Purpose of this article
This guide explains how ESG teams use Scaler to orchestrate data governance, ensure reporting compliance, and generate defensible analytics and reports.
Your role in Scaler
As an ESG team member, you are responsible for data governance, quality control, and reporting, not day-to-day data entry.
You orchestrate the entire ESG data ecosystem—defining what data is required, coordinating collection across stakeholders, ensuring quality and audit-readiness, and producing framework-compliant reports.
Your key workflows in Scaler
Workflow 1: Request missing data from property managers
When you'll do this:
- Monthly or quarterly data collection cycles
- Reporting season preparation (typically Q1-Q2)
- Filling gaps identified in data coverage reviews
- Responding to auditor requests for supporting documentation
Where in Scaler: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Data Requests
What you'll need to know:
- Using the Data Request Tool
- How data enters Scaler (four supported methods)
- Understanding Scaler data coverage methodology
- Understanding GRESB data coverage methodology
Workflow 2: Configure emission factors for portfolio or assets
When you'll do this:
- During initial portfolio setup
- When onboarding new assets
- When updating to new emission factor databases (annual updates)
- When expanding into new regions with different grid factors
- When changing methodologies (location-based vs. market-based)
Where in Scaler: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Emission Factors
What you'll need to know:
- Emissions & emission factors overview
- Configuring location-based emission factors
- Understanding Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions in Scaler
Workflow 3: Generate framework-specific reports
When you'll do this:
- Annual reporting cycles (GRESB typically Q2, INREV Q4, etc.)
- Regulatory deadlines (SECR, SFDR, CSRD)
- Quarterly investor reporting
- Audit preparation
- Ad-hoc requests from investment committees
Where in Scaler: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Reports
What you'll need to know:
- How to generate reports
- Understanding reports audit trail sheets
- Understanding Scaler data coverage methodology
- Understanding GRESB data coverage methodology
- Audit features in Scaler
Workflow 4: Review data quality and completeness
When you'll do this:
- Before reporting deadlines
- During monthly data collection cycles
- After receiving data uploads from property managers
- When preparing for audits
- When onboarding new assets
Where in Scaler: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Alerts Data Collection Portal → Asset → Upload Log Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Performance
What you'll need to know:
- Understanding data quality alerts
- How to use the Scaler spreadsheet
- Data reliability and verification
Workflow 5: Review portfolio performance and identify trends
When you'll do this:
- Quarterly performance reviews
- Preparing for investment committee meetings
- Supporting asset manager or portfolio manager requests
- Tracking progress against sustainability targets
- Preparing investor ESG updates
Where in Scaler: Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Performance Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Metrics Table Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Roadmaps
What you'll need to know:
- Performance overview
- Energy, GHG, water, and waste performance
- Custom metrics tool
- Roadmaps & decarbonisation pathways
Workflow 6: Track decarbonisation progress and scenario planning
When you'll do this:
- Annual target-setting cycles
- Capital planning for ESG CapEx
- Supporting net zero commitments
- Responding to investor decarbonisation queries
- Assessing regulatory risk (stranding risk, compliance pathways)
Where in Scaler: Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Roadmaps
What you'll need to know:
- Roadmaps & decarbonisation pathways
- Understanding CRREM pathways
- Roadmap audit trail download
Workflow 7: Coordinate with auditors during assurance engagements
When you'll do this:
- During scheduled audits (annual or biannual)
- Preparing for investor due diligence
- Before major reporting submissions
- When regulatory assurance is required
Where in Scaler: Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Reports (audit trail sheets) Data Collection Portal → Asset → Audit Trail Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Emission Factors
What you'll need to know:
- Audit features in Scaler
- Understanding reports audit trail sheets
- Roadmap audit trail download
- Data reliability and verification
Quick reference: Where you'll work most often
Scaler location | Primary use |
Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Data Requests | Send data requests to property managers and external stakeholders |
Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Emission Factors | Configure and update emission methodologies |
Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Reports | Generate framework reports (GRESB, INREV, EPRA, SECR, etc.) |
Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Alerts | Monitor data quality warnings and required actions |
Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Performance | Review energy, GHG, water, waste performance trends |
Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Metrics Table | Analyze custom metrics and compare assets |
Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Roadmaps | Track decarbonisation pathways and scenarios |
Analytics Portal → Portfolio → Scores | Review benchmarking and framework scoring |
What to focus on during onboarding
✅ Understand how portfolios, assets, and meters are structured in Scaler ✅ Identify which frameworks you need to report to and when ✅ Map who provides which data (internal property managers vs. external) ✅ Learn how to track data completeness and quality ✅ Configure emission factors for your portfolio methodology ✅ Run a test report early to understand outputs and audit trails
Need help?
- Review Scaler Knowledge Base for detailed how-to guides
- Ask Lumi AI for instant answers to platform questions
- Discuss with internal property and asset managers for data collection coordination
- Contact your Scaler Account Operations Manager for personalized support