As the urgency to combat climate change intensifies, businesses and governments are increasingly turning to geospatial technologies to inform data-driven decisions related to sustainability, urban planning, and compliance. In the first episode of Geoawesome’s Problem Solved podcast, hosts Muthu and Aleks explore how geospatial solutions are redefining the landscape of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting and decarbonization strategies. Their guest, Bobbie Kalra, founder of Magnasoft, shares insights on how geospatial technology is revolutionizing sustainability strategies, particularly in the built environment.

Buildings: A Major Contributor to Global Emissions

It is estimated that buildings account for a staggering 39% of global CO₂ emissions. Managing and reducing this footprint is a complex challenge that requires accurate, scalable data collection. Historically, emissions analysis and sustainability reporting have relied on costly, time-consuming surveys and high-end laser scanners. However, recent advancements in geospatial methods have streamlined this process, reducing costs by up to 60%.

Scalable Data Collection with DIY Geospatial Models

Magnasoft has developed a cost-effective method for assessing building emissions using iPads and mobile LiDAR. Instead of deploying costly hardware, property owners and facility managers can use readily available devices to collect detailed spatial data, which is then analyzed remotely. This “Do-It-Yourself (DIY) model” enables organizations to:

• Capture real-time building data without technical expertise
• Reduce the need for on-site survey teams
• Streamline compliance reporting while maintaining high data accuracy

This approach aligns with the growing demand for scalable and automated ESG reporting. Such reporting is critical for organizations aiming to comply with standards such as BREEAM, LEED, and NEN 2767.

Remote Sensing and Multi-Sensor Integration

Geospatial technologies are evolving to integrate multiple data sources, including aerial imagery, mobile LiDAR, and remote sensing, to assess urban and environmental landscapes at scale. For instance, Magnasoft has successfully implemented solutions to map entire cities’ building inventories, helping governments and corporations make informed sustainability decisions.

This integration enables:

• Automated identification of inefficient buildings
• Simulated models to estimate decarbonization potential
• Predictive analysis to guide renovation and decommissioning efforts

Compliance and Business Needs Driving Geospatial Adoption

The geospatial industry has always been technology-driven, but widespread adoption in ESG is a recent development. Governments are introducing stricter carbon reporting mandates, such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). These frameworks require businesses to quantify and disclose their environmental impact, and geospatial data plays a pivotal role in ensuring transparency.

For companies grappling with ESG compliance, integrating geospatial solutions can yield a competitive advantage by offering:

• Accurate lifecycle assessments (LCA) of assets
• Standardized carbon footprint calculations
• Continuous monitoring of decarbonization efforts

From Overengineering to Practical Solutions

A key point that emerged from this discussion is the importance of geospatial companies aligning their efforts with real-world business challenges, rather than solely concentrating on technological development. While the geospatial industry has historically been deeply rooted in academic research and remote sensing advancements, its commercial application remains underutilized. To address this discrepancy, industry leaders must:

• Engage more closely with end-users to understand operational pain points
• Develop lightweight, cost-effective solutions tailored to specific ESG challenges
• Simplify technology adoption for non-technical stakeholders

What Is The Future of Geospatial for Sustainability?

The global race to achieve Net Zero by 2050 (Paris Agreement) has placed decarbonization at the forefront of corporate agendas. However, despite significant advancements in geospatial technology, adoption remains slow. The next decade will be critical in determining whether geospatial becomes a mainstream or remains a niche solution known only to a few experts.

Bobbie predicts that in the near future, geospatial solutions will be seamlessly integrated into ESG reporting, much like how navigation technologies are now an invisible yet essential part of daily life. In this scenario, companies will no longer need to “learn” geospatial tools, as they will be embedded into standard decision-making workflows.

Resources for Further Exploration

For those looking to explore decarbonization solutions further, here are some key resources:

• World Green Building Council – Advancing Net Zero
• European Commission – Sustainable Finance & ESG Reporting
• Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Recommendations
• BREEAM Sustainability Assessment Standards

Final Thoughts

Geospatial technology is emerging as a powerful enabler of ESG and decarbonization efforts, offering businesses the tools to assess, monitor, and reduce emissions efficiently. As regulatory compliance requirements intensify and the urgency for climate action increases, the adoption of geospatial solutions will transition from being an option to a necessity.

Innovative approaches, such as DIY LiDAR data collection and multi-sensor integration, are being demonstrated by companies like Magnasoft. These approaches show how the geospatial industry can move beyond academic applications and deliver tangible value to businesses. As the Problem Solved podcast series progresses, it will be intriguing to observe how other industries leverage geospatial intelligence to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.