From the latest ESGTech innovations to the changing regulatory landscape, we outline the top data trends impacting the ESG investment industry in 2021 and the years to come. In part I, we summarise 1) the competitive landscape of the ESG data market, 2) how to measure sustainability innovation with patent filings, 3) popular public data sources that offer ESG insights and, 4) the satellite technologies that can monitor the environmental impacts of corporate activity.