In our latest Spotlight Interview, we spoke to Helen Cave-Penney, Commercial Director, Scaler. Helen shares how Scaler was created to solve the challenges of fragmented and manual ESG data in real estate, and how their platform is helping asset managers move from compliance-driven reporting to actionable decarbonisation strategies across complex portfolios.”Scaler solves ESG data challenges with a unified platform designed to streamline collection, validation, and reporting. Our platform supports multiple ingestion methods—including automated APIs, user-friendly, bill scraping capabilities, survey tools, and bulk upload portals—ensuring that data from utilities, tenants, and on-site systems can be captured efficiently.”

Q1- Can you tell us a bit more about what inspired the founding of Scaler and how has your journey been so far?

Scaler was born from a very practical challenge our founders kept seeing across the industry — ESG data was fragmented, manually managed, and more importantly rarely actionable. They saw asset managers and ESG teams spending weeks chasing utility bills, formatting spreadsheets, and struggling to align their reporting with frameworks like GRESB, SFDR, or CSRD. They believed it didn’t have to be this hard. So they built Scaler: an end-to-end ESG data platform specifically for real estate. The journey since then has been incredible. Scaler has grown from a small team focused on automation into a platform trusted by some of the largest investors in the world, helping portfolios turn ESG reporting into ESG performance..

Q2- How does Scaler support clients in streamlining ESG data collection, especially across large or complex portfolios?

Our approach is twofold: automate wherever possible, and simplify everywhere else. Scaler connects directly to utility providers, smart meters, building systems, and tenant platforms via APIs — so the data comes in automatically. For the remaining gaps, we use smart surveys, ML estimations, and a centralized upload portal. But more than just collecting data, we help teams manage and validate it in one place, with full visibility across their portfolios. The result? Less time cleaning data, more time using it.

Q3- Could you tell us more about your decarbonisation roadmaps and how clients are using them to meet net zero goals?

Scaler’s decarbonisation roadmaps are purpose-built to help real estate owners and asset managers translate net zero commitments into actionable plans. Our platform enables clients to scenario-plan decarbonisation pathways at both asset and portfolio levels, aligned with frameworks like CRREM or custom targets. Users can model CAPEX needs, implementation timelines, and expected emissions reductions to make data-driven investment decisions.

Clients actively use these roadmaps to benchmark performance, isolate high-risk assets, and prioritise upgrades that align with their climate goals. Integrated tracking tools also support ongoing evaluation of progress against targets, making it easier to manage transition risks and demonstrate compliance with emerging regulatory frameworks.

Q4-Data quality and accessibility are common barriers in ESG. How does Scaler address this challenge for real estate organisations?

Scaler solves ESG data challenges with a unified platform designed to streamline collection, validation, and reporting. Our platform supports multiple ingestion methods—including automated APIs, user-friendly, bill scraping capabilities, survey tools, and bulk upload portals—ensuring that data from utilities, tenants, and on-site systems can be captured efficiently.

To ensure data quality, Scaler applies AI-based estimation for gaps, outlier detection, and a built-in scoring system that tracks coverage and completeness. These features reduce manual intervention, improve auditability, and provide stakeholders with real-time visibility across their portfolios.

Our clients have significantly reduced the time and effort needed to prepare for reporting frameworks like CSRD and SFDR to name a few, while increasing confidence in their ESG disclosures.

Q5- Finally, what’s next for Scaler? Are there any upcoming features, partnerships, or goals you’re particularly excited about?

Scaler is rapidly evolving to meet the growing demands of the ESG landscape through AI features. In 2025, we are launching new modules that are AI driven to support embodied carbon tracking and integrating climate risk data from leading providers to support holistic risk assessments.

We’re also expanding our regulatory compliance toolkit to automate new frameworks like ASRS and updated EU Taxonomy requirements, and enhancing our audit-readiness capabilities with deeper integrations for financial assurance.

Beyond technology, we’re strengthening strategic partnerships in the climate data ecosystem and scaling our global presence following a successful funding round. Our goal remains the same: to empower real estate organisations with tools that not only simplify ESG reporting but drive real decarbonisation outcomes.