Simplified Sustainability Reporting

Designed for small businesses

Sustainability reports are becoming as vital as a company’s financial report. Even small businesses are under increasing pressure to disclose their impacts on the environment and their local communities. But most don’t have the time, budget, or in-house expertise to figure out where to start. And most resources available are geared towards the needs of large complex corporations.

That’s where we come in. Our system is designed for the needs of small businesses. We help you to zero in on what’s relevant to your size, industry, and goals. Save time, money, and frustration by focusing on what’s important for your organization.

How is reporting different for a small organization?

Large corporations (that report to shareholders and regulators) have much more onerous reporting demands than small businesses. Fortunately, small businesses can keep it simple. However, many folks at small businesses have to sift through mountains of information to figure out what applies to them when it comes to sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions reporting.

Here are just a few of the ways that small business reporting differs from that of large corporations:

The types and number of ESG topics to include
Frameworks and standards to follow
Greenhouse gas emissions categories (scopes)
How to source data
How to share data
Compliance with regulations

Without a structured approach, it’s easy to feel stuck — or avoid reporting altogether. That’s a risk. Businesses that can’t communicate their sustainability efforts in a credible way may:

Lose out on contracts
Struggle to meet supplier requirements
Fall behind competitors
Face greenwashing claims

Our system

We help you to:

Save time by providing a structured data collection system
Save money because you don’t have to commit to expensive contracts
Save frustration by giving you clear steps forward
Save face by following best practices for small business reporting

Build your sustainability report around what’s the most relevant and meaningful.

Hi, I’m
Jennifer Duffy

I’m a GRI-certified sustainability professional dedicated to helping small businesses succeed with sustainability reporting.

While large businesses have entire teams focused on ESG and sustainability metrics, small businesses are often left trying to piece it together on their own.

I built this business to change that. My goal is simple: make sustainability reporting more accessible and achievable for small organizations.

Prior to becoming a data analyst, I worked at a nonprofit where I was the de facto “data person.” I saw how critical data was for: informing decision-making, improving efficiency, and helping with forecasting. I also experienced how difficult it is to build data systems from scratch. That’s what motivated me to gain expertise on building data systems that work for “smaller fry” as opposed to large corporations. I understand how painful it can be when you’re thrown into the data deep end!

If you’re tasked with figuring out sustainability reporting, we know how overwhelming it can feel and we’re here for you!

About PilotSong Sustainability — What makes us different?

Our system is geared towards small organizations.
We provide beginner-friendly templates paired with instructions that walk you through what data to collect and how to turn it into a clear, credible sustainability report. Our tools are intended for U.S. businesses with less than 1,000 employees. The requirements for small businesses are much less onerous than those for large companies. You will save time by only focusing on what is relevant to you.

You don’t need to learn a new software program.
Your team members just need a basic understanding of MS Excel to use the templates.

You can get started on a small budget.
You don’t need to commit to an expensive software contract or hire a consultant. You can begin using our templates immediately upon purchase. Just download the files and start creating your report within minutes.

Explain your system to me like I’m a five-year-old

Let’s say that one of your biggest clients is now requiring that their suppliers provide a basic sustainability report that includes a greenhouse gas emissions inventory (a sustainability report is similar to your financial report — except that you are reporting on data related to sustainability rather than financials).

Large corporations may need to report on upwards of 30 topics (everything from customer privacy data to the weight of materials used to produce their products).

However, most small businesses only report on 3-5 topics (such as energy use, greenhouse gas emissions amounts, hiring practices, and health and safety).

To report on any of these topics, you need to collect data. For example, how much electricity did your company use last year? How much diesel fuel was consumed by your company vehicles? What policies do you have regarding health and safety?

You can’t have a credible and trustworthy report without “showing your work.” For example, if you report to a client that you your organization emitted 500 metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) last year, you need to show how you got those numbers.

You also need to follow standards, such as the GRI Standards, that spell out exactly how to calculate and disclose your data.

How we help

We have built the following so that you don’t have to build your system from scratch:

Editable data collection templates for the most common topics
- These are downloadable Excel spreadsheets
- They include tables where you collect your data
- They include instructions on how to source your data
- They have built-in formulas for calculating your data
Step-by-step instructions
- So that you know how to start and what to include
- So that you have appropriate documentation
- So that you build a solid foundation
Instructional videos
- Check out our Youtube Channel

Our system was built in conformance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Reporting Standard and the Global Reporting Intiative Standards. By following these global standards, your report will be considered more credible, verifiable, and trustworthy.

Choose your approach

Do you need to report on just one or two topics?

Browse individual templates

Do you need to create a full sustainability report (> 3 topics)?

Purchase Sustainability Starter Pack

Do you want us to calculate your greenhouse gas emissions for you?

Let’s make this simple

Sustainability reporting doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you’re ready to get started — or just want to stay updated about small business sustainability reporting, we’re here to help.

A note about our name

Pilot verses or “pilot songs” were directions that were sung in tune to favorite songs, as a memorable way to help sailors navigate unknown waters.*
PilotSong Sustainability is located near the Baltimore, MD port and here as elsewhere, boats are guided through local waterways by Bay Pilots. In fact, Maryland is home to the oldest state-codified organization of Pilots in the country!
While not as difficult as treacherous seaways, finding your way through the complications of sustainability data can be daunting as well! We are here to help guide you through.

sources: shanties.rendance.org, tidalcultures.wordpress.com

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