ESG Exposure Research & Data Collection Services

  • Revenue-based & qualitative exposure research and data collection across 30+ metric categories
  • For ESG screening services/platforms, ESG risk rating models, and index construction
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ESG & Sustainability Consulting

ESG & Sustainability Consulting

Environmental, social, and governance data collection, with cross-pillar verification, metric calculation, and multi-framework mapping.

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ESG EXPOSURE RESEARCH SERVICES

Revenue-Based & Qualitative Exposure Research, Delivered at Scale

Whether you’re feeding an ESG screening platform, building risk ratings, or constructing exclusion-based indices, the bottleneck is almost always the same: getting reliable exposure data at scale. But producing that data is challenging because corporate disclosures, revenue breakdowns, subsidiary descriptions, and almost all related ESG data sources are incomplete, fragmented, or presented in narrative form.

SunTec India solves that problem with end-to-end ESG exposure research services. We research and collect exposure metric data to identify a company’s involvement in sensitive activities through two complementary approaches: quantitative, revenue-based analysis (expressed as a percentage of total revenue) and qualitative assessment (based on company disclosures), providing you with clean, auditable exposure metric data for every company in your coverage universe.

What you receive:

  • Revenue-based exposure percentages per metric
  • Binary exposure flags (Involved / Not Involved) across activity categories such as animal testing or GMO research
  • Production (direct involvement) vs. Participation (indirect involvement) classification
  • Three-tier confidence scoring (Exact Revenue, Best Estimate, Tentative)
  • Full source attribution and audit trail
  • Coverage across 30+ sensitive activity categories

WHO WE SERVE

Built for Teams that Need Defensible ESG Data

We work with organisations across the ESG data value chain, from ESG data providers and risk rating agencies to ESG index constructors, providing reliable data on the exposure metrics their methodologies depend on.

ESG Data & Ratings Providers

Your platform promises comprehensive screening, but expanding in-house exposure coverage requires hiring and training more analysts. We operate as your dedicated back-office research layer — structured data, delivered as per your specifications.

Risk Rating & Credit Rating Agencies

Exposure to controversial activities is a material input to your risk models. We deliver standardized, revenue-attributed exposure data with source traceability, ready to feed directly into your scoring frameworks.

Index Providers & Benchmark Constructors

Exclusion-based and ESG-tilted indices need reliable exposure thresholds. We provide the granular, auditable data your methodology requires — with confidence scoring that supports defensible inclusion and exclusion decisions.

ESG RESEARCH SERVICES: PROCESS

A Proven Exposure Data Research Workflow

Our exposure assessment process combines systematic web research, AI-assisted analysis, data scraping, and rigorous verification by subject-matter experts to deliver accurate, audit-defensible exposure metrics.

1

Scope Definition in Collaboration with the Client

Provide the company names, industry classifications, and the specific exposure metric(s) you need assessed. We also require details on schema requirements, delivery format, confidence thresholds, and any methodology-specific parameters before research begins.

2

ESG Research & AI-Assisted Screening

We conduct a systematic review of company websites, annual reports, and sustainability disclosures supported by AI research platforms to identify potential risk indicators and directional evidence. AI outputs are treated strictly as preliminary leads, not standalone evidence.

3

Manual Data Verification & Deep-Dive Analysis

AI-flagged indicators are verified by an analyst against data sources such as regulatory filings, governance disclosures, investor presentations, and press releases. For complex corporate structures, we trace exposure through subsidiaries, joint ventures, and equity stakes.

4

Revenue Classification

Confirmed exposure is classified into one of three tiers: Exact Revenue (explicitly reported by the company), Best Estimate (calculated from segment or product-level proportions), or Tentative Estimate (assumed when evidence confirms involvement but revenue data is insufficient to quantify).

5

Qualitative Classification

For metrics that do not require revenue quantification — such as animal testing, stem cell research, or GMO involvement — exposure is determined based on whether the company's disclosures, filings, or operational evidence confirm involvement in the activity. Classification is recorded as a binary flag: Involved or Not Involved.

6

Exposure Calculation & Data Delivery

The final exposure percentage is calculated, and the dataset is delivered with full source attribution, confidence tier, direct/indirect involvement, and analyst notes. Data is delivered in your preferred format, mapped to your schema.

EXPOSURE CLASSIFICATION FRAMEWORK

How We Score Confidence on Every Data Point

Not all exposure data carries the same precision. Our four-tier classification system makes the confidence level behind each data point fully transparent.

