Case Study: How Planet First Helped a Market Intelligence Firm to Improve Its EcoVadis Score
Case Study 2 Home How Planet First Helped a Market Intelligence Firm Improve Its EcoVadis Score from 28 to 76: A Case Study Introduction For companies operating in the UAE—whether serving multinational supply chains, exporting to European markets, or responding to procurement requirements from sustainability-conscious buyers—EcoVadis assessments have become unavoidable. Yet many organizations approach their first EcoVadis submission without understanding what the platform actually evaluates or how scoring logic works. This case study examines how Planet First Consultancy systematically improved a market intelligence firm’s EcoVadis score from 28/100 to 76/100, analyzing the specific gaps identified, interventions implemented, and scoring improvements achieved across all four EcoVadis themes. The insights are directly applicable to UAE-based companies facing similar assessment challenges. Company Context & Sustainability Starting Point The client operates in the market research and business intelligence sector, providing data analytics, consumer insights, and strategic intelligence services to global brands and multinationals. While their business model carries lower environmental impact than manufacturing or logistics operations, they face significant ESG exposure through data privacy, labor practices, supplier relationships, and ethical business conduct. The company registered for EcoVadis assessment after a major client made improved sustainability performance a contract renewal condition. Like many professional services firms in the UAE, they had informal sustainability practices but lacked the documented policies, measurable actions, and performance tracking systems that EcoVadis methodology requires. Initial EcoVadis Performance (Before Planet First) The company’s initial assessment yielded an overall score of 28/100, placing them in the bottom quartile of their industry peer group: Environment: 20/100 Labor & Human Rights: 40/100 Ethics: 20/100 Sustainable Procurement: 20/100 This performance reflected early-stage ESG maturity. The company had some labor practices scoring “Advanced” (75 points in Measures) and reasonable policies in Labor & Human Rights (50 points), but three of four themes showed critical weaknesses. Most concerning were the zeros across Policies in Environment, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement, and complete absence of Reporting across all themes. The score indicated a company with operational practices but inadequate documentation architecture, strategic framing, and evidence presentation to satisfy EcoVadis verification requirements—a pattern we frequently observe with UAE companies undergoing first assessments. Get Free Consultation With Our Experts Contact Us Gap Assessment & Diagnostic Insights Planet First’s diagnostic review identified systematic gaps across EcoVadis’s three-pillar scoring logic: Policies, Actions, and Results. Policy gaps Three themes showed zero or insufficient policy scores. The company lacked formal environmental management policies, ethics and anti-corruption frameworks, and sustainable procurement guidelines. Existing labor policies were documented but not strategically framed or aligned with international standards. Action gaps While Labor practices showed strength, environmental measures were non-existent (no energy management, waste reduction, or carbon tracking), ethics actions were undocumented (despite informal compliance practices), and supplier engagement was reactive rather than strategic. Reporting gaps Complete absence of sustainability reporting meant zero points across all themes in this indicator. The company generated no KPIs, tracked no performance trends, and published no sustainability communications—a critical weakness as EcoVadis heavily rewards transparency. Evidence gaps Perhaps most importantly, the company couldn’t prove existing practices. They had informal environmental initiatives, ethical conduct training, and supplier evaluations, but without documented procedures, records, or performance data, these efforts scored zero. Planet First Consultancy Approach Our intervention followed a structured methodology prioritizing high-impact, score-driving improvements aligned with EcoVadis’s weighting logic. Phase 1 Policy Architecture Development We prioritized policy creation as EcoVadis awards significant points for documented commitment statements. This involved developing comprehensive policy frameworks across all four themes, ensuring alignment with international standards (ILO conventions, UN principles, ISO concepts) while reflecting actual operational practices. Phase 2 Action Documentation and Enhancement Next, we documented existing actions that were invisible to EcoVadis, while implementing new measures addressing identified gaps. This meant creating evidence trails for informal practices and establishing new programs where genuine gaps existed. Phase 3 Results Framework Implementation We established KPI tracking systems, performance monitoring processes, and reporting mechanisms transforming operational data into verifiable results. This included carbon footprinting, waste tracking, employee metrics, and supplier scorecards. Phase 4 Evidence Packaging and Submission Finally, we structured all documentation according to EcoVadis evidence requirements, ensuring policies referenced recognized standards, actions demonstrated systematic implementation, and results showed measurable outcomes. Get Free Consultation With Our Experts Contact Us In-Depth Category-Wise Improvements Environment (20/100 → 80/100) Initial StateThe company had zero environmental policy, no documented environmental measures, no certifications, and no environmental reporting. The 20/100 score came entirely from Coverage (recognizing company size/sector) and 360° Watch (external controversies check). Planet First Interventions: Policies (0 → 100 “Outstanding”): We developed comprehensive environmental policy addressing energy management, waste reduction, resource efficiency, carbon emissions, and environmental compliance. The policy referenced ISO 14001 principles, included management commitment statements, covered operational scope, and outlined accountability structures. This achieved maximum policy points. Measures (0 → 75 “Advanced”): We implemented and documented: Energy consumption monitoring across office facilities Waste segregation and recycling programs Carbon footprint calculation methodology (Scope 1, 2, and business travel) Paperless office initiatives with measurable targets Green procurement guidelines for office supplies Employee environmental awareness training These actions demonstrated systematic environmental management appropriate to the company’s impact profile. Reporting (0 → 50 “Good”): We established quarterly environmental KPI tracking including energy consumption per FTE, waste diversion rates, and carbon intensity metrics. The company began publishing annual environmental performance summaries in their sustainability communications. Why EcoVadis Rewarded This: The improvements transformed environmental management from non-existent to systematically managed with documented policy commitment, implemented measures across operations, and transparent performance reporting—demonstrating genuine maturity progression. UAE Relevance: Professional services companies in the UAE often assume low environmental impact exempts them from environmental management. EcoVadis assesses relative to sector—establishing basic energy, waste, and carbon systems appropriate to operational profile is essential and achievable. Labor & Human Rights (40/100 → 78/100) Initial StateThe company showed moderate strength with 50-point policy score and 75-point measures score, indicating existing HR practices. However, missing reporting, certifications, and policy gaps limited performance. Planet First Interventions: Policies (50 “Good” → 75 “Advanced”): We enhanced existing HR policies by: Strengthening health and safety policy
