How Councils Use ESG Data

Since Bristol City Council declared a climate emergency in 2018, numerous local authorities have followed suit. These councils are actively working to reduce carbon emissions within their jurisdictions, contributing to the UK’s overarching goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, some councils have set more ambitious targets, aiming to reach net-zero well ahead of the national deadline. Local authorities are instrumental in addressing the climate crisis, promoting environmentally friendly initiatives such as green infrastructure development, cycle-to-work programmes, and the adoption of energy-efficient solutions like solar panels and low-carbon heating systems.

This means it’s more important than ever to have access to data that can tell councils which businesses are working towards this goal. Beauhurst introduced ESG signals so councils can filter through companies to find those that hit their environmental targets. Beyond this, it allows them to see which companies are advocates of diversity and gender equality, as well as those that adhere to proper governance practices.

What is ESG data?

ESG data refers to information related to the environmental, social, and governance aspects of a company, organisation, or government. This data is increasingly important for investors, policymakers, and stakeholders who are interested in the sustainability and ethical impact of an entity.

Find out more by reading our ESG Q&A.

Why do councils use ESG data?

With the UK government pushing increasingly towards a green economy, with initiatives such as the decarbonising transport plan, ESG data has become an essential part of a council’s database. There’s pressure to become net zero, and without access to data on businesses’ environmental impact, this would be impossible.

Our ESG data can help councils:

• Find businesses that have a low carbon footprint
• Find companies that are taking an active step towards a green economy
• Make more informed decisions with an environmental and social perspective
• Align local business activities with broader governmental goals of sustainability
• Leverage ESG data for targeted development and investment strategies
• Enhance their CRM with ESG insights, allowing for more strategic engagement with businesses
• Filter out firms depending on which ESG signal they adhere to
• Get better ESG reporting
• Find businesses that support a larger pool of diversity
• And much more

The addition of ESG data to Beauhurst’s platform enables councils to better align with national green economy initiatives, make more informed decisions, and pursue their goals with a greater focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Want to know more? See How Councils Use Beauhurst.

Councils and ESG data: How can councils use Beauhurst’s ESG data?

It’s very simple to search with our new ESG signals. From our advanced search, you can find our signals under Add Company Criteria.

From here, you can select which signal you’d like.

But how can this help you find the companies you’d like to find? Let’s look at an example.

Imagine you’re a council member trying to find out how many businesses in your region currently adhere to the Green Transport ESG signal.

How to:

• Start as before, by finding signals under Add Company Criteria
• Tick Green Transport and press OK
• Select Add Company Criteria again and choose Location
• Here you can add in your region e.g. Brighton and Hove
• And then you can search for companies
• If you only want to see active companies, find Current Stage of Evolution under Add Company Criteria—and just select seed, venture, growth and established

Case studies

We’ve worked with numerous councils—helping them reach their specific targets.

Basildon Council faced challenges in gathering the necessary data to create persuasive, data-backed arguments for its funding requirements within the local community. Now with BeauhurstImpact, Basildon Council has the ability to obtain the data essential for understanding the local business landscape accurately, fostering important relationships, and facilitating thorough due diligence processes.

Summary

Whether your council is already deeply invested in ESG initiatives or just beginning to explore its impact, Beauhurst provides the tools and insights needed to make a meaningful difference in your community.

By leveraging this data, councils can play a pivotal role in shaping a future that balances economic prosperity with environmental stewardship and social well-being, truly embodying the principles of sustainability and ethical governance for the betterment of their regions, and for the UK as a whole.

If you’d like to know how councils can use BeauhurstImpact, and our ESG data, then book a demo below—we can show you exactly how the platform could work for you.