Classification Confidence When Is It Applied

Exact Revenue

Highest
  • The target company explicitly reports the revenue figure directly attributable to the screened activity.
  • No calculations or adjustments needed.

Best Estimate

Moderate
  • Exact revenue is unavailable.
  • Exposure is estimated by analysing revenue proportions across segments, sub-segments, or products relative to total revenue.
  • Production volume data may be used in place of revenue breakdowns when they are absent.

Tentative Estimate

Indicative
  • Where evidence confirms a company's involvement in the screened activity, but available disclosures lack the revenue detail needed to calculate a precise figure.
  • Exposure is expressed as a conservative default value.
  • To flag the involvement for further client screening without overstating the extent of exposure.

Qualitative Flag

Disclosure-Based
  • Applied to metrics that do not require revenue quantification (e.g., animal testing, GMO research, stem cell research).
  • Involvement is determined based on company disclosures, regulatory filings, or operational evidence.
  • Exposure is recorded as ‘Involved’ or ‘Not Involved’ labels.

ESG EXPOSURE DATA COLLECTION SERVICES: METRICS COVERAGE

What Activities Do We Screen for?

We research company involvement across the full range of ESG-sensitive activities. Each category is assessed for both direct (Production) and indirect (Participation) exposure and involvement.

01

Business Practices Metrics

  • Animal Testing — Companies that conduct, commission, or allow animal testing at any operational stage.
  • Animal Cruelty — Non-compliance with animal welfare standards in the breeding, keeping, care, housing, transportation, or slaughtering of animals.
  • Fur and Exotic Animal Byproducts — Companies involved in the production and/or sale of fur and luxury leather products.

02

Environment & Health-Related Metrics

  • Palm Oil Participation — Companies involved in the production (farming, extraction, processing, refining) of oil from the fruit or kernel of the oil palm tree.
  • Abortifacients Production — Companies involved in the production of substances that cause abortion or miscarriage.
  • Stem Cell Research Participation — Companies that conduct research using stem cells derived from human adult tissue.
  • Embryonic Stem Cell Research Participation — Companies involved in researching human embryos/fetuses or cloning.
  • Agrochemical Production — Companies involved in the production of specialized chemicals for agriculture, such as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
  • GMO Research Participation — Companies involved in any type of GMO research and development activities.
  • GMO Product Production — Companies producing and selling GMO products for agricultural/industrial use or human consumption.
  • Contraceptives Production — Companies that generate revenue from contraception and fertility control products or medications.

03

Consumer Goods Metrics

  • Adult Entertainment Participation — Companies involved in the production and distribution of content and services primarily intended to cause sexual excitement.
  • Tobacco Production — Companies manufacture cigarettes and other tobacco products and/or grow tobacco plants.
  • Tobacco Participation — Companies involved in services like retail, wholesale, distribution, marketing, or promotion of tobacco products.
  • Alcohol Production — Companies generating revenue from the production of alcoholic beverages.
  • Alcohol Participation — Companies involved in retail, wholesale, or provision of alcoholic beverages, or related specialized distribution and marketing services.
  • Gambling Production — Companies generating revenue directly from gambling activities, such as operating casinos or providing betting services.
  • Gambling Participation — Companies generating revenue from gambling-related activities like manufacturing gambling machines, receiving royalties, or retailing low-risk gambling items.

04

Fossil Fuels & Related Energy Metrics

  • Coal Mining Production — Companies involved in coal exploration, extraction, mining, processing, transportation, storage, or coke production.
  • Coal Mining Participation — Companies provide services directly related to coal production, such as supplying equipment, coal trading, or third-party processing.
  • Thermal Coal Production — Companies involved in mining, upstream transportation, and storage specifically for thermal coal used to generate electricity.
  • Oil Fuels Production — Companies involved in extracting oil (crude, bitumen, heavy oils), or supporting exploration, drilling, refining, storing, and transporting oil.
  • Oil Fuels Participation — Companies are indirectly involved in oil through retail, marketing, distribution, service provision (e.g., equipment), logistics, oil-based power generation, and wholesale.
  • Gas Fuels Production — Companies are directly involved in extracting gas fuels (mainly methane) or supporting natural gas production, processing, exploration, drilling, and transportation.
  • Gas Fuels Participation — Companies indirectly involved in gas fuels through retail, marketing, distribution, support services (e.g., equipment), natural gas wholesale, and electricity generation from natural gas.
  • Shale Energy Production — Companies are directly involved in shale energy exploration, production, or upstream/midstream storage and transportation.
  • Shale Energy Participation — Companies involved in products or services for shale energy production/exploration, or non-direct involvement with downstream shale operations.
  • Oil Sands Production — Companies involved in the exploration, extraction, refining, or upstream storage & transportation of oil-sands-based fossil fuels.
  • Oil Sands Participation — Companies involved in products or services for oil sands production, or non-direct involvement with downstream oil sands operations.
  • Arctic Oil Gas Production — Companies involved in the exploration and/or production of oil and gas within Arctic regions.
  • Coal Power Generation Production — Companies involved in the generation of electricity from coal or coal-based fuels for sale or self-use.
  • Coal Power Generation Participation — Companies provide services related to coal power generation, distribution, transmission, design/construction of assets, or reselling third-party generated electricity.

