Streamlining carbon accounting for a leading investment firm

The challenge: Manual spreadsheets

Like many firms, Man Group previously met carbon accounting requirements using a manual, in-house process for gathering their activity data, undertaking emissions calculations, and staying up to date with the latest emission factors. 

While Man Group were mature in their carbon accounting and reporting practices, their approach was spreadsheet-based and labor-intensive. Man Group’s forward-thinking Head of Building Performance & Environment, Netza Jack, wanted to explore how the newest tech could streamline their data collection processes, maximize the quality of data flowing into their carbon accounts, and futureproof them for the years ahead.

Netza saw the opportunity to modernize their practices using our AI-powered platform. 

“We needed a solution that could produce audit-grade carbon accounts efficiently. As a multinational firm, operating  largely in leased facilities, finding the right fit for our requirements was crucial.”

— Netza Jack, Head of Building Performance & Environment at Man Group

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The opportunity: AI-powered automation

Man Group recognized the potential of AI to transform their carbon accounting workflows, and needed a solution that could improve on existing methods while ensuring compliance with best practices, and adherence to third-party assurance standards. Ideagen Carbon Accounting’s cutting-edge carbon accounting platform met these requirements. 

Implementing the solution offered Man Group a number of key benefits, including:

• Generating complete, auditable carbon accounts, ready for third-party assurance
• Freeing up time and resources with AI-driven data processing 
• Staying up to date with carbon accounting best practices and emission factors
• Getting hands-on support whenever it was needed as part of a collaborative implementation process

“The solution is truly innovative, and it offers an exciting opportunity for us. Their collaborative approach reassured us we’d receive the support we needed to make this transition seamless.” 

— Netza Jack, Head of Building Performance & Environment at Man Group

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The implementation: Browser-based simplicity

The launch of Ideagen Carbon Accounting’s  Scope 3 solution is pipelined for release in Q3 2024, so Man Group decided to implement the platform for Scope 1 and 2 accounting first. 

With our fully browser-based platform, there were no API integrations or software downloads required, making onboarding simple and seamless. Before rolling out to the entire business, Man Group chose to initially use the solution on two of their global offices, allowing himself, and data contributors within the business to build familiarity with the workflow, and confidence in the results,  with dedicated support and collaboration with one of our experts.

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The results: User-friendly automation and efficiency

Ideagen Carbon Accounting’s automated platform made Man Group’s carbon accounting process dramatically more efficient and will continue to enable them on their regulatory and voluntary sustainability reporting initiatives, and net zero agenda. Their emissions accounting process is now:

• Simple and user-friendly, so data contributors can be engaged in the process with less time and complexity, understand data requirements, and provide the best quality data available within the business
• Efficient for managers like Netza to understand and maximize data coverage and data quality, and manage progress towards accounts completion
• Easily auditable for their third-party assurance needs

“The solution’s accurate data processing, useful notifications and clear reporting format were big pluses. It offers a modern approach to carbon accounting that we’re excited to move towards.”

— Netza Jack, Head of Building Performance & Environment at Man Group

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What’s next?

Man Group has recently rolled out the platform globally for Scope 1 & 2 accounting, and will explore the benefits of Ideagen Carbon Accounting’s Scope 3 solution upon release.

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Key takeaways

Our automated approach is a game changer for companies like Man Group, whose global reach, sustainability standards, and net zero objectives present a challenge for efficiently delivering high-quality carbon accounts. Now, they can achieve fast, reliable and highly accurate carbon accounts they know they can trust. 

By initially piloting the platform on a subset of their facilities, Man Group easily validated the solution’s benefits and built internal confidence for their stakeholders before a global rollout. 

As Netza Jack confirms, “The solution has offered us a modern, technology-driven path to transforming our carbon management process”. 

Simple, efficient and ready for whatever the future might bring.

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