From Data to Insights: How We Helped OECD to Perform a Regional Sustainability Analysis.
In a nutshell
In collaboration with a team of researchers, we brought data and innovation together to tackle a pressing question: How are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contributing to environmental sustainability? With our extensive know-how in the fields of web data and machine learning, we developed a “greening” indicator that revealed how firms in 15 OECD countries incorporate sustainable practices. This regional analysis provided policymakers with vital insights to design tailored strategies for fostering greener economic practices.
What was the challenge?
SMEs represent a significant portion of global economic activity, yet their contributions to environmental goals were underexplored compared to larger firms. The task required processing vast amounts of multilingual website data, identifying concrete greening practices, and linking these to regional economic and policy frameworks. The ultimate goal was to create a tool that captured not just the presence of environmental initiatives but also how these differed across regions.
How did we help?
We provided the tools and expertise to bring this ambitious vision to life. Our web data capabilities allowed the collection of textual content from over one million corporate websites, spanning diverse regions and languages. Using advanced machine learning models, we classified and extracted references to environmental practices such as solar energy, recycling, and circularity.
But the key value lay in linking this information to firm-level and regional data. By combining website insights with economic metrics, we enabled the researchers to paint a detailed picture of how SME greening behaviors varied between countries, regions, and industries. This analysis highlighted disparities, such as the higher prevalence of greening SMEs in Belgium and France compared to lower levels in the Baltic states and parts of Eastern Europe.
Read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1787/ddd00999-en
How did we add value?
By capturing the nuances of SME environmental engagement across geographies, we helped reveal critical patterns: Where green initiatives were thriving and where gaps existed. This regional focus allowed policymakers to identify areas needing targeted support, such as incentives for renewable energy in underperforming regions or programs promoting recycling in industrial hubs.
The study, now published by the OECD, became a cornerstone for understanding how regions differ in their environmental progress. It showed that greening SMEs often clustered in areas with supportive policies, robust economic performance, and engaged local industries. By focusing on regional dynamics, we helped academia and policymakers connect the dots between local actions and global goals, helping policymakers to craft the right strategies to drive sustainable development.