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Generating Reports

This tutorial guides you through the process of creating, customizing, and sharing emissions reports for different stakeholders using Carbon GPT.

Prerequisites

Tutorial Overview

In this tutorial, you will learn how to:

  1. Select the appropriate report type
  2. Configure report parameters
  3. Customize report content and appearance
  4. Create interactive data visualizations
  5. Generate and review reports
  6. Export and share reports with stakeholders
  7. Set up automated reporting
  8. Create custom report templates

Report Types and Use Cases

Standard Report Types

  1. Navigate to Reports > Standard Reports
  2. Review available report types:
    • Emissions Summary Report - Overview of total emissions by scope
    • Detailed Emissions Report - Comprehensive breakdown of all emission sources
    • Compliance Reports - Pre-configured for regulatory requirements
    • Trend Analysis Report - Emissions over time with year-over-year comparisons
    • Benchmark Report - Comparison against industry standards or internal targets

Matching Reports to Stakeholder Needs

StakeholderRecommended Report TypeKey Focus Areas
Executive LeadershipExecutive DashboardHigh-level metrics, trends, financial implications
Sustainability TeamDetailed Emissions ReportComplete data, methodologies, reduction opportunities
InvestorsESG Performance ReportMaterial emissions, risks, targets, progress
RegulatorsCompliance ReportsMandatory disclosures, verification data
CustomersProduct Carbon FootprintEmissions associated with specific products/services

Compliance vs. Internal Reporting

  • Compliance Reports:

    • Adhere to specific regulatory frameworks
    • Include mandatory disclosures
    • Follow prescribed calculation methodologies
    • Require audit trails and verification data

  • Internal Reports:

    • Focus on operational insights
    • Include additional context and analysis
    • Can incorporate forward-looking projections
    • Often include reduction recommendations

Configuring Report Parameters

Setting the Reporting Period

  1. Navigate to Reports > New Report
  2. Select the report type
  3. Define the reporting period:
    • Calendar year (Jan-Dec)
    • Fiscal year
    • Custom date range
    • Quarter or month

Defining Organizational Boundaries

  1. Select the organizational boundary approach:
    • Operational control
    • Financial control
    • Equity share
  2. Choose facilities, departments, or business units to include
  3. Configure subsidiary inclusion rules

Selecting Emission Scopes

  1. Choose which emission scopes to include:
    • Scope 1 (direct emissions)
    • Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy)
    • Scope 3 (other indirect emissions)
  2. Select specific emission categories within each scope
  3. Configure category-specific parameters

Choosing Comparison Periods

  1. Select baseline year for comparison
  2. Add additional comparison periods:
    • Previous year
    • Previous quarter
    • Custom period
  3. Configure comparison metrics (absolute vs. intensity)

Creating Interactive Data Visualizations

Accessing Visualization Tools

  1. Navigate to Reports > Visualizations
  2. Select Create New Visualization or choose from templates
  3. Choose the data source for your visualization

Chart Types and Their Applications

Chart TypeBest Used ForConfiguration Options
Pie ChartsShowing proportion of emissions by scope or categoryExploded segments, color schemes, labels
Bar ChartsComparing emissions across facilities or time periodsStacked/grouped, horizontal/vertical, sorting
Line ChartsDisplaying emission trends over timeMultiple series, markers, annotations
Heat MapsIdentifying hotspots across facilities or departmentsColor gradients, cell sizing, tooltips
Sankey DiagramsVisualizing emission flows through the organizationFlow direction, node positioning, color coding

Creating Advanced Visualizations

  1. Navigate to Reports > Advanced Visualizations
  2. Select the visualization type
  3. Configure data sources and parameters
  4. Add interactive elements:
    • Drill-down capabilities
    • Filters and slicers
    • Tooltips with additional context
    • Clickable elements for detailed views

Customizing Visualization Appearance

  1. Adjust colors, fonts, and styles
  2. Add titles, legends, and annotations
  3. Configure axis properties and scales
  4. Apply conditional formatting
  5. Add corporate branding elements

For more details on data visualization, see the Data Visualization tutorial.

