The Future of Sustainability: 2025’s Must-See Carbon Accounting Tools

The phrases business accounting software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software are often used interchangeably, but in reality, they serve distinct purposes.

Recently, attention has shifted towards carbon accounting when these terms come up, as more organizations are actively monitoring and reporting their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As environmental consciousness increases among corporations, measuring and disclosing carbon footprints has become crucial. This process not only helps in setting reduction goals but also in tracking improvements and making more sustainable operational decisions. Many companies now aim for a net-zero emission target—striving to offset all their carbon output through various initiatives. Attaining this level requires careful planning and a firm commitment from every part of the organization.

This article will guide you through some of the best carbon accounting software available today, emphasizing their key features. This will help you identify the best fit for your company’s sustainability goals. Let’s explore the options.

Carbon accounting software is designed to help organizations measure and manage all aspects of their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With effective carbon management tools, companies can streamline data collection and generate valuable insights to guide decision-making. However, the industry for these tools is still relatively new and constantly evolving. It’s important to understand that “carbon” broadly refers to various greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide. According to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, this includes gases such as methane, perfluorochemicals, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and nitrous oxide.

Incorporating carbon accounting software into a comprehensive environmental strategy allows firms to stay ahead of compliance requirements and meet stakeholder expectations. Companies that utilize audit-grade solutions can more effectively communicate their CO2 impacts and navigate regulatory frameworks, ensuring transparency and accountability.

As the field rapidly advances, new companies enter the market frequently. Nonetheless, the following are currently among the leading players in this specialized area.

Persefoni’s platform is widely recognized for its leadership in the industry, thanks to the extensive experience of its founders. Based in the U.S., it offers both large multinational companies and small to medium-sized enterprises detailed financial reporting and comprehensive carbon management tools. Its advisory team includes many seasoned experts with deep knowledge of climate initiatives.

Persefoni aims to make emissions data collection and reporting more standardized and easier for organizations. Its strategic partnerships with companies like Bain, Workiva, CGI, and Patch bolster its reputation as a dependable emissions management solution. Moreover, Persefoni’s scalability and robustness against tampering make it a preferred choice for Fortune 500 companies seeking transparent environmental data communication to stakeholders.

Recently acquired by IBM, Envizi has been rebranded as the IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite. This platform acts as a digital powerhouse that can process vast amounts of environmental data with ease.

Using artificial intelligence, it provides critical climate risk assessments, helping organizations to anticipate and plan for weather-related threats. For companies committed to reducing emissions, IBM’s tools are designed to forecast environmental impacts and implement preventive strategies before issues escalate. The platform simplifies the process of monitoring climate variables, empowering users to react quickly to changing global conditions.

Sphera focuses on emissions safety and liability management. Its distinctive approach to carbon accounting aims to help organizations build public trust and strengthen their environmental reputation. The platform combines reporting and data management tools that support companies in adopting safer practices and reducing liabilities efficiently.

Beyond software, Sphera offers consulting services tailored to each client’s specific environmental challenges, providing a customized approach to sustainability and compliance. If your business values safety and prefers a unified, comprehensive platform to manage carbon data effortlessly, Sphera could be a great fit.

If your organization aims to substantially reduce carbon emissions across complex supply chains for that elusive net-zero goal, consider Emitwise. Their method revolves around a cloud-based system that centralizes data, making it easier to analyze and act upon comprehensive carbon insights. Their powerful analytics and reporting tools provide in-depth insights, making it easier for companies to develop personalized strategies for their environmental impact.

Emitwise combines robust features, user-friendly tools, and automation to streamline your supply chain management in carbon accounting. It helps businesses initiate and implement impactful carbon reduction strategies, making sustainability more attainable. With automated processes and access to live carbon accountants, Emitwise simplifies the complex task of tracking and reducing emissions, turning what used to be a daunting process into an achievable goal.

