CSR

Accelerating ESG performance and carbon tracking in telecommunications

Wed 03 Jun 2026

Carbon tracking and GHG data platform for a telecom operator

Reducing carbon footprint requires a reliable, integrated, and actionable data foundation. This project, launched in January 2023 and still ongoing, is building a carbon tracking framework designed to measure, analyze, and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the enterprise — in response to the growing requirements of ESG regulation and the CSRD framework.

The approach is based on multi-source data collection covering internal operations and external partners, rigorous data preparation on Google Cloud Platform, and action-oriented analytics. The objective is twofold: to ensure the continuous accuracy of carbon indicators and to transform this information into concrete levers for reducing GHG emissions across Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.

The methodology relies on a Scrum agile organization, short iterations, and constant dialogue with end users. Compliance and security are built into the design from the start to protect sensitive information and reduce regulatory risks. On the technology side, the architecture relies on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for data preparation and Power BI for visualization — a robust, scalable, and decision-oriented combination.

At the heart of the project, data becomes a strategic asset that sheds light on energy efficiency priorities, strengthens innovation, and supports long-term competitiveness.

Client needs: building a reliable data foundation to track and reduce carbon footprint

The implementation of credible carbon tracking required a structured need: to secure the entire lifecycle of GHG data, from the field to the dashboard, while ensuring operational use that is secure and compliant with ESG regulatory requirements.

Need

Associated Objective

Continuous GHG emissions measurement

Provide up-to-date carbon indicators for all activities, with a level of granularity suited to both operational and strategic decisions

Multi-source data collection (Scope 1, 2, and 3)

Integrate internal data (energy, transport, operations) and external data (suppliers, partners) without disruption or loss of traceability

Data standardization

Apply transformation rules to make datasets comparable, traceable, and ready for analysis

Data quality and governance

Establish consistency, completeness, and historization controls to ensure long-term indicator reliability

Actionable analytics

Produce readable insights highlighting trends, gaps, and concrete emission reduction levers

Reporting adapted to business needs

Deliver Power BI dashboards tailored to operational monitoring and ESG strategic steering

Security and regulatory compliance

Protect sensitive data and manage risks related to access, sharing, and CSRD obligations

Agile implementation

Progress through short iterations to quickly align deliverables with business needs and regulatory changes

 

Sofrecom’s Methodology for Carbon Tracking: GCP Data Engineering and Power BI Reporting

An iterative, value-driven approach was deployed to accelerate the maturity of the carbon data foundation, secure processing, and maximize adoption by business and CSR teams.

Agile governance and iterative framing

  • Scrum agile framework: the project was organized into short sprints with continuous backlog prioritization, regular demos, and user feedback integration at each iteration — enabling fast value delivery and adaptation to ESG regulatory changes.
  • Continuous improvement: structured collection of feedback, refinement of data models, and progressive enrichment of use cases according to business and CSR priorities.

Multi-source GHG data collection and integration

  • Structured and progressive collection: connection of internal sources (energy, transport, operations) and external sources (suppliers, partners) to feed the platform without interrupting existing flows.
  • Scope 1, 2, and 3 coverage: integration of direct and indirect emissions for a complete view aligned with the GHG Protocol and CSRD requirements.

Data preparation and modeling on Google Cloud Platform

  • Data engineering on GCP: transformation, standardization, and consolidation of data on Google Cloud Platform to ensure performance, traceability, and scalability of the carbon platform.
  • Analytical modeling of GHG indicators: structuring emissions metrics to facilitate exploration, historical comparison, and the identification of trends and reduction opportunities.
  • Historization and traceability: retention of data versions and transformations to ensure auditability of calculations and regulatory compliance.

Carbon visualization and reporting with Power BI

  • Usage-oriented Power BI dashboards: design of views adapted to each level of management — operational emissions monitoring, trend analysis, and ESG strategic reporting.
  • Actionable indicators: highlighting gaps, reduction priorities, and the impact of implemented actions — turning data into decision-making support.

Quality and security built in by design

  • Systematic quality controls: verification of data consistency, completeness, and compliance at every stage of the pipeline.
  • Security by design: fine-grained access management, protection of sensitive information, and reduction of breach risks — integrated from the data preparation stage.

Technology Stack

  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP) · Power BI · Scrum · GHG Protocol · Scope 1, 2, and 3 · Data governance · CSRD

Benefits achieved: reliable carbon indicators, ESG compliance, and optimized emission reduction steering

  • Reliable and continuous carbon indicators across all business activities

The company now has a consolidated and continuously updated GHG data foundation, covering all emission scopes — internal operations, energy, transport, and partner value chain. The reliability of the indicators strengthens the credibility of carbon tracking for internal teams, regulators, and external stakeholders. The monitoring of decarbonization pathways is now precise, documented, and auditable.

  • Better identification and prioritization of emission reduction opportunities

The analyses produced on GCP and visualized in Power BI highlight concrete improvement opportunities: priority emission sources, gaps versus targets, and measurable effects of implemented actions. Teams can prioritize high-impact initiatives, allocate resources more effectively, and measure progress at each iteration — turning data into an operational decarbonization lever.

  • Mastered ESG and CSRD regulatory compliance

Sensitive data protection, traceability of transformations, and governance embedded from the design phase enable the organization to meet the increasing requirements of ESG regulation and the CSRD directive. Reports are structured, auditable, and aligned with recognized frameworks (GHG Protocol, Scope 1, 2, and 3), reducing regulatory risk and simplifying non-financial reporting exercises.

  • Continuous innovation supported by advanced cloud technologies

The combined use of Google Cloud Platform for data engineering and Power BI for visualization creates an evolving platform capable of integrating new use cases as needs emerge — predictive emissions analysis, reduction scenario simulation, integration of new partner data sources. This open architecture fosters continuous improvement and positions the operator as an engaged, well-equipped actor in its own energy transition.

In summary, this project illustrates Sofrecom’s ability to support telecom operators in building their carbon tracking platform — combining expertise in GCP data engineering, GHG data governance, and decision-oriented visualization to transform emissions data into concrete levers for decarbonization and ESG compliance.