Transforming Sustainability Reporting for a Vertically Integrated Agriculture Producer [Case Study]

Sustainability is more than a buzzword in modern agriculture—it’s necessary. For a vertically integrated agriculture producer, accurately reporting sustainability data, including water usage and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is a crucial aspect of their commitment to environmental stewardship. The journey to accurate reporting has been full of challenges, mainly due to the manual processes involved in gathering and calculating data. This case study explores how the company overcame these obstacles by partnering with RSM to automate and streamline its sustainability reporting using Microsoft Sustainability Manager. 

The Challenge 

The agriculture producer faced significant hurdles in their sustainability reporting. Their existing process relied heavily on manual data collection from various sources, which not only consumed several man-days every month but also led to inaccuracies due to transcription and omission errors. The lack of standardized controls and procedures meant that the data, when finally gathered, was often unreliable and difficult to verify. The result was an onerous, time-consuming process that failed to meet the company’s need for accurate reporting. 

The Transformation 

Recognizing the inefficiencies and potential inaccuracies in their existing process, the agriculture producer turned to RSM for a solution. RSM’s team worked closely with the company to automate the ingestion of GHG-causing business activity data into the Microsoft Sustainability Manager using Power Query functionality. This automation streamlined data collection and ensured emissions were calculated using emission factors specific to the company’s operations, adhering to the EPA 2023 standards. 

Furthermore, the Microsoft Sustainability Manager offers the appropriate controls and procedures, enabling the company to perform required reporting in a manner that can be assured. This shift from a manual to an automated process freed up valuable manpower, allowing the company to redirect resources to more strategic organizational tasks. 

Success in Water Usage Reporting 

In addition to GHG emissions, the company also faced challenges in reporting its water usage. With RSM’s help, they were able to automate the ingestion of water usage data into the Microsoft Sustainability Manager, again utilizing Power Query for data ingestion. This automation provided the company with accurate, real-time insights into its water usage, further enhancing its sustainability reporting capabilities. 

Summary 

Through digital transformation, the agriculture producer has revolutionized its sustainability reporting process. What was once a cumbersome, paper-based process has been replaced with a highly automated, accurate system, empowering the company to focus on other critical areas of its business. The Microsoft Sustainability Manager enables the company to track emissions over time, ensuring they meet their sustainability goals with unprecedented accuracy. 

The company is now well-positioned for future reporting needs and sustainable efforts. What used to take several people days to accomplish can now be monitored and reviewed by a single person in just a few hours. 

Why This Story Matters 

As regulations tighten and sustainability becomes essential, mid-market companies face new challenges in reporting their environmental impact. This case study illustrates how RSM can help these companies navigate the complexities of sustainability reporting, transforming their processes to meet regulatory requirements and unlock new revenue generation opportunities through emissions credits. 

With the right technology, such as Microsoft’s Sustainability Manager, companies can ensure their sustainability data is accurate, reliable, and valuable. They can be industry leaders and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Paul Duckworth

With over two decades of experience in software implementation, Paul Duckworth specializes in leveraging Microsoft Sustainability tools and leads RSM's Microsoft Sustainability Manager service to drive impactful environmental solutions. Paul focuses on greenhouse gas (GHG) calculations, carbon offset strategies, and ESG reporting, helping organizations reduce their carbon footprint, monetize their carbon reductions and meet regulatory requirements.