Insights · Technology · UAE & GCC
Most organisations start their sustainability journey in spreadsheets. By the second reporting cycle, many are looking for something better. These are the questions UAE and GCC leaders ask most often about ESG software and AI tools, answered plainly.
In this article · 12 questions
- 01Software for sustainability data and climate risk
- 02Why spreadsheets stop working
- 03Types of sustainability software
- 04Features ESG software should have
- 05Forecasting climate-related risks
- 06AI tools for ESG and climate finance
- 07Can AI write our report?
- 08Buy off-the-shelf or build?
- 09Frameworks to support in the UAE
- 10Software for a first report
- 11New River Group’s platform
- 12Seeing a prototype for your organisation
Short answer
01What kind of software can help a business organise sustainability data and forecast climate-related risks without spreadsheets?
You need software that does three things: collects and validates ESG data from across the business, tracks performance against targets, and maps that data to reporting frameworks such as GRI, ISSB and IFRS S2. If you also need forecasting, add scenario modelling for physical and transition climate risks. You can buy an off-the-shelf platform or have one custom-built around your organisation; the right choice depends on how complex your processes are and who you want to own the system.
02Why do spreadsheets stop working for ESG data?
- Data arrives from everywhere. Utility bills, fuel logs, HR systems, procurement and suppliers each send data in a different format.
- Nobody fully trusts the numbers. Versions multiply, formulas get overwritten, and only one person understands how the totals were built.
- Evidence is hard to find. Regulators and assurance providers expect every figure to trace back to a source. Under the UAE Climate Change Law, emissions records must be kept for at least five years.
- Leadership sees too little, too late. A once-a-year report doesn’t help a board manage performance during the year.
- Forecasting is out of reach. Modelling climate risk or the payback of reduction projects in a spreadsheet is slow and fragile.
03What types of sustainability software are there?
| Type | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon accounting platforms | Collect activity data and calculate Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions | Companies whose main need is a GHG inventory |
| ESG data and reporting platforms | Gather data across environmental, social and governance topics and map it to frameworks | Companies producing a full sustainability report |
| Climate-risk analytics | Model physical risks such as heat, flooding and water stress, and transition risks, under different scenarios | Asset-heavy businesses, lenders and investors |
| Custom-built platforms | Combine the above around an organisation’s own workflows, systems and frameworks | Organisations with complex or unique processes that want to own the system |
04What features should ESG software have?
- Data collection and validation. It should pull data from your ERP, utility providers and HR systems, and flag gaps or outliers before they reach the report.
- A clear audit trail. Every number should trace to its source document, with a record of who approved it and when.
- Framework coverage. It should map data to the frameworks you report against, such as GRI, ISSB (IFRS S1 and S2) and CSRD, and to UAE requirements.
- Performance tracking. Leadership should get a live view of progress against targets, not just an annual output.
- Forward-looking analysis. It should model reduction projects (cost, payback and impact) and, if you need it, climate-risk scenarios.
- Fit with how you work. The tool should adapt to your workflows and approvals, not the other way round.
- Ownership and cost over time. Know whether you are paying a recurring subscription or owning the system, and what happens to your data if you switch.
05Can sustainability software forecast climate-related risks?
Yes. Climate-risk tools model physical risks, such as extreme heat, flooding and water stress, and transition risks, such as carbon pricing or changing customer demand, under different scenarios. Many organisations combine these forecasts with their ESG data platform so that risk, performance and reporting sit in one place.
06What AI tools are available for ESG reporting, sustainability management and climate finance?
AI is now built into many ESG tools. Used well, it can:
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Extract data
From invoices, utility bills and supplier documents
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Check data quality
Flag errors or missing values
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Map disclosures
To framework requirements such as GRI, ISSB and CSRD
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Draft report sections
From validated data
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Explain performance
And recommend actions
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Support climate finance
Rank sustainability projects by financial return, impact and payback
07Can AI write our sustainability report for us?
AI can draft sections and save a lot of time, but it shouldn’t publish anything on its own. Regulators, lenders and assurance providers expect traceable data and a person accountable for every figure.
The best set-up uses AI for collection, checking and drafting, with your team reviewing and approving.
08Should we buy off-the-shelf ESG software or have a platform built?
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf platform | Custom-built platform |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up | Fast to start, fixed features | Built around your workflows and frameworks |
| Fit | Your processes adapt to the tool | The tool adapts to your processes |
| Integrations | Standard connectors | Connected to your ERP and systems as you choose |
| Cost model | Ongoing subscription | Build cost; the platform is yours |
| Capability | Knowledge sits with the vendor | Your team owns and operates it |
A standard platform suits organisations with simple needs. A custom build suits those with several entities, unusual data sources or a strong preference for owning their systems and data.
09Which reporting frameworks should ESG software support in the UAE?
At minimum, GRI and ISSB (IFRS S1 and S2), plus the metrics in the DFM ESG Reporting Guide or ADX ESG Disclosure Guidance if you are listed. If you supply European customers, support for CSRD and the EU’s voluntary SME standard (VSME) helps you answer their data requests.
10Do we need software for our first sustainability report?
Not always. Many companies produce their first report with spreadsheets, then move to software once they report every year, add more entities or prepare for assurance.
11What does New River Group’s sustainability platform do?
New River Group is a Dubai-based, sustainability-focused research and development firm (formerly New River Consulting). Its Technology team builds custom sustainability and business intelligence platforms for organisations across the UAE and GCC, powered by specialised AI agents that your team owns and operates:
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Data & Evidence Agents
Collect and validate information with verifiable metrics
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Governance & Workflow Agents
Coordinate responsibilities, approvals and escalations
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Reporting Agents
Map data to frameworks including GRI, ISSB, IFRS and CSRD and support drafting
-
Management Intelligence Agents
Explain performance and recommend actions
Each platform includes a sustainability performance dashboard, a value opportunities view that ranks projects by financial return, impact and payback, and a guided report builder. You choose the AI models and how the platform connects to your systems. There’s no subscription: the platform belongs to your organisation.
12How can we see what a platform would look like for us?
New River Group builds a complimentary prototype around your organisation within 5 business days. It’s the quickest way to see how your own data, frameworks and workflows would come together in one place.