Reshaping ESG research and data collection: How AI-powered web scanners simplify the process

Finding relevant sustainability information and data has become more challenging than ever before. ESG research is oftentimes a very manual workflow that requires a lot of time and perseverance. But why is that? Critical sustainability information isn’t always where you expect it to be. Companies scatter relevant ESG data across reports, websites, investor pages, and more, making the process of manual data collection very time consuming and prone to human errors.

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The challenges of ESG research

ESG data is not limited to sustainability reports. It is often hidden in unexpected places like policy pages, regulatory filings, or microsites. This makes the entire process of high-quality ESG data collection extremely time- and cost-intensive. ESG analysts spend hours searching through websites and documents to piece together relevant information about a business. Additionally, greenwashing remains a significant challenge in sustainability research, as companies often make bold sustainability claims that are difficult to verify. Without comprehensive access to data scattered across various sources, identifying inconsistencies or exaggerated statements becomes an uphill battle for ESG professionals.

To simplify ESG research and reduce manual workflows, Briink has developed an AI-powered web scanner that is a real game changer for ESG analysts.

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The web scanner that is transforming ESG research

• Instantly pull sustainability reports, CSRD disclosures, materiality assessments, and more
• Scan entire websites to capture hidden ESG claims, policy statements, or discrepancies.
• Use smart filters (pre-set or custom) to surface the most relevant insights.
• Import results into Briink platform, structured and ready for analysis—no manual digging required.

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How does it work?

1. Enter a valid website URL (e.g., https://briink.com).
2. Select a filter (e.g., ESG reports, policies) or create a custom filter.
3. Run your scan and sit back while the Scanner does the heavy lifting.
4. View & import your results into the platform’s knowledge base, where they’re ready to be used for further ESG assessments.

Benefits for ESG analysts, auditors, and consultants

• Save time and resources: Automate tedious manual research, saving hundreds of hours.
• Boost precision and scope: Uncover hidden insights across websites with unparalleled accuracy.
• Streamline due diligence and sustainability risk assessments: Make data collection for CSRD gap analyses and other frameworks faster and more reliable.
• Ensure accountability: Compare company commitments with actual disclosures to identify greenwashing and gaps.

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What’s next for ESG research?

The future of ESG research lies in harnessing the power of AI to tackle the growing complexity of finding and collecting relevant sustainability data and information. Tools like AI-powered web scanner are paving the way by making high-quality ESG data not only more accessible but also easier to work with. By automating the discovery and in-depth analysis of critical information across websites, AI-powered solutions empower ESG professionals to focus on strategic insights rather than time-consuming manual tasks.

The world of innovation and AI/LLMs never stands still, and the next breakthrough in ESG (research) tools is always just around the corner - driven by the need for smarter, faster, and more reliable solutions. What new possibilities will AI bring to sustainability research in the future? Could the next innovation go beyond data collection to provide deeper predictive insights or automated benchmarking?

As we continue to push the boundaries of technology, one thing is certain: the future of ESG research is brighter, faster, and more efficient than ever before. With Briink, we’re not just solving today’s challenges - we’re paving the way for what’s next.