At KnowESG we are always looking for interesting stories about ESG score successes from global companies. This is why we have chosen to highlight Appian, a Virginia-based low-code cloud computing and software firm.A cloud computing and software company solution helps businesses build apps and workflows that enable them to orchestrate their resources without the need to write code.

The low-code automation platform’s goal is to help improve business results and impact, providing an opportunity to companies, no matter the industry they work in, to access the world of digitalisation and implement customised automated - also AI-automated - and efficient solutions to sharpen their regular business processes. 

Featured Article: Top 10 ESG Software Platforms To Track Your Company Metrics

How do Appian and ESG collaborate?

Appian supports ESG principles and tries to link their product to ESG standards, and they also actively promote ESG. In their report, they discuss how the Appian solution, along with other low-code solutions, may assist businesses in developing ESG programmes and redirecting their impact. Users can, for example, integrate resources into a single ESG-compliant procedure, making it simple to share ESG status. Furthermore, the programme allows for the centralisation of both internal and external ESG data.

Appian is regarded as one of the leading firms driving ESG improvements in its field, thanks to the backing of partners such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Appcino according to Sustainability. The company has also pledged to build a link between ESG and the concept of low-code software, and if they can assist entrepreneurs in analysing their company’s results more quickly and accurately, they will undoubtedly play a vital role in the popularisation of ESG. 

Appian's ESG commitment: not just words, but action

According to Forbes, Appian's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Given the importance of ESG to investors and other stakeholders, it is increasingly critical for businesses to incorporate it into their operations in some form. In Appian's environment, this means using a low-code strategy to accelerate net zero carbon programmes and improve ESG ratings.

Using low-code can also boost productivity and efficiency. Working with low-code requires devoting fewer resources to programmers. If we continue on this path, we can conclude that it will save energy and even reduce the environmental impact. In fact, more and more businesses are attempting to make coding "green". It may result in ESG advancement, which may help improve their performance while providing a strategic advantage over competitors.

On a different ESG note, the business demonstrated an app called "Go Green at Appian World" that allows event guests to track the carbon footprint connected with their attendance. Similarly,Appian’s commitment to educating future generations is underlined through the #lowcode4all initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of low-code software development and encourage its adoption through a variety of resources available on the company's platform, all of which is supported by scholarship opportunities.

As for environmental issues, the company cites its commitment to more sustainable and cleaner practices, such as LEED accreditation, in order to provide a healthy work environment for workers. 

The increased operational efficiency of low-code software may encourage more organisations to profit from their existing products and services in order to boost and integrate them into promoting a new ESG approach. In fact, even though the low-code platform was not specifically designed for ESG purposes, in this case, it has been well adapted to serve an ESG strategy that will strengthen not only the product but also the company's reputation.

Enough Action?

What is contentious, however, is that according to Sustainalytics, Appian ranks 442 out of 1070 among software and services companies, only qualifying as medium on the ESG rating scale. We'll have to wait and see how effectively Appian can raise those ESG ratings internally while continuing to set the bar externally for other businesses by educating them on the value of low-code software in the ESG space. 

(Steps For Earning An ESG Certificate)

Takeaway

Appian's ESG engagement, while on the right track, is still in the early stages. When we compare the company to one of its closest competitors, UiPath, which ranks 188 out of 1074 in software and services companies with an ESG Rating of 18.2, we see differences. In their ESG approach. UiPath details their engagement not only in terms of sustainable automation, but also their inclusivity policies, learning development and retention initiatives, and commitment to their employees.

They go into great detail about environmental KPIs and how they have precisely tracked their data and environmental impact. The report emphasises data privacy and security in terms of governance. From "Intellectual Property Protection and Competitive Behavior" to "Environmental Footprint of Hardware Infrastructure," they also publicly disclose the main SASB standards, the metrics involved, and how they adapted and integrated them into the company. 

Perhaps then, while measurable progress is indeed being made, the issue for Appian may then be a lack of disclosure and public transparency which, in any case, other top ESG rating agencies may also find missing, and may just be indicative of being in the early stages of reporting implementation.

Keep track of ESG performance in our Company ESG Profiles page.