05

Weapon & Defense Involvement Metrics

  • Nuclear Energy Production — Companies engaged in the generation of nuclear energy for power.
  • Nuclear Energy Participation — Companies that manufacture or supply components for nuclear energy facilities.
  • Armament Production — Companies involved in producing conventional weapons and military equipment.
  • Armament Participation — Companies supplying parts, systems, or technology for conventional weapons.
  • Anti-Personnel Landmine Production — Companies that manufacture anti-personnel landmines banned by the Ottawa Treaty.
  • Cluster Bombs Production — Companies engaged in producing cluster munitions are prohibited under international law.
  • Cluster Bobs Participation — Companies that supply parts or technology used in cluster munitions.
  • Chemical and Biological Weapons Production — Companies producing chemical or biological weapons banned by global conventions.
  • White Phosphorous Production — Companies manufacture munitions containing white phosphorus with incendiary effects.
  • Nuclear Weapons Production — Companies involved in the development or production of nuclear weapons.
  • Nuclear Weapons Participation — Companies that provide components or systems for nuclear weapons.
  • Small Arms — Companies that manufacture or sell small arms such as pistols, rifles, and ammunition.
  • Riot Control — Companies producing riot control gear, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and related equipment.

What Sets us Apart

Exposure Metrics Data Collection without any Gaps or Guesswork

With a specialized ESG exposure research service team, SunTec India acts as an extension of your operations. We've built our process around the failure points that most commonly compromise data quality: incomplete disclosures, opaque corporate structures, inconsistent revenue reporting, and the over-reliance on automated outputs without human verification. The result is exposure data that your team doesn't have to second-guess, re-verify, or explain away when a client asks how the number was derived.

Transparent Confidence Scoring

No black-box estimates. Every data point is tagged so your systems can apply appropriate weighting.

Hybrid AI + Manual Verification

Get speed without sacrificing defensibility with an AI-integrated process supervised and verified by subject matter experts (SMEs).

Scale as Required

Whether you need coverage for 500 companies or 50,000, our trained analysts deliver consistent quality at volume.

Security and Compliance

Your data security is our priority

ISO
Certified

HIPAA
compliance

GDPR

GDPR
adherence

Regular
security audits

Encrypted data
transmission

Secure
cloud storage

CONTACT US

Close the Gaps in Your Exposure Coverage with a Trusted Team

Get the granular, analyst-verified data your risk models and indices demand. If you have a specific schema or a complex exclusion logic, our experienced analysts can also build a custom workflow for your team.

Start with a proof-of-concept. Send us a company list and key exposure metrics. We’ll deliver a complimentary sample dataset so you can evaluate our capability before committing.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Exposure Data Research & Collection Services

ESG exposure research services identify and quantify a company’s financial involvement in specific activities, sectors, or assets that may be environmentally harmful, ethically sensitive, or misaligned with sustainability goals. They provide investors with a clear, revenue-based or qualitative measure of how deeply a company is embedded in sectors such as fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco, gambling, alcohol, adult entertainment, and other areas through controversial activity screening and ESG risk exposure data collection.

Exposure data is a foundational input across the ESG data value chain. Data providers need it to power their screening platforms. Risk rating agencies use it as a material input to scoring models. Index constructors rely on it to set defensible exclusion thresholds. In each case, the quality of the upstream research directly affects the credibility of the downstream product. On the other hand, inaccurate or incomplete exposure data creates rebalancing risk, client disputes, and regulatory scrutiny.

Not in the regular sense. Exposure metrics data vendors sell access to a pre-existing database. Our model is different—we conduct bespoke research tailored to your company list, metric definitions, and delivery specifications. Unlike regular ESG exposure data providers, data is collected fresh for each engagement, structured to your schema, and delivered exclusively to your team.

