Decarbonization Analytics: How Integrated Data Platforms Drive Emissions Reduction and Profitability

Energy and commodities companies are at a pivotal crossroads. As global climate goals intensify and regulatory demands increase, the sector faces mounting pressure to decarbonize while maintaining profitability and operational excellence. The challenge is clear: how can organizations move from sustainability ambition to measurable action—especially in industries where complex, siloed operations have long obscured the full picture of emissions and efficiency?

The answer lies in the integration of value chain analytics and digital transformation. By unifying data, breaking down operational silos, and leveraging advanced analytics, energy and commodities companies can unlock new levels of efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across their entire value chain.

Historically, energy and commodities operations have been hampered by fragmented data systems, manual processes, and localized decision-making. This siloed approach makes it difficult to identify opportunities for improvement, comply with evolving regulations, or track progress against decarbonization targets. Leading organizations are overcoming these barriers by implementing integrated, cloud-based data platforms. These platforms centralize information from trading, operations, ERP, HSE, and external sources, harmonizing it into a single source of truth. The result is a real-time, enterprise-wide view of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—empowering business users with actionable insights and predictive analytics.

A global energy corporation operating in over 40 countries faced the challenge of scattered emissions and energy data across multiple regional systems. By partnering to design and implement a Greenhouse Gas Emissions & Energy Efficiency Platform, the company achieved:

• Unified, real-time visibility of emissions and energy consumption by asset, facility, and geography
• Automated data quality checks and certification for improved business confidence
• Advanced analytics, including what-if scenario modeling and predictive forecasts
• Drill-down capabilities to identify high-carbon assets and prioritize remediation

The impact was transformative: over five years, the company realized a measurable reduction in GHG emissions, a 4.4% improvement in energy efficiency, and over $200 million in operational savings. The platform also enabled compliance with regional regulations and fostered a culture of data-driven, collaborative decision-making.

Modernizing the value chain is about more than technology—it’s about reimagining how teams work together. By breaking down silos between trading, logistics, refining, and marketing, companies can:

• Enable collaborative, transparent decision-making
• Automate manual, error-prone processes
• Surface previously hidden opportunities for efficiency and emissions reduction

For example, a major downstream energy company built a Value Chain Analytics & Visualization Platform that unified data from across the business. This enabled:

• Real-time insights that improved crude acquisition margins and refinery utilization
• Automated workflows that reduced inventory and increased profitability by 10%
• A consistent digital experience and speedy access to insights for all users

The company is now on track to deliver $500 million in value by 2025, with sustainability and operational efficiency going hand in hand.

Drawing on extensive experience in the sector, here are actionable steps for embedding decarbonization into value chain modernization:

1. Unify Data Across the Value Chain: Migrate from legacy, on-premise systems to cloud-based platforms that centralize data from all business functions. This creates the foundation for advanced analytics and cross-functional collaboration.
2. Automate and Streamline Processes: Replace manual workflows with automated, user-friendly solutions that reduce errors and free up teams to focus on value-added activities.
3. Empower Business Users: Provide self-serve analytics and real-time dashboards, enabling teams to make decisions based on the latest, most accurate information.
4. Align Teams Around Shared Outcomes: Break down organizational silos by aligning incentives and KPIs across trading, logistics, refining, and marketing. Encourage multidisciplinary teams to collaborate on enterprise-wide goals.
5. Iterate and Scale: Start with high-impact use cases, deliver minimum viable products quickly, and iterate based on user feedback. Scale successful solutions across the organization for maximum impact.

The benefits of integrating value chain analytics with decarbonization efforts extend far beyond compliance:

• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined workflows and automated reporting reduce costs and free up teams for higher-value work.
• Risk Reduction: Unified data and automated compliance checks minimize regulatory and operational risks.
• Revenue Growth: Real-time insights enable faster, more informed decisions, allowing companies to capitalize on market opportunities.
• Sustainability: Accurate, actionable data supports emissions tracking, target setting, and transparent reporting—key to meeting stakeholder and regulatory expectations.

The journey to profitable sustainability is shaped by regional realities:

• North America: Utilities are modernizing ETRM architectures and deploying carbon management platforms that go beyond compliance, supporting rapid growth in renewables and distributed energy.
• Europe: Utilities lead with ambitious decarbonization targets, integrating renewables at scale and leveraging data and AI to optimize grid operations and customer experiences.
• Asia-Pacific: Rapid urbanization and rising energy demand require scalable digital platforms and cloud-based systems for real-time visibility and actionable insights.
• Middle East: Regional leaders are modernizing operations through cloud migration and advanced analytics, achieving measurable reductions in GHG emissions and operational costs, while supporting smart city initiatives.

With over 30 years of experience in energy and commodities, Publicis Sapient is uniquely positioned to guide organizations through large-scale, cross-functional transformation. Our SPEED capabilities—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI—ensure that every solution is tailored to your unique needs and delivers measurable business outcomes. We don’t just implement technology; we co-create the future of your business, helping you move from isolated digital upgrades to true value chain modernization.

The future of energy and commodities is connected, agile, and sustainable. By leveraging integrated data platforms and value chain analytics, companies can drive measurable improvements in energy efficiency and emissions reduction—future-proofing their business and leading the charge toward a low-carbon future.

Connect with Publicis Sapient’s experts to start your transformation journey today.

Relevant Links

• Breaking Silos to Modernize the Energy Value Chain for a Profitable Energy Transition
• Modernización de la Cadena de Valor Energética en América Latina: Rompiendo Silos para la Sostenibilidad y la Rentabilidad (LATAM)
• Breaking Silos to Modernize the Energy Value Chain for a Profitable Energy Transition
• Regional Value Chain Modernization: Tailoring VCM for Power & Utilities in North America and Europe
• Value Chain Modernization in Oil & Gas: Breaking Down Silos for End-to-End Efficiency
• Modernización de la Cadena de Valor Energética en América Latina: Rompiendo Silos para la Sostenibilidad y la Rentabilidad (LATAM)
• Modernización de la Cadena de Valor Energética en América Latina: Rompiendo Silos para la Sostenibilidad y la Rentabilidad (LATAM)
• Moderniser la chaîne de valeur énergétique en Europe : Un impératif pour la compétitivité et la durabilité (Europe)
• Moderniser la chaîne de valeur énergétique en Europe : Un impératif pour la compétitivité et la durabilité (Europe)