Do I need prior knowledge to use ESG Lift for ESG reporting?
No – ESG Lift is designed so that no prior knowledge of sustainability reporting or ESG is required. The VSME Assist AI chatbot guides you step-by-step through every data point, explaining exactly what information is needed and where to find it. SMEs only need access to their basic operational data, such as energy consumption, employee headcount, and waste volumes.
How user-friendly is ESG Lift for beginners?
ESG Lift was developed with the explicit goal of being easy to use, even for SMEs without prior ESG experience. The VSME Assist Chatbot serves as the central onboarding mechanism – it asks questions in simple language and explains any term that is not self-explanatory, simplifying the ESG reporting process.
What do I need to prepare before using it for the first time?
To get started with your sustainability reporting, SMEs need:
• Electricity and gas bills (for carbon footprint and CO₂ calculations)
• Employee list with full-time equivalents (FTEs)
• Base corporate and location data
• Optional: Vehicle fleet data for Scope 1 emissions
Most SMEs already have this information on hand within the company – no external data collection is required.
What if I still need assistance?
ESG Lift provides onboarding support and the option to invite certified consultants to the platform. This allows an external ESG expert to guide you through individual steps dynamically, without requiring a full consulting mandate.
How long does the onboarding process take?
Most users are productive within 30 minutes. The VSME Assist Chatbot handles the explanatory work, eliminating the need for separate training. In the first year, generating a complete ESG report typically takes just 1 to 3 hours.
ESG Lift prior knowledge: why no ESG expertise is required, what data SMEs need to prepare, and how the VSME Assist chatbot guides you through the process.