The Importance of Efficient Environmental Data Management

There are several factors that contribute to a business’ success through the incorporation of efficient environmental data management. Current market trends undergoing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process are finding more involvement with the storage of environmental data, in some cases utilizing various offsite facilities.

More and more often projects undergoing the CEQA and NEPA process are requiring large attention to environmental data management. Seems like not too long ago (before the inclusion of data management strategies), it was too easy to get overwhelmed or lost in piles of paperwork undergoing the CEQA or NEPA process.

Until recently, environmental data has evolved and is typically stored in various computer systems. Unfortunately, in this case, data gathered can be stored throughout various network drives and difficult to obtain. Gathering necessary data within various systems and organizations can make it difficult to coordinate and manage efforts of other specialists, consequently causing time delays and additional effects.

Instead of having a large, scattered, multi-tiered system that will inevitably slow productivity, the new trend is to keep it all in one location.  This system will  have everything at hand and instantly accessible within a single location for an individual. Having access to all data from one location can ultimately help save staff hours every week.

Using specialized environmental data management software streamlines environmental data and allows an individual remote access, while emphasizing efficiency.

It can be said that environmental data mangement can improve efficiency when undergoing the CEQA and NEPA process.  Beyond centralizing your data for CEQA and NEPA, you can use information systems for all your sustainability and environmental data including: carbon accounting, sustainability, environmental compliance, supply chain management, etc. Many third parties provide a listing or assessment of the different software on the market today including Verdantix, Groom Energy, Ovum, and Gartner to name a few.

Ultimately, implementing an environmental software solution specifically designed by environmental specialists for environmental managers could potentially streamline the data management process, while maximizing efficiency and productivity.

Did you enjoy this post? The author of this article is Charles Holocombe. Learn more about him here.