ESGpedia Pte Ltd, a leading provider of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data and technology solutions, has partnered with the SPARK programme to support ESG reporting for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines. This collaboration with GRI ASEAN and the Philippines Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) aims to help Filipino SMEs improve transparency and adopt sustainable business practices by streamlining their ESG disclosures.
As part of this partnership, ESGpedia has integrated the SPARK reporting template, referred to as the SPARK Template, into its digital platform. Filipino SMEs can now use this tool to follow standardised guidelines for ESG disclosures, which align with the Sustainability Reporting Guidelines set by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). ESGpedia has also collaborated with the DTI to conduct a series of workshops, guiding SMEs on how to use the new digital template effectively.
Advancing sustainable practices through simplified ESG reporting
The SPARK Template, now available on ESGpedia, offers SMEs a digital reporting system equipped with guidance notes to clarify disclosure requirements, helping businesses to align with regulatory standards and adopt more sustainable practices. This template acts as a digital assessment tool that simplifies the ESG reporting process, making it easier for SMEs to understand and meet their obligations.
In addition to the template, ESGpedia provides an embedded carbon calculator, which enables Filipino SMEs to calculate their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using methodologies from the GHG Protocol and ISO14064 standards, this automated calculator helps SMEs gain insights into their carbon footprint, allowing them to identify areas for improvement. This tool is intended to support businesses as they work towards compliance with local and international standards and prepare for future global ESG regulations.
Emma C. Asusano, Director of DTI's Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, expressed her support, saying, “As Filipino SMEs adopt sustainable practices, the SPARK Template on the ESGpedia platform enhances transparency and simplifies ESG reporting. This integration boosts access to sustainable financing, attracts responsible investors, and strengthens SMEs' resilience and competitiveness, aligning them with global standards and advancing the country's sustainable development goals.”
SAFE initiative provides technological support for SMEs
This collaboration forms part of a five-year partnership between GRI and DTI to encourage sustainability practices among Filipino SMEs. ESGpedia's involvement supports the SAFE Initiative, a broader effort to close data and disclosure gaps across the Asia Pacific. As the official technology partner for the SAFE Initiative, ESGpedia provides essential digital tools to simplify sustainability reporting for SMEs, enhancing the effectiveness of the SPARK programme.
Katreena Pillejera, Country Manager for GRI ASEAN in the Philippines, highlighted the programme's impact, noting, “As GRI and DTI advance on our 5-year collaboration, we realise the need to harness the power of technology to make the lives of SMEs even easier when it comes to sustainability reporting. Bringing the SAFE Initiative, as powered by ESGpedia, into the SPARK pilot programme not only provides a technological option for SMEs, but also for DTI, to analyse data at the tip of their fingers.”
Benjamin Soh, Founder and Managing Director of ESGpedia, underscored the importance of digital solutions in supporting sustainability, saying, “Digital enablement is key to helping SMEs embrace sustainability and maintain competitiveness amidst rising demand and regulations. As part of our broader commitment to empowering sustainability in the Asia Pacific region through the SAFE Initiative, we are delighted to be collaborating with GRI ASEAN and the Philippines Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) to streamline ESG reporting for Filipino SMEs through the digitalisation of the SPARK Template on ESGpedia.”
Positive uptake and feedback from Filipino SMEs
SMEs have responded positively to the digital SPARK Template. After a series of pilot workshops, 67% of SME participants agreed that the template is user-friendly, with 33% strongly agreeing. Furthermore, 58% strongly agreed that technology can simplify business processes related to ESG reporting. Every respondent also expressed a preference for using the ESGpedia digitalised SPARK Template over the previous Excel-based format.
With its presence across the Asia Pacific, ESGpedia continues to support businesses in ESG reporting in line with both international and local standards, including frameworks like ISSB, GRI, PCAF, SEDG, and SuRe Form. This digital innovation is aimed at encouraging responsible business practices among Filipino SMEs, aligning them with global sustainability goals.
