Ian Van Der Vlugt, VP of Product & Research at Datamaran, on AI in ESG and Dissolving the Roadblocks in Disclosure and Reporting

In this episode, Amanda Hsieh talks with Ian Van Der Vlugt, VP of Product & Research for Datamaran, a software analytics platform that monitors external ESG risks in real-time and brings a data-driven business process for materiality analysis.  Ian manages product development, working with internal and external stakeholders to deliver the greatest product value for clients. He also oversees the creation of product-related data, content, and research.  Before joining Datamaran, Ian was the head of the data team at CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), managing the organization's data cleaning and modeling work and associated projects, primarily through a climate change lens. He also previously worked at the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), growing its Sustainability Disclosure Database, and bridging technical and content work. In the space of ESG reporting, policy and technology, things are evolving quickly. From remote sensing, to blockchain, to AI, there is a lot to know…but ESG Decoded has you covered! Listen as Amanda and Ian review the concept of materiality from an ESG perspective and discuss how AI is improving the materiality assessment process and increasing efficiencies related to disclosures and reporting. As with other ESG/Sustainability topics, the views on these issues may vary based on the region of the world. As a resource boost for this episode, it was recently announced that  Deloitte & Touche SpA is also using Datamaran to expand their research and analytics capabilities in conducting assurance of sustainability disclosure by providing evidence-based insights. Subscribe to ESG Decoded where you consume your podcasts and connect via social media to share your feedback and topic suggestions. Enjoy this episode!