Using ChatGPT to help you prepare a sustainability report

AI for Sustainability Newsletter #2

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Everyone should be already familiar with using ChatGPT or Gemini as a generative AI tool to ask questions and generate content.

The key to using AI for sustainability reporting is to treat it as an advisor or critic to help you improve your sustainability report, and not to expect it to write the whole report for you.

Don’t expect AI to get all the facts correct, instead use it to review or suggest whether you have covered the key points in your report and addressed the potential concerns from stakeholders.

In the examples below, I’m using the free version of Copilot by Microsoft, which uses ChatGPT-4, to ask some questions related to sustainability reporting and to generate the answers. You can also use Gemini by Google to compare the results.

Example 1

In the prompt below, I’m asking ChatGPT to review an existing sustainability report from Singtel and provide feedback. You can also change the prompt to ask AI to review sustainability reports from other companies and summarise the key learning points for a good report.

My Prompt:

Based on the latest GRI and ISSB standards, and industry-specific sustainability reports and benchmarks for the telecommunications industry, can you evaluate Singtel’s latest sustainability report at https://cdn.aws.singtel.com/sustainabilityreport/2023/download/02-download-files/1-Full%20Report/Singtel-Group-Sustainability-Report-2023.pdf and highlight areas where they excel in, fall short, and need improvement? Please provide 3 detailed recommendations for each identified area.

ChatGPT:

Let’s dive into Singtel’s latest sustainability report for 2023. Here are my observations:

• Areas of Excellence

Environmental Initiatives: Singtel demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. Their environmental framework outlines key focus areas. They excel in areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing.

Stakeholder Engagement: The report emphasizes listening to stakeholders and welcomes feedback on sustainability efforts. This engagement approach fosters transparency and accountability.

• Areas for Improvement:

Social Impact Metrics: While the report discusses social aspects, it could provide more specific metrics related to employee well-being, diversity, and community impact. Quantifiable data would enhance transparency.

Supply Chain Transparency: Singtel could enhance its reporting on supply chain practices, including supplier diversity, labor conditions, and responsible sourcing. Transparency in this area is crucial.

Climate Resilience Strategy: Although the report highlights climate change efforts, a detailed strategy for adapting to climate risks (e.g., extreme weather events, sea-level rise) would strengthen their resilience.

• Recommendations

Enhance Social Metrics: Develop clear KPIs related to employee satisfaction, diversity, and community engagement. Regularly track and report progress.

Supplier Scorecards: Implement supplier scorecards to assess environmental and social performance. Encourage suppliers to align with Singtel’s sustainability goals.

Scenario Planning for Climate Change: Conduct scenario analysis to assess climate risks and develop adaptive strategies. Collaborate with industry peers to share best practices.

Remember, sustainability is an ongoing journey, and Singtel’s commitment to improvement is commendable. These recommendations can help them continue making positive strides.

Example 2

In the prompt below, I’m asking ChatGPT to generate 10 specific questions that you must address when preparing a sustainability report based on the latest GRI and ISSB standards.

My Prompt:

Imagine that you are a sustainability professional preparing a sustainability report based on the latest GRI and ISSB standards. Generate 10 specific questions that must be addressed for the report.

ChatGPT:

Here are ten specific questions that you should address in your sustainability report based on the GRI and ISSB standards:

