WikiRate is an open data platform that allows anyone to gather, analyze and share publicly available information on corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and impacts. We make this information accessible, comparable and free for all. Our mission is to provide society with the tools and evidence to spur corporations to respond to the world’s social and environmental challenges.
To date, WikiRate is the largest open registry of ESG data in the world, with more than 3,200,000 data points for over 110,000 companies.
Contents
- WikiRate is open-source. What does that mean?
- Is there a difference between open source and open data?
- Why is WikiRate open data?
- What is the difference between WikiRate and Wikipedia?
- Can I find company ESG data on WikiRate?
- Can I connect to the data via API?
- What is a ‘Company’ on WikiRate?
- Who owns WikiRate?
1. WikiRate is open-source. What does that mean?
Open-source software is software that makes its source code openly available to all. Unlike machine code, which is a bunch of ones and zeros, source code is understandable to software developers. By embracing open source software, WikiRate is both contributing to code that others can reuse for their own purposes and inviting others to contribute to our development.
WikiRate is built using the open-source Decko platform and has contributed extensively to its development. WikiRate’s source code is available on GitHub.
2. Is there a difference between open source and open data?
Yes, open source and open data are two different concepts. Being open source means that the original WikiRate source code is freely available and can be redistributed and modified. Whereas being an open data platform means that all the information stored on WikiRate is licensed under an open license which allows anyone to openly access, exploit, edit and share it.
You can go more in depth on open data with our ultimate guide to open data, and view WikiRate’s licensing terms.
3. Why is WikiRate open data?
Simply put, WikiRate couldn’t do what it does without open data.
WikiRate was founded on the idea that: “seeing how companies’ operations impact people and the environment is the first step in improving the world.”
WikiRate wants to open up data about the corporate impacts so that everyone can have access. And when we say everyone, we mean everyone.
To name but a few, our datasets have been used by students, sustainability experts, companies, investors, consumers, civil society organizations, trade unions and supply chain workers.
We also make it possible for everyone to contribute to creating datasets, because creating a picture of the corporate impacts isn’t so easy. It requires many passionate people working together. Open data helps WikiRate do this effectively.
4. What is the difference between WikiRate and Wikipedia?
Both WikiRate and Wikipedia are wikis: websites or databases developed collaboratively by a community of users, allowing any user to add and edit content. Wikipedia is part of Wikimedia (a collection of wikis with which WikiRate is not affiliated), and can be described as an online encyclopedia that organizes (mostly free text) articles of information.
Whilst Wikipedia increasingly has overviews related to a company’s sustainability as part of these articles, WikiRate goes beyond the surface coverage. Instead, WikiRate hosts data on companies, most of which is structured and standardized data which enables comparison of those companies. Furthermore, on WikiRate all data points must cite public sources, whereas on Wikipedia not all information is referenced.
5. Can I find company ESG data on WikiRate?
Yes. ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. Broadly, it is a term that encapsulates companies’ non-financial data.
If a company reports its greenhouse gas emissions for a year, it would be considered environmental. Similarly, if it reported its human rights due diligence practices, this would be governance.
You can find such data on WikiRate.
6. Can I connect to the data via API?
Yes. Check out our API guide on how to access WikiRate data programmatically using our powerful REST API.
7. What is a ‘Company’ on WikiRate?
Companies are the central subjects of WikiRate and are flexibly defined as ‘reporting entities’, be it a holding company, brand, production facility, institutional investor, university or NGO. For the full definition, check out our Glossary.
8. Who owns WikiRate?
WikiRate is not owned by any organization. It is a non-profit association incorporated in Germany. Formally represented by its Founder Philipp Hirche, WikiRate is supported by a diverse Advisory Council, including representatives from civil society, academia, the private sector, the open data and open source communities, media, and financial sector.
WikiRate receives funding from a range of sources; please see our Grants & Donations History for a transparent overview of where we get our funding from.