Sinai Technologies is dedicated to making the path to net-zero emissions more achievable. It supports organizations by providing cost-effective methods to lower their emissions through dynamic carbon budgets, detailed analytics, and comprehensive reporting. Its powerful projection tools are customizable, leveraging flexible data collection processes tailored to each organization’s unique emissions targets. By integrating both emissions and financial data into a single platform, Sinai Technologies offers a unified view essential for data-driven decision making. However, users should be aware that the platform may require some technical familiarity, as it’s not necessarily the most intuitive option available.

Salesforce has a longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability. Its Net Zero Cloud tool aims to simplify the process of reducing your carbon footprint, especially for smaller organizations just starting their sustainability journey. Features like multilingual support, automation, and seamless integrations make Zero Cloud accessible and easy to use. While it may not offer all the advanced capabilities of larger platforms, its intuitive dashboard and straightforward setup make it a practical choice for small to medium enterprises keen to begin managing their emissions effectively. The platform’s growth potential is promising, although it may serve better as an introductory tool rather than a comprehensive solution for complex needs.

Diligent is a platform designed specifically for board members, nonprofit managers, executives, and government officials working on climate governance initiatives.

Founded in 1994 in New Zealand, Diligent has a longer history and a wider reach in the industry compared to many newer competitors. Its main goal is to improve frameworks for managing carbon emissions and climate-related responsibilities. The platform centralizes functions like compliance tracking, managing costs, assessing risks, and conducting audits. This allows leaders in the climate space to prepare social responsibility reports and engage stakeholders effectively, ensuring they stay compliant with regulations. However, organizations with more complex or detailed emissions measurement needs might find Diligent lacking in the ability to perform detailed calculations for complicated projects.

Greenly is an excellent choice for small businesses and entrepreneurs who need a straightforward carbon accounting tool. It’s simple to operate and designed for teams with minimal emissions tracking requirements. In addition to syncing with other apps, Greenly uses data analytics to help companies identify ways to reduce their emissions. While it’s scalable for smaller operations, larger organizations might find its capabilities limited when it comes to handling intricate, layered emission projects. For teams seeking an easy-to-use interface, its clean dashboard makes it a popular option for straightforward carbon management.

Watershed is best suited for organizations that want to plan for the future by developing effective reduction strategies. It helps companies track emissions and craft comprehensive plans to lower their carbon footprint. The platform is particularly useful for those focused on long-term climate goals and strategic planning, giving organizations the tools needed to forecast and improve their sustainability practices over time.

As a comprehensive tool for managing emissions, Watershed has recently made its debut on the scene. Since launching in 2019, it has aimed to help companies develop effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gases and addressing climate change. Watershed allows teams to easily track, reduce, offset, and report on emission-related measures. Its modeling tools provide a high-level overview of a company’s current emissions profile, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to clear, understandable reports. When considering Watershed, it’s important to reflect on your company’s long-term sustainability goals and whether the platform’s capabilities can grow with your organization.

This platform focuses on fostering collaboration in carbon emissions management. Teams get access to essential tools for monitoring activities, assigning responsibilities, and accessing data—all from one integrated platform. However, if you need advanced reporting features or scalable solutions, Sweep might not check all your boxes. Nevertheless, for smaller companies operating with tight budgets, Sweep presents a practical choice, even if it comes with some limitations.

So, what should you look for when selecting carbon accounting software? Why do these features matter? The main goal for most organizations is to responsibly manage their carbon footprint while staying compliant with increasingly strict emissions regulations. Since regulations can differ greatly depending on your region, it’s crucial to choose a tool that’s flexible and capable of growing with your business. When evaluating options, keep these key features in mind to ensure you make the right choice.

Think about how secure and tamper-resistant the data collection process is, and whether automation options are available to streamline ongoing data gathering. Reliable, centralized data makes analysis easier and leads to more accurate reporting, providing your team with sharper insights and reducing headaches during data management.

