards, ensuring comprehensive reporting.
3. Prebuilt Sustainability Agents
These agents, including the forthcoming CBAM agent, simplify compliance and offer real-time insights.
- CBAM Agent: Helps organizations estimate carbon fees on imports to align with EU standards.
- Sustainability Insights Agent: Provides data on progress toward sustainability goals and industry comparisons.
“With agent templates, organizations can use LLM with their data aligned with the Cloud for Sustainability schema to help meet sustainability standards.”
Empowering Partners with Cloud for Sustainability
Microsoft invites system integrators and software developers to collaborate through its Cloud for Sustainability platform. Partners gain access to resources like industry-specific APIs, technical summits, and sales tools, enabling faster innovation and market entry.
“By partnering with Microsoft, you can take advantage of the Microsoft Cloud platform, which extends beyond Dynamics 365 and Power Platform to Microsoft 365 and Azure.”
Microsoft’s advancements in AI-driven ESG tools demonstrate its commitment to driving sustainability innovation while empowering organizations and partners globally.
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