High-quality data is the foundation for credible and actionable sustainability reporting. But even the most robust data collection processes can be vulnerable to occasional anomalies, outliers, or human error. That’s why KEY ESG has introduced a powerful new feature: data validation using historical comparisons.
This enhancement automatically flags discrepancies by comparing new data submissions to historical performance and warning of potential discrepancies, helping ensure ESG disclosures are consistent, accurate and reliable before they are published.
Why data validation matters in sustainability reporting
Unlike financial data, which is standardised and frequently audited, ESG data is often decentralised, manually collected and highly context-dependent. This opens the door to inconsistency over time, especially when:
- Reporting responsibilities shift between individuals or teams
- Collection processes evolve
- Organisations expand into new markets or sites
With these challenges in mind, KEY ESG has developed a solution that makes it easier to detect anomalies early, without requiring users to manually inspect large volumes of past data.
Introducing historical comparison rules
The new functionality enables users to check new data against historical data and will alert any significant variances.
You'll be able to see and compare against your previous entries from all available years and reporting periods. This gives you context to assess whether your current data entry looks reasonable compared to your past submissions.
Importantly, the system does not block data submission, recognising that some changes may be legitimate. Changes to your business, seasonal variations and improvements in reporting could all have an impact on your data. Instead, it offers a safeguard that ensures each deviation is reviewed and understood, which builds trust in your final ESG outputs.
Watch the video below to see KEY ESG's custom calculated metrics in action.
Examples of data validation in action
Significant changes in ESG data may be flagged for a number of common reasons, many of which stem from simple mistakes or inconsistencies. These can include:
- Typographical errors or misplaced decimal points (e.g. entering 1,000 instead of 100.0)
- Using the wrong unit of measurement (e.g. tonnes instead of kilograms, or litres instead of cubic metres)
- Switching between reporting scopes or time periods unintentionally
- Manually entering values that should be auto-calculated
- Omitting data for a facility or site that was previously included
- Copy-pasting errors from spreadsheets or other tools
- Confusing emissions scopes (e.g. reporting Scope 1 values under Scope 2)
If the flagged change reflects a real operational shift or a valid data update, you can proceed with confidence. However, if something looks unusual or unexpected, take a moment to double-check your entry before submitting. Doing so helps maintain the accuracy and integrity of your ESG reporting.
Benefits across the ESG workflow
Historical data validation brings value to a range of stakeholders involved in sustainability data collection and reporting:
- Data contributors gain immediate feedback on potential entry errors
- ESG teams spend less time chasing anomalies and more time on strategic analysis
- Executives and external auditors gain confidence that reported metrics are accurate and robust
This aligns with KEY ESG’s broader mission: to make ESG reporting streamlined, verifiable and decision-useful for businesses and investors alike.
Start validating your ESG data today
The historical data validation tool is now available to all KEY ESG customers. It’s already being used to catch data anomalies, streamline workflows, and deliver ESG reports that stand up to scrutiny.
To learn how to use validation rules in your own reporting environment, read the full help article here or reach out to your Customer Success Manager.
At KEY ESG, we believe better data leads to better decisions. Historical validation is just one more way we’re helping organisations move forward with confidence in their sustainability and impact reporting.
High-quality data is the foundation for credible and actionable sustainability reporting. But even the most robust data collection processes can be vulnerable to occasional anomalies, outliers, or human error. That’s why KEY ESG has introduced a powerful new feature: data validation using historical comparisons.
This enhancement automatically flags discrepancies by comparing new data submissions to historical performance and warning of potential discrepancies, helping ensure ESG disclosures are consistent, accurate and reliable before they are published.
Why data validation matters in sustainability reporting
Unlike financial data, which is standardised and frequently audited, ESG data is often decentralised, manually collected and highly context-dependent. This opens the door to inconsistency over time, especially when:
- Reporting responsibilities shift between individuals or teams
- Collection processes evolve
- Organisations expand into new markets or sites
With these challenges in mind, KEY ESG has developed a solution that makes it easier to detect anomalies early, without requiring users to manually inspect large volumes of past data.
Introducing historical comparison rules
The new functionality enables users to check new data against historical data and will alert any significant variances.
You'll be able to see and compare against your previous entries from all available years and reporting periods. This gives you context to assess whether your current data entry looks reasonable compared to your past submissions.
Importantly, the system does not block data submission, recognising that some changes may be legitimate. Changes to your business, seasonal variations and improvements in reporting could all have an impact on your data. Instead, it offers a safeguard that ensures each deviation is reviewed and understood, which builds trust in your final ESG outputs.
Watch the video below to see KEY ESG's custom calculated metrics in action.
Examples of data validation in action
Significant changes in ESG data may be flagged for a number of common reasons, many of which stem from simple mistakes or inconsistencies. These can include:
- Typographical errors or misplaced decimal points (e.g. entering 1,000 instead of 100.0)
- Using the wrong unit of measurement (e.g. tonnes instead of kilograms, or litres instead of cubic metres)
- Switching between reporting scopes or time periods unintentionally
- Manually entering values that should be auto-calculated
- Omitting data for a facility or site that was previously included
- Copy-pasting errors from spreadsheets or other tools
- Confusing emissions scopes (e.g. reporting Scope 1 values under Scope 2)
If the flagged change reflects a real operational shift or a valid data update, you can proceed with confidence. However, if something looks unusual or unexpected, take a moment to double-check your entry before submitting. Doing so helps maintain the accuracy and integrity of your ESG reporting.
Benefits across the ESG workflow
Historical data validation brings value to a range of stakeholders involved in sustainability data collection and reporting:
- Data contributors gain immediate feedback on potential entry errors
- ESG teams spend less time chasing anomalies and more time on strategic analysis
- Executives and external auditors gain confidence that reported metrics are accurate and robust
This aligns with KEY ESG’s broader mission: to make ESG reporting streamlined, verifiable and decision-useful for businesses and investors alike.
Start validating your ESG data today
The historical data validation tool is now available to all KEY ESG customers. It’s already being used to catch data anomalies, streamline workflows, and deliver ESG reports that stand up to scrutiny.
To learn how to use validation rules in your own reporting environment, read the full help article here or reach out to your Customer Success Manager.
At KEY ESG, we believe better data leads to better decisions. Historical validation is just one more way we’re helping organisations move forward with confidence in their sustainability and impact reporting.
