Automating Energy & Emissions Tracking for Net-Zero Carbon Goals

Introduction

Project Overview:

As the (Consulting) Principal Designer for TimberRock’s E-IQ platform, I led the end-to-end design of an innovative solution that enables businesses to track greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon reduction metrics. Piloted with General Motors, the platform automates emissions offset recommendations across vehicles and factories while ensuring accurate, auditable data for sustainability reporting. My contributions included establishing standardized design principles, defining a scalable UI, and ensuring seamless implementation.

Role:

Consulting Principal Designer
I was responsible for driving the UX strategy, defining workflows, and delivering high-fidelity designs to support data visualization, emissions tracking, and regulatory compliance.

Tool Stack & Collaboration:

Figma, Jira, Confluence, Analytic Tools, Moderated Testing, Slack, HTML5, CSS3, React.js, D3.js, TopoJSON for data visualization, blockchain technologies, NFT storage.

Timeline:

12-month engagement

The Problem

Context & Challenges:

TimberRock faced several challenges in developing a comprehensive sustainability tracking solution:

  • Complex Data Visualization: Managing and interpreting Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data required an intuitive and user-friendly interface.

  • Scalability: The platform needed to accommodate diverse enterprise use cases while remaining flexible for future regulatory requirements.

  • Automated Actionable Insights: Users required automated recommendations for emissions offsets tailored to operational contexts.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the platform met industry standards for ESG reporting and sustainability compliance.

The Goal

Objectives:

  • Develop an intuitive, scalable platform for tracking and managing emissions data.

  • Implement a governed design system to ensure consistency across the UI.

  • Automate emissions offset recommendations based on real-time operational data.

  • Enable seamless ESG compliance through detailed sustainability reporting.

Success Criteria:

  • Improved operational decision-making through real-time emissions tracking.

  • Enhanced data visualization for clearer insights into sustainability efforts.

  • Scalable, well-documented design standards for future platform expansion.

  • Increased adoption and engagement from enterprise users.

The Process

Work Stream 1: Platform Architecture & Data Visualization

  • Designed a centralized dashboard to present emissions data in an actionable format.

  • Developed interactive data visualization tools for tracking carbon offsets and sustainability initiatives.

  • Implemented dynamic charts and graphs to simplify complex environmental data.

Problems Solved:

  • Difficulty in interpreting emissions data due to complexity.

  • Lack of real-time insights for sustainability decision-making.

  • Inefficiencies in tracking progress toward carbon neutrality goals.

Work Stream 2: Design System & Governance

  • Established a modular design system to ensure consistency across the platform.

  • Created standardized UI components to support scalability and future enhancements.

  • Developed design principles focused on accessibility, clarity, and usability.

Problems Solved:

  • Inconsistent UI across different platform components.

  • Challenges in scaling the design for future regulatory changes.

  • Fragmented user experience due to ad-hoc design implementations.

Work Stream 3: Automated Recommendations & ESG Compliance

  • Designed an AI-powered recommendation engine for emissions offsets.

  • Integrated compliance workflows to align with ESG reporting requirements.

  • Developed features to support automated data validation and audit trails.

Problems Solved:

  • Uncertainty in identifying the best emissions reduction strategies.

  • High manual effort required for sustainability reporting.

  • Inconsistent compliance adherence across various industries.

Work Stream 4: Pilot & User Validation

  • Usability sessions to refine platform workflows.

  • Incorporated feedback from General Motors to validate emissions tracking accuracy.

  • Iterated on UI/UX based on feedback from enterprise stakeholders.

Problems Solved:

  • Usability barriers in navigating complex emissions data.

  • Lack of alignment between platform capabilities and enterprise needs.

  • Inconsistent adoption due to unclear user workflows.

The Solution

Final Deliverables:

  • A centralized sustainability tracking platform with intuitive UI/UX.

  • AI-driven emissions offset recommendations tailored to operational contexts.

  • A scalable design system for future enhancements and industry compliance.

  • Interactive dashboards and real-time analytics for emissions management.

Results

Quantitative Outcomes:

  • 40% improvement in emissions tracking efficiency through automated insights.

  • 25% reduction in compliance reporting time due to streamlined workflows.

  • Consistent UI/UX implementation across all platform modules, improving usability.

Qualitative Outcomes:

  • Established a scalable, well-governed design framework for future iterations.

  • Enhanced user confidence in sustainability decision-making.

  • Strengthened collaboration between product, design, and engineering teams.

Conclusion

This initiative revolutionized TimberRock’s approach to sustainability management by integrating AI-powered insights, scalable design principles, and intuitive data visualization. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and user-centered design, TimberRock now offers enterprises a powerful, data-driven platform for achieving carbon neutrality and regulatory compliance.

Next Steps:

  • Expand AI-driven insights to support broader industry use cases.

  • Enhance data visualization tools for deeper sustainability impact analysis.

  • Further refine compliance workflows to align with evolving global regulations.

Visuals & Supporting Material

Samples: High-fidelity mockups showcasing dashboard UI and data visualization.