The Definitive ESG Dataset is Now Live on Beauhurst
Find, track, and understand the companies making a positive impact on the environment and society
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has been a hot topic in business circles for quite some time now. Now, more than ever, companies are looking to build specific ESG policies to reduce their carbon footprint, attract diverse talent, and demonstrate responsible corporate ownership.
Despite some public climb-downs (take Unilever’s unexpected backtrack on ESG commitments as an example), ESG reporting remains important. And the investment market agrees — our own data shows that 30.9% of equity funding from May 2022 to May 2024 has gone to companies with ESG credentials.
Meanwhile, Thomson Reuters’ The 2023 State of Corporate ESG found that “Despite rising costs of capital from rapid interest hikes and much-publicized political and shareholder pressures […] ESG remains a major focus.”
But for many, the unavoidable questions are, what does ESG mean for businesses, and how can it be quantified? Well, that’s where we come in. We’ve developed an ESG dataset that makes ESG quantifiable.
ESG explained
As Chynna Brenham, our Data Strategy Manager, explains, “ESG is a set of standards for identifying the impact of a company on society, the planet and the world at large.”
Here’s how we define ESG at Beauhurst.
Environmental
Social
Governance
At Beauhurst, we defined and launched our own ESG dataset to enable our clients to understand whether a company is having a positive environmental or social impact. That’s because we believe that there doesn’t have to be a trade-off between economic growth and a positive impact on the world.
What are Beauhurst Signals?
We know that just having data isn’t the answer — you also need to be able to interpret it. That’s why we created Signals as a way to make our data easier to understand. We have five groups of Signals that indicate whether a company has a particular characteristic.
They are:
- Growth
- Innovation
- Environmental
- Social & Governance
- Risk
Beauhurst Signals mean that our clients don’t need to be data analysts to do sophisticated work, they just need to hit a few buttons.
Our ESG Signals
Here’s a very brief breakdown of what goes into each Signal. For a full rundown on our methodology, check out our interview with the creator of the dataset, Chynna Brenham.
Environmental Signals
Green transport
Companies with activities related to developing electric vehicles and their parts, infrastructure, and storage, as well as consulting in this space.
Clean and renewable energy
Companies involved in developing alternative or renewable energy sources, such as wind and tidal. They may also manufacture parts, develop storage solutions, or work in clean energy consulting.
Green building and infrastructure
Companies with pollution and waste management activities, such as air or noise pollution, and recycling. They may also develop building technologies and infrastructure such as heat retention, flood management and insulation or focus on environmental consulting.
Sustainable farming and food production
Companies with sustainable agriculture and food production activities. This includes alternative farming methods, the development of natural pesticides and insecticides, and low-carbon meat or dairy alternatives.
Environmental accolades
Companies with this Signal have been backed by a fund, attended an accelerator, or featured on a high-growth list that has a positive environmental focus.
Social & Governance Signals
Gender pay equality
Companies achieve this Signal if the difference between men and women’s average hourly pay is no greater than 5%.
Gender equality of directors
Companies hit this Signal if the percentage of women directors is between 45% and 55%, excluding companies with less than two directors and where the gender is unknown.
Age diversity of directors
Companies hit this Signal if the coefficient of variation of the age of the board of directors is over 0.25, excluding companies with 1-2 active directors and those with directors under age 18 and over 100. Diversity means more generations on the board.
Social accolades
Companies with this Signal have either been backed by a fund, attended an accelerator, or featured on a high-growth list that has a social impact focus.
How to find and use our ESG data
By combining ESG data with our best-in-class UK company data, you are now able to identify, monitor, and capitalise on opportunities across the economy. Fortunately, finding companies with ESG Signals on Beauhurst is incredibly simple.
Check out this short guide to learn how:
But that’s not all. Using ESG Signals in conjunction with other datasets enables you to reveal actionable insights unique to your business, such as the impact of ESG in your portfolio.
For example, at the time of writing, our data from equity fundraising over the period May 2022 – May 2024, shows that companies with ESG Signals raised an average of £11.2m. By comparison, companies without ESG credentials raised an average of £7.9m. Here’s how you can find this information like this on the platform:
Many of our local government clients use our data to understand the diversity of businesses in their region and to find the companies that are innovating in environmentalism. They then use this information to compare their activity against their own ESG benchmarks and goals and against other local governments to see how they are faring. This enables them to offer support, build networks of green companies in their region, and attract similar companies to their area.
Who uses ESG Signals?
ESG reporting isn’t going anywhere — so our ESG Signals are highly beneficial for most forward-thinking companies looking to future-proof and scale their growth.
Our data platform usage reveals some key industries that are utilising our ESG signals.
Local government and councils use Beauhurst ESG data to uncover and track the green economy by identifying businesses with ESG commitments to support or partner with. Councils also use Beauhurst to report on diversity figures in their local business ecosystem.
Investors are using our data to identify investment opportunities in early-stage companies with ESG signals. We also see investors using our data to evaluate their portfolios to understand the impact of ESG on their existing investments.
Wealth managers and legal professionals are using Beauhurst ESG data to arm their teams with greater knowledge of the ESG market and its impact. This market intelligence helps them impress existing clients and win more.
Business development teams are using ESG Signals to research potential leads, enrich their own knowledge of the space and key players, and open conversations with prospects in the ESG space.
This is just a snapshot of the insights available with ESG Signals. But if you’re curious to see how your company can get the most out of ESG data, we’d love to show you how this dataset could work for you.
Simply fill in the form below to book a meeting directly with our team, and we’ll give you a tour of the platform.
FAQs
We do not have carbon emissions data.
This data is only available to the individual companies and many either do not report on carbon emission data, or do not even measure it, because there is no legal requirement for them to do so.
To access the database, you need a subscription to a Beauhurst platform or to our API. We’re happy to show you around the Beauhurst platform — just book a meeting with one of our experts who will talk to you about subscription options.
Nope! As a Beauhurst subscriber, you automatically get access to this data.
If you have any questions or want to talk to us more about it, contact your Account Manager or Client Experience Manager.
See the platform for yourself
Want to simplify your impact reporting? Fill in the form below to book a meeting directly with one of our team members.