Understanding what features a platform offers is one thing, but knowing its track record within the industry is another. Ask yourself questions like: Who developed this solution? What’s their history in emissions or environmental initiatives? Do they have notable partnerships or collaborations? The more you learn about the company’s background and its reputation, the better you can judge whether their product will meet your sustainability needs.

Having access to easy-to-understand reporting and analytics isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential. Good software should eliminate tedious manual data entry and help avoid disjointed spreadsheets by streamlining your reporting processes. When considering options, ask how much automation and customization are possible for reports and dashboards. The more sophisticated and flexible these features are, the better your ability to track progress and make informed decisions.

This kind of platform helps organizations monitor and manage their carbon emissions comprehensively. It allows companies to calculate their total carbon footprint, compare performance against industry peers, set reduction targets, and track progress toward those goals. Additionally, it enables transparent communication of emissions data and sustainability efforts to stakeholders through detailed reporting. As frameworks like the GHG Protocol become more widespread, having accurate and reliable emissions data is increasingly vital for effective sustainability planning.

Keeping businesses in line with emissions rules and boosting their sustainability efforts isn’t just good karma — it’s essential for long-term success.

The most common framework used to estimate carbon footprints is known as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or GHG Protocol.

This protocol provides a comprehensive guide for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions, serving as a preferred method for many organizations aiming to reduce their carbon footprint.

Another widely used approach is ESG reporting, which enables companies to measure, disclose, and enhance their environmental, social, and governance performance — essentially, their sustainability report card.

Additionally, the lifecycle assessment, or LCA, examines a product or service’s environmental impact from start to finish. It offers a comprehensive understanding of how business activities influence the planet.

Don’t forget about carbon offsets! These involve purchasing credits from projects that reduce greenhouse gases, such as reforestation efforts or renewable energy projects. Organizations can use software platforms to monitor their offset purchases and demonstrate progress toward their climate objectives.

The destructive effects of human activities on our planet are now widely recognized — melting ice caps, wildfires, severe weather events, and more. A software tool that helps organizations track and control emissions is crucial in the global effort to address climate change.

By actively managing their emissions, companies not only minimize their environmental impact but can also improve their financial performance — a win for both the planet and business health.

Achieving carbon neutrality involves balancing the greenhouse gases emitted with an equivalent amount of reductions or offsets, leading to a net zero carbon footprint. Simply put, a carbon-neutral entity does not contribute additional GHGs to the atmosphere because it compensates for its emissions through reductions elsewhere.

The term ‘carbon footprint’ describes the total greenhouse gases emitted, either directly or indirectly, by an individual, product, event, or organization. Calculating this footprint is the first step toward making environmentally positive changes.

Emission factors are data points used to estimate how much pollution each activity produces, typically measured in units like weight, volume, or miles traveled. Accurate tracking of these factors is essential for companies seeking to understand and reduce their environmental impact. Additionally, renewable energy credits (RECs) provide another effective way to offset emissions — these credits are generated from renewable sources like solar and wind and can be purchased to meet sustainability goals. Organizations often include REC purchases in their environmental reports to showcase their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint.

Decarbonization involves reducing one’s carbon footprint at both organizational and individual levels. Strategies include investing in renewable energy, choosing low-carbon transportation options, or upgrading buildings to be more energy-efficient. Real-time data tracking of energy use can significantly improve efficiency by identifying waste and optimizing consumption. Companies that actively work to lower their emissions not only support environmental sustainability but often see financial benefits as well.

Climate change remains a critical global challenge, and as businesses expand and regulations tighten, the urgency to act grows even more. Many organizations are preparing for more stringent standards in the near future, as the world intensifies its efforts against climate change.

Fortunately, there are numerous comprehensive carbon accounting tools available to help companies reach their net-zero goals. Some solutions stand out for their ability to effectively track, manage, and reduce emissions. Did I miss any? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

And for those eager for more insights: Visit StepThroughThePortal.com for articles like the top business planning tools of 2025 or explore inventory management software to streamline operations and maintain optimal stock levels.