1. Materiality Assessment: Have you conducted a materiality assessment to identify the most significant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues relevant to your organization and stakeholders?
2. Stakeholder Engagement: How have you engaged with stakeholders (both internal and external) to understand their expectations, concerns, and perspectives related to sustainability?
3. Targets and Goals: What specific sustainability targets and goals has your organization set? Are they aligned with global sustainability frameworks (e.g., SDGs) and science-based targets?
4. Climate Change Mitigation: How is your organization addressing climate change? What actions are being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy, and adapt to climate risks?
5. Supply Chain Transparency: Have you assessed the sustainability performance of your supply chain partners? How are you ensuring transparency and responsible sourcing throughout the value chain?
6. Human Rights and Labor Practices: What measures are in place to protect human rights within your organization and supply chain? How do you promote fair labor practices and diversity?
7. Biodiversity and Ecosystems: How does your business impact biodiversity and ecosystems? Are there conservation efforts or restoration initiatives in place?
8. Product Lifecycle Assessment: Have you conducted a lifecycle assessment of your products or services? How do they contribute to sustainability, and what improvements can be made?
9. Water Management: What steps are being taken to manage water resources sustainably? Are there water reduction targets, wastewater treatment, and water risk assessments?
10. Reporting and Assurance: How will you ensure the accuracy and credibility of your sustainability data? Will you seek external assurance or follow recognized reporting guidelines?

Remember to provide detailed responses backed by evidence and data to enhance the credibility of your sustainability report.

Example 3

In the prompt below, I’m asking ChatGPT to generate the outline of a sustainability report based on the latest GRI and ISSB standards. You can also add more info to the prompt based on other standards and guidelines that you use.

My Prompt:

Prepare the outline of a sustainability report based on the latest GRI and ISSB standards.

ChatGPT:

Here’s an outline for a sustainability report based on the latest GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) and ISSB (International Sustainability Standards Board) standards:

1. Introduction and Executive Summary: Briefly introduce your organization and its commitment to sustainability. Summarize key findings and highlights from the report.
2. Materiality Assessment: Identify the most relevant sustainability topics for your organization. Explain how you determined materiality and engaged stakeholders.
3. Governance and Management Approach: Describe your governance structure related to sustainability. Explain how sustainability is integrated into your overall management approach.
4. Economic Performance: Report on financial performance related to sustainability initiatives. Include metrics such as revenue from sustainable products/services.
5. Environmental Performance: Cover topics like energy use, emissions, water consumption, waste management, and biodiversity. Use GRI and ISSB standards to guide your disclosures.
6. Social Performance: Address labor practices, human rights, diversity, and community engagement. Include data on employee well-being, safety, and social impact.
7. Product Responsibility: Discuss product lifecycle impacts, safety, and responsible marketing. Highlight any innovations or improvements.
8. Stakeholder Engagement: Describe how you engage with stakeholders (employees, customers, suppliers, etc.). Share examples of collaboration and feedback.
9. Targets and Progress: Set clear sustainability goals and targets. Report on progress toward achieving those goals.
10. Assurance and Verification: Explain any external assurance processes or third-party verification. Ensure transparency and credibility.

Remember to customize this outline based on your organization’s specific context and priorities. Good luck with your sustainability report!

These examples only touch the surface in terms of how generative AI can help you prepare your sustainability report. You can also use more advanced prompts to generate better results, change the writing style, and train it to provide more customised content.

I’m not an AI or ChatGPT guru, but I hope that I have given you a glimpse of how generative AI can help you in your sustainability work. Start experimenting with your own AI advisor to help you prepare your next sustainability report!

News and Resources

• Harnessing The Power Of Digital Technologies For Climate Adaptation, from AVPN and Dalberg Advisors
• Greening AI: A Policy Agenda for the Artificial Intelligence and Energy Revolutions, from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
• AI For Good: How to Build Sector-Specific Artificial Intelligence Models for Climate Resilience, from ADB
• Putting Sustainability at the Heart of ERP, from SAP
• How Tech Companies Can Use Generative AI For Good, from Forbes
• Charting green growth pathways at scale for data centres in Singapore, from Infocomm Media Development Authority

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The AI for Sustainability newsletter is published bi-weekly and shares curated news, insights and resources to cover these learning objectives:

1. Use AI to achieve environmental sustainability.
2. Use AI to help sustainability professionals improve business strategy, marketing, communications, and sustainability reporting.
3. Understand and reduce AI's environmental impact.