Sustainability reporting - Data management and automation plan : environmental metrics

Abstract

Sustainability reporting refers to the disclosure of organizations’ impacts on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Despite the recent gradual easing of mandatory sustainability reporting obligations, it continues to play a crucial role in enhancing transparency and accountability. This thesis focuses on the data management and automation of environmental metrics within sustainability reporting. The collection and management of such data require significant resources, and the automation of these processes helps ensure data quality while reducing manual workload. The purpose of this thesis was to develop a sustainability data management and automation plan for Finnpilot Pilotage Ltd, with a scope limited to environmental metrics. The organization provides pilotage services in Finland. Although safe navigation supports environmental protection, the organization’s own operations also result in environmental impacts that are monitored through sustainability reporting. Reporting for the year 2025 was prepared in accordance with the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed micro-, small-, and medium-sized undertakings (VSME). The theoretical framework integrated the principles of sustainability reporting, data management, and automation with the environmental aspects defined by the VSME, and thus, the GHG Protocol regarding greenhouse gas emissions. . The chosen methodology was constructive research. The empirical part of the study followed a qualitative approach, utilizing focus group discussions and brainstorming sessions with relevant stakeholders. The final plan enables the case company to systematically manage and monitor the environmental metric data within sustainability reporting. The adoption of the automation plan is expected to streamline the reporting process in the future. Furthermore, the most valuable automation development project was identified during the thesis process.