Gathering, streamlining, and verifying emissions data with comundo.

Energy data is incredibly important when it comes to determining emissions. However, collecting and calculating emissions can be a herculean task. Why, exactly? First, energy sources vary greatly. Second, there’s no standard timeline for data reporting from utilities. Last, emission factors may not be current or relevant. Tricky, right?

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However! comundo was designed to address these very pain points of energy data collection. For real estate companies with multiple properties in their portfolio and businesses that own or lease various real estate assets, comundo simplifies and automates much of the grunt work of collecting and turning energy data into verifiable and traceable emissions. 

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We’ll show you exactly how comundo does what it does (and why it’s so good at it) and why your business should use it to make environmental sense of your energy data, no matter how large or complex your portfolio is. 

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Why is energy data important to your carbon footprint?

Energy consumption is a primary driver of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making it a critical factor in determining your carbon footprint. Now, whether energy consumption comes under direct or indirect emissions depends on where you get your energy from. 

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According to the GHG Protocol, the gold standard for emissions categorisation, energy consumption mainly falls into Scope 1 and 2, but it can also be a part of Scope 3 emissions. 

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Here’s what the breakdown may look like for a typical commercial or residential building: 

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Scope 1: Direct emissions

• On-site fuel combustion for electricity or heating
• Fuel or electricity used in company-owned vehicles 

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy

• Emissions from the generation of purchased electricity 
• Emissions from the generation of purchased heating
• Emissions from the generation of purchased cooling
• Emissions from the generation of purchased steam

Scope 3: Indirect emissions

• Emissions from the generation of electricity, heating, and gas used by tenants

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For many organisations, especially in the real estate sector, energy consumption is the dominant contributor to their carbon footprint. For example, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which own and operate a wide range of properties, substantially impact the environment due to the energy demands of heating, cooling, and lighting buildings they invest in, so their carbon footprint is largely made up of energy-related emissions. 

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Now, to answer the main question, “Why should you care about energy data,” here are some compelling reasons:

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• Identify and prioritise emission reduction opportunities: Pinpoint the most energy-intensive operations and areas for improvement  
• Set science-based targets: Develop ambitious yet achievable goals for reducing GHG emissions
• Monitor progress and track performance: Regularly assess progress towards emission reduction targets and identify areas for further action  
• Engage stakeholders: Communicate effectively with investors, customers, and other stakeholders about environmental performance 
• Improve energy efficiency: Implement energy-saving measures, such as upgrading equipment, optimising building operations, and switching to renewable energy sources

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To put it simply, energy data is the key to reducing energy-related emissions, which is good for business and the environment. 

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How does comundo collect and report energy data?

comundo, at its core, is an energy-focused platform that consolidates energy data for real estate assets in one place, automating much of the data gathering and the calculation of emissions from it. 

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It’s ideal for the real estate sector, particularly investment firms with property stakes. In reality, it’s ideal for any business that wants to make sense of energy and emissions data. It allows businesses or investors to take a data-driven approach to improve any building’s environmental performance, bring energy costs down, and, of course, be a sustainability star. 

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comundo simplifies the process by automating the data collection from utility providers and national databases (where applicable) for specific reporting periods for any registered property. 

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For instance, in Denmark, comundo is authorised by the government to integrate with the OIS (Den Offentlige Informationsserver), a public database that collects information regarding properties in Denmark. While there is a lot of publicly available property data stored in the OIS database, there is also data that is not publicly available, like energy consumption data, and its this data comundo can access. This streamlines the process of adding all the owned or leased buildings or units in them to the platform’s dashboard. Where automation isn’t available, the platform allows manual data entry. 

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But here’s the real kicker – data granularity. comundo goes the extra mile to report data on an hourly basis, where possible, to give a granular view of consumption. For instance, building owners can see exactly when electricity consumption increases or decreases. Such a detailed view of energy data can be instrumental in understanding consumption and taking the right initiatives to optimise or balance it. 

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Ensuring the accuracy of data and emission factors

Accuracy is the difference between environmental efforts working and not working. comundo, as a platform, commits to providing accurate data by ensuring it comes directly from the source. It usually comes directly from digital meters and submeters installed in buildings via the associated utility provider. 

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comundo only uses verifiable data, whether attained automatically or through manual methods, which increases the integrity of data; key for reporting and certifying. Energy data from comundo can then be used to apply for green certifications such as DGNB.

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Similar to the accuracy of energy data, comundo also goes the extra mile to ensure accurate emissions data, and that’s where emission factors come in. It uses the most relevant and recently available emission factors to calculate emissions based on consumption. 

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The whole process of calculating emissions corresponding to each reporting period for each asset in the portfolio is automated, making it so much easier for companies to report environmental data (from energy consumption).

Energy emissions and compliance

Environmental reporting regulations are becoming increasingly expansive and stringent. What that means is that you have more data to collect and report and a heavier price to pay if you don’t. The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is one such regulation that requires large and listed small and medium enterprises to report environmental data. 

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comundo can help companies comply with such regulations by making reporting energy data and associated emissions easier. While it’s not a compliance solution per se, it’s a means to that, so companies with real estate assets in their ownership or use can collect the data they need to include in their environmental reporting. 

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Businesses in the EU may need a comprehensive carbon accounting solution to report their complete carbon footprint. But this is also where comundo shines, as it can readily integrate with other carbon accounting platforms. 

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Utilising your energy emissions data

Having detailed, granular energy emissions data doesn’t just simplify reporting compliance; it also empowers you to create benchmarks, compare performance, and set targets. Lower emissions require energy use optimisation. That, in turn, results in cost reductions. 

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Even if you’re mostly relying on energy from renewable resources, there’s still a cost. And the last time we checked, businesses prefer to keep their costs as low as possible. In a way, having actionable energy and emissions data lets you increase your bottom line. 

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Empowered with accurate data, companies can:

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• Improve infrastructure for more efficient electricity, heating, and water consumption 
• Opt for utility providers supplying clean energy
• Install on-site renewable energy production structures
• Increase awareness among stakeholders on their carbon footprint 
• Satisfy stakeholders with energy usage transparency (and impress them if it’s super low)

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Data is power in the 21st century (power to do and look better). Plus, the real estate sector is responsible for 37% of global emissions, with 27% of those coming from buildings in use. Although the sector, particularly in Europe, has made strides with a clean energy transition, there’s much left to be done. Buildings investors, owners, and tenants must continue to play a pivotal role in bringing down energy-related emissions. 

Do it the comundo way

comundo tackles the challenges of energy data collection and processing head-on, providing a streamlined way for the real estate sector and businesses to determine their properties’ carbon footprint from energy consumption. It’s a simple, clean, and highly customisable solution designed to embrace automation, accuracy, and transparency. 

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