Terrascope CEO Felipe Daguila: Beyond ESG Compliance to Real Business Transformation

Terrascope, headquartered in Singapore, is positioning itself at the forefront of climate technology by helping businesses navigate complex sustainability challenges while unlocking operational efficiencies. As the focus shifts from mere compliance to value-driven sustainability, companies embracing proactive climate action will lead the next wave of transformation.

With the goal of becoming the easiest platform to measure and decarbonize land, nature, and the net-zero economy, Terrascope is set to play a key global role in shaping the future of corporate sustainability. Recently appointed CEO Felipe Daguila shared his insights on the evolving macroeconomic landscape, the growing role of climate tech, and how businesses are approaching sustainability reporting in an exclusive conversation with Carbon Wire.

Drawing from his extensive experience with global technology giants like Google and AWS, Daguila discusses his journey into climate technology, the transformation he envisions for Terrascope, and the changing market response to sustainability.

Navigating the Global Macroeconomic Landscape

Daguila highlights three key perspectives on the current economic environment, emphasizing the importance of focusing on controllable factors. “We must control the controlables. External forces such as inflation, shifting government policies, and geopolitical tensions are beyond our direct influence. However, prioritizing sustainability, climate action, and long-term transformation is a no-regret move. Political landscapes may shift every few years, but sustainability remains a constant priority for businesses aiming for long-term success and value creation,” he explains.

Terrascope’s strategy centers on delivering value to customers. “Efficiency is crucial in today’s business world, whether driven by AI, economic pressures, or evolving regulatory landscapes. Investing in carbon reduction directly links to operational efficiency. For instance, one of our hospitality sector clients discovered that 60% of their emissions were linked to food loss and waste. Addressing this not only reduced costs but also significantly cut their carbon footprint.”

For Daguila, long-term transformation is the ultimate goal. “Decarbonization and sustainability efforts require deep engagement across supply chains. Analyzing carbon emissions, particularly Scope 3, forces businesses to reassess their products, operations, and uncover opportunities for efficiency gains.”

From Tech Leadership to Climate Tech

Daguila’s transition from global tech giants to climate tech was driven by a deeply personal moment.
“My son once asked me about my job for a school assignment. When I explained that I helped businesses move to the cloud, he asked, ‘Why is that important?’ That simple question made me reflect on how I could align my career with a greater purpose.”

This introspection led him to Terrascope, where he started as Chief Commercial Officer before becoming CEO. “Our mission is to empower enterprises to make the planet habitable for all. We are a SaaS platform with a goal to simplify emissions measurement and decarbonization, particularly in food, beverage, pharma, agriculture, and energy transition.”

Daguila is particularly excited about green hydrogen. “We work with Ohmium, one of TIME’s Top GreenTech Companies of 2024, which leverages renewable energy for electricity generation. The direct link between reducing carbon emissions and optimizing energy use is what drives innovation.”

The Future of Terrascope

Looking ahead, Daguila envisions Terrascope as the easiest platform for measuring and decarbonizing in the land, nature, and net-zero economy sectors.

“Our aim is to simplify the process so businesses can seamlessly transition to sustainable practices, whether by changing packaging, optimizing transportation, or adopting regenerative agriculture. When these processes are easier, they become more cost-effective, allowing businesses to move forward without hesitation.”

The impact so far has been significant. “We have measured over 600 million tonnes of CO₂—more than the annual emissions of Australia. For every customer, we provide 100% scientifically actionable recommendations on how to decarbonize. Our focus is on making sustainability efforts tangible and measurable.”

Terrascope’s long-term goal is to help businesses integrate sustainability as a core business strategy. “Regulatory compliance will become a baseline requirement, but businesses that align sustainability with value creation and operational efficiency will be the ones that thrive.”

Sustainability Reporting

Sustainability reporting is evolving rapidly, with different regions responding in varied ways. “In Europe, there’s heavy regulation—sometimes even overregulation. However, discussions are ongoing about simplifying these frameworks, which I believe is a positive step. In Australia, sustainability is viewed as a transformation opportunity rather than just a compliance requirement.”

Daguila categorizes enterprise customer demand into three groups:

Regulatory Compliance-Driven Companies: The majority of businesses in the past two years have focused on regulation and reporting.

Companies Facing B2B and Investor Pressure: Many firms are driven by pressure from large B2B customers who require carbon data disclosure due to commitments such as the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Value-Creation-Focused Companies: This is the fastest-growing segment, where businesses see decarbonization as a strategic advantage rather than an obligation.

“Tetra Pak, for example, is both a customer and partner. As a packaging company, they use our platform to evaluate options based on cost, transport efficiency, and carbon impact. This optimized approach not only drives sustainability but also improves operational efficiency for their large customers.”

Looking ahead, Daguila predicts a fundamental shift in the market. “Regulatory compliance will no longer be a differentiator; it will be the minimum requirement. The real leaders will be those who integrate sustainability with strategic business growth.”