Datamaran, the ESG-focused software analytics firm based in London, has launched a new platform aimed at supporting sustainability professionals as they navigate an increasingly complex operating environment. The platform, named Harbor, is designed to foster peer-to-peer engagement, provide expert resources, and offer tools to help users stay abreast of swiftly evolving global sustainability regulations.
The company, founded in 2014, offers an AI-powered tool that enables organisations to monitor and manage external risks—particularly those related to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors. By delivering real-time data tailored to a company’s unique value chain and strategic priorities, Datamaran assists firms in identifying emerging regulatory, reputational, and operational risks.
Last year, Datamaran secured a significant $33 million (£26 million) investment from Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital, the late-stage growth equity investment division of Morgan Stanley. This backing has helped fuel the development of new solutions, including Harbor. (See: Morgan Stanley invests $33 million in ESG risk management software provider Datamaran.)
The launch of Harbor comes as sustainability and ESG professionals face a confluence of challenges. This includes accelerating regulatory demands such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the impending rollout of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) frameworks, as well as heightened investor and stakeholder scrutiny. Simultaneously, there has been an uptick in political and public backlash against ESG initiatives, particularly in the United States, placing additional pressure on those championing sustainability within their organisations.
In response to these dynamics, Harbor aims to offer a sense of community and practical support. The platform includes weekly regulatory updates, a curated monthly newsletter spotlighting emerging trends and hot topics, and a global calendar of free virtual and in-person events. It also features a professional job board and networking opportunities, helping users broaden their connections across industries and geographies.
“Our mission with Harbor is to provide a safe and energising space for sustainability professionals, who are often under intense scrutiny,” said Marjella Lecourt-Alma, CEO and co-founder of Datamaran. “Today’s sustainability leaders are driving change under intense pressure. With Harbor, we’re creating a place where they can feel understood, supported, and empowered to lead with confidence.”
The release of Harbor arrives at a time when ESG practitioners must balance long-term strategic planning with near-term compliance demands. Resources such as Harbor could prove increasingly valuable as organisations prepare for more rigorous sustainability reporting standards and stakeholder expectations in the years ahead.
For more context on the shifting ESG regulatory environment, see the European Commission’s guidance on the CSRD and the [ISSB’s inaugural standards](https://www.ifrs.org/news-and-events/news/2023/06/issb-issues-ifrs-s1-and-ifrs-s2/) published by the IFRS Foundation.