Customizing Report Content

Adding Executive Summary

  1. Navigate to the Executive Summary section
  2. Enter key findings and highlights
  3. Include year-over-year comparisons
  4. Add progress against targets
  5. Summarize major emission sources

Selecting Charts and Visualizations

  1. Click Add Visualization
  2. Choose from your saved visualizations or create new ones
  3. Arrange visualizations in the report layout
  4. Add captions and context

Customizing Data Tables

  1. Click Add Table
  2. Select data to include in the table
  3. Configure column headers and formatting
  4. Add totals and subtotals
  5. Apply conditional formatting to highlight key data

Adding Context and Narrative

  1. Add text blocks to provide context
  2. Include methodology descriptions
  3. Add notes on data quality and assumptions
  4. Provide explanations for significant changes
  5. Include recommendations based on findings

Applying Branding Elements

  1. Navigate to Report Settings > Branding
  2. Upload your organization's logo
  3. Set brand colors and fonts
  4. Add custom headers and footers
  5. Include legal disclaimers if required

Creating Custom Report Templates

Designing a Custom Template

  1. Navigate to Reports > Templates > Create New
  2. Start with a blank template or modify an existing one
  3. Define the template structure:
    • Cover page
    • Table of contents
    • Section headers
    • Data placeholders
    • Visualization placeholders
  4. Save the template with a descriptive name

Using Custom Fields in Reports

  1. Navigate to Reports > Custom Fields
  2. Create report-specific custom fields
  3. Configure how custom fields appear in reports
  4. Set default values and formatting

Saving and Sharing Templates

  1. Save your template to your personal library or team library
  2. Set permissions for template usage
  3. Add documentation for template users
  4. Create template variations for different use cases

Generating and Reviewing Reports

Running the Report Generation Process

  1. Navigate to Reports > Generate
  2. Select the report template
  3. Configure final parameters
  4. Click Generate Report
  5. Wait for the processing to complete

Reviewing for Accuracy and Completeness

  1. Check all data points for accuracy
  2. Ensure all required sections are complete
  3. Verify calculation methodologies
  4. Review for consistency with previous reports
  5. Check for data gaps or anomalies

Making Adjustments

  1. Click Edit Report to make changes
  2. Update visualizations as needed
  3. Refine narrative sections
  4. Add additional context where required
  5. Regenerate the report after changes

Adding Final Touches

  1. Add page numbers and references
  2. Update the table of contents
  3. Add appendices with supporting data
  4. Include glossary of terms
  5. Add contact information for questions

Exporting and Sharing Reports

Available Export Formats

  1. Navigate to Reports > Export
  2. Choose from available formats:
    • PDF (for formal distribution)
    • Excel (for data analysis)
    • PowerPoint (for presentations)
    • HTML (for web publishing)
    • CSV (for data integration)

Sharing Options Within the Platform

  1. Navigate to Reports > Share
  2. Choose sharing method:
    • Direct link (with optional password protection)
    • Email to specific users
    • Publish to organization portal
    • Embed in internal websites

Setting Access Permissions

  1. Click Manage Permissions
  2. Set access levels:
    • View only
    • Comment
    • Edit
    • Full control
  3. Set expiration date for access if needed
  4. Track who has accessed the report

Setting Up Automated Reporting

Scheduling Recurring Reports

  1. Navigate to Reports > Schedule
  2. Select the report template
  3. Set the frequency:
    • Daily
    • Weekly
    • Monthly
    • Quarterly
    • Annually
  4. Configure delivery options:
    • Email recipients
    • File format
    • Include summary in email body

Configuring Notification Rules

  1. Navigate to Reports > Notifications
  2. Set up alerts for:
    • Report generation completion
    • Data quality issues
    • Significant changes in emissions
    • Approaching reporting deadlines

Managing Report Versions

  1. Navigate to Reports > Version History
  2. View all generated versions of a report
  3. Compare versions to identify changes
  4. Restore previous versions if needed
  5. Add version notes for audit purposes

Example Reports

Annual Sustainability Report

  • Comprehensive overview of all emissions
  • Year-over-year comparisons
  • Progress against reduction targets
  • Narrative on sustainability initiatives
  • Forward-looking commitments

CDP Submission Report

  • Structured according to CDP requirements
  • Includes all mandatory disclosures
  • Provides supporting documentation
  • Includes verification statements
  • Addresses specific CDP scoring criteria

Executive Dashboard

  • High-level metrics and KPIs
  • Financial implications of emissions
  • Benchmark against competitors
  • Risk assessment
  • Strategic recommendations

Facility Comparison Report

  • Side-by-side comparison of facilities
  • Normalized metrics (e.g., emissions per square foot)
  • Identification of best practices
  • Improvement opportunities
  • Ranking of facilities by efficiency

Reduction Progress Report

  • Tracking against reduction targets
  • Impact of implemented initiatives
  • Cost-benefit analysis of reduction measures
  • Projected future reductions
  • Recommendations for additional measures

Next Steps