Our core focus is revenue-based exposure data — quantifying what percentage of a company's total revenue is derived from sensitive or controversial activities — and qualitative exposure data — recording involvement in sensitive domains like animal testing, based on company disclosures. This falls under the broader category of activity-based ESG data, where the goal is to identify and measure controversial product involvement at the company level. In addition to company-level data collection, we also cover ESG disclosure data, sector exposure data, geographic exposure data, and environmental, social, and governance data, collected as needed.

Specifically, our ESG research services support:

  • Business involvement screening
  • Product involvement screening
  • Activity-based risk profiling
  • Norms-based research and screening
  • Due diligence data feeds

No. Our ESG exposure data collection service is focused on identifying exposure and measuring the percentage of a company’s total revenue derived from specific activities. However, we do not assess management quality, operational efficiency, or ESG practices within those sectors. For example, a coal mining company earning 70% of its revenue from coal is flagged with 70% exposure, regardless of whether it is the best-managed or poorest-managed operator in its industry. Similarly, a company is flagged for animal testing because it performs the activity, not based on its testing standards.

We gather data from a variety of sources, including annual reports, sustainability reports, corporate governance disclosures, investor presentations, press releases, company websites, and regulatory filings.

For revenue-based metrics, when a company’s disclosures lack sufficient data to quantify exposure, but there is evidence of involvement in sensitive areas, we apply a tentative estimate. This flags the exposure without overstating the extent of the company’s activities under suspicion.

For qualitative metrics, if a company's disclosures are ambiguous — for example, a pharmaceutical company whose filings neither confirm nor deny animal testing — the classification depends on the weight of available evidence. Where credible indicators exist (such as references to preclinical trials, regulatory submissions requiring animal data, or third-party reports), involvement may still be flagged. Where evidence is genuinely inconclusive, the metric is marked as ‘Unconfirmed’, with analyst notes detailing what was reviewed and why a definitive classification could not be made.

'Production' refers to a company that directly makes the product or operates the facility (such as extraction, manufacturing, or refining) that falls under any risk category. 'Participation' refers to indirect involvement, such as retail, distribution, support services, financial stakes, or marketing. Most exclusion methodologies treat these differently, and our data is structured to reflect that distinction.

Yes. Our team will collaborate with yours during onboarding to define the exact format, field mapping, and delivery cadence, and then map the final data to your specific schema and format.

The timeline for a pilot depends on factors such as the number of companies, the complexity of the metrics, and the quality of disclosures. You can get a more informed estimate of the timeline if you share your requirements with us at info@suntecindia.com.

Yes. Our ESG exposure data collection services include the processing of non-English disclosures. We are also transparent about the added complexity of translation, and flag any potential interpretation risks in our analyst notes.

We use bots like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, and Gemini to discover initial leads, directing analysts toward where exposure-related evidence is likely to exist. However, before any AI-generated lead is pursued, analysts complete a mandatory lead verification check: they confirm that the referenced document, filing, or source actually exists and is accessible through its cited location. Only leads that pass this check enter the active research queue. AI-generated leads that cannot be verified as genuine are discarded and logged as unverified. This log is retained as part of the audit trail to monitor patterns of AI tool unreliability in ESG data research over time.

We start with a baseline recency benchmark (no data point older than 18 months). However, different exposure metrics age at very different rates. A company's physical asset locations or facility count changes slowly. But regulatory violations, environmental incidents, or workforce injury rates need a very current assessment. Depending on the ESG risk rating requirements, we build this schedule collaboratively with the client.

Two clients may define alcohol exposure differently — as "any revenue from production" and as "revenue exceeding 5% of total sales," for example. Both produce different data collection scopes. Additionally, exposure can be

  • Inherent: Risks that come with operating in an industry
  • Company-specific: Two companies in the same industry can have very different exposure profiles based on what they actually do
  • Geographic: Risk profiles of the regions in which the company's operations are concentrated
  • Revenue-dependent: Risks associated with the buyers
  • Regulatory: Jurisdiction-based compliance and legal risks

So, we define the ESG exposure research and data collection service scope depending on the client’s requirements and the type of target companies they list.

Yes. We can produce structured, analyst-verified exposure datasets with confidence scoring and involvement-type labels that are well-suited as training data for AI/ML models. Beyond exposure data collection, SunTec India offers a full range of AI data services that can support ESG model development, including data annotation, LLM fine-tuning, data preprocessing, and human-in-the-loop AI model validation. We can produce structured, analyst-verified ESG training datasets and work with your team to define custom labeling schemas calibrated to your model's requirements. To explore how our AI data services and ESG domain expertise can work together for your project, reach out at info@suntecindia.com.