With climate regulations tightening and businesses facing growing pressure to prove their sustainability credentials, carbon accounting software has become mission-critical. These platforms help companies track their emissions, comply with evolving regulations, and take real action to reduce their environmental impact. Whether you're looking to streamline Scope 3 data collection, prepare for CSRD, or future-proof your sustainability strategy, here are the 7 best carbon accounting tools for 2025.
1. Zevero
Best for: Mid-sized companies that want credible carbon data, a trusted advisor, and a path to reduction, not just reporting.
Zevero is purpose-built for companies that want to take real climate action without getting lost in dashboards or compliance checklists. The platform goes beyond just measurement: it combines powerful software with in-house sustainability experts to help you reduce emissions and meet regulatory demands.
Why it stands out: Zevero matches business data with over 200,000 emissions factors using AI, helping companies quickly calculate Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions with precision. Users can go as broad or granular as needed, from site-level emissions to detailed product carbon footprints. But what truly sets Zevero apart is its human support: you get real sustainability consultants to help interpret data, set targets, and build decarbonisation strategies.
Key features:
- AI-powered emissions matching
- Scope 1, 2, and 3 coverage
- Product- and supplier-level emissions
- Integrations with existing business systems like ERPs and procurement tools
- Transparent pricing and tiers
2. Persefoni
Best for: Financial institutions and companies navigating investor scrutiny or climate-related financial disclosures.
Persefoni is an enterprise-grade carbon accounting and climate disclosure platform built for companies that need investor-grade accuracy. Its audit-ready carbon ledger and alignment with frameworks like SEC, TCFD, and IFRS make it a top choice for financial institutions and global corporates.
Why it stands out: Persefoni’s platform provides transparency and governance across emissions data, with built-in tools to manage disclosures and comply with global regulations. Its user interface is built to support both sustainability and finance teams.
Key features:
- Audit-grade carbon ledger
- SEC, IFRS, CDP, TCFD, and CSRD alignment
- Custom dashboards for risk and investor reporting
- Integrated data assurance tools
- Enterprise access controls and workflows
Cons:
- Premium pricing
- Setup can be time-intensive and may require dedicated technical and compliance resources, especially for smaller companies without in-house ESG expertise
3. Watershed
Best for: Large enterprises with internal capacity and board-level climate ambitions
Watershed powers some of the world’s most ambitious climate programmes, including those at Airbnb, Stripe, and Walmart. Its platform helps large companies build, operationalise, and scale climate action across departments and geographies.
Why it stands out: Watershed provides real-time data, deep integrations, and enterprise-grade governance features to support complex organisations. Its built-in tools for removals, regulatory reporting, and decarbonisation planning are designed for scale.
Key features:
- Real-time emissions tracking and forecasting
- SBTi, SEC, CDP, CSRD reporting templates
- Built-in removals and decarbonisation tools
- Data quality scoring and alerts
- Global support and implementation teams
Cons:
- Not cost-effective for smaller teams
- Designed for organisations with mature sustainability infrastructure with internal climate expertise, an existing emissions baseline, and robust data workflows
4. Normative
Best for: Companies with complex supply chains focused on Scope 3 or seeking transparency across their upstream emissions
Normative is a science-based carbon accounting engine designed to help businesses measure and manage their value chain emissions. Its strength lies in its ability to handle Scope 3 emissions, which often represent over 90% of a company’s footprint.
Why it stands out: Normative connects directly to procurement systems and supplier databases, allowing companies to collect granular emissions data from vendors and contractors. It also helps users prioritise reduction efforts using hotspot analysis and built-in science-based target tools.
Key features:
- Scope 1, 2, and 3 coverage
- Deep procurement and supplier integrations
- GHG Protocol and ISO compliance
- SBTi-aligned goal setting
- Audit-ready reporting templates
Cons:
- User interface can feel overly technical for non-sustainability professionals
- Setup may require significant coordination with procurement and data teams, especially if supplier engagement workflows are not already in place
5. Greenly
European SMEs and companies preparing for CSRD with limited internal capacity
Greenly is increasingly being used by companies that need help with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Its intuitive platform and automated data gathering make it a go-to for teams that need fast, reliable reporting without a large internal sustainability team.
Why it stands out: Greenly is evolving beyond its SME roots, now offering compliance workflows aligned with European standards. It makes CSRD preparation accessible for companies that want to do it right, without building a custom setup.
Key features:
- CSRD-compliant emissions reporting
- Scope 1, 2, and 3 estimates via financial data
- GHG Protocol alignment
- Integrations with accounting platforms (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)
- Built-in reduction guidance
Cons:
- Customisation options can be limited for organisations with sector-specific needs
- Larger enterprises may find limitations in platform flexibility and scalability as reporting demands grow
6. Sweep
Best for: Organisations looking to cross-functional emissions accountability and collaboration across teams
Sweep is designed to turn carbon management into a team effort. With tools that assign ownership and track progress across departments, it’s ideal for companies that want to embed emissions strategy into everyday decision-making.
Why it stands out: “Sweep Trees” feature helps organisations map their emissions across business units and track who’s responsible for what. It’s less focused on reporting than other platforms, and more about enabling internal ownership and change.
Key features:
- Emissions responsibility and accountability mapping
- Internal progress dashboards
- SBTi and CSRD support
- Supply chain collaboration tools
- Scenario planning and visualisations
Cons:
- Reporting capabilities may not meet audit-grade or investor-level detail needs
- Change management can be a challenge, especially when assigning emissions ownership across departments or shifting accountability workflows
7. Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability
Best for: Large organisations using Microsoft’s enterprise ecosystem
Microsoft’s Cloud for Sustainability connects emissions and ESG data across business systems, offering a unified view for tracking, managing, and reporting sustainability metrics. It's ideal for enterprises already embedded in the Microsoft stack.
Why it stands out: Microsoft’s platform leverages Azure, Dynamics 365, and Power BI to bring together fragmented sustainability data and make it accessible across functions. With a growing suite of ESG and carbon modules, it supports enterprise-wide transformation.
Key features:
- Centralised data hub using Azure and Power BI
- ESG and carbon tracking modules
- Scope 1, 2, 3 reporting templates
- Integrates with ERP and supply chain systems
- Automated insights and forecasting
Cons:
- Less tailored support for non-Microsoft users or those outside the ecosystem
- Can require significant configuration and internal IT involvement to implement effectively
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortage of carbon accounting platforms out there, but not all of them help you move beyond measurement. The best tools don’t just help you calculate emissions. They give you clarity, confidence, and a clear way forward. Whether that means getting audit-ready, engaging suppliers, or setting targets you can actually hit, it comes down to finding a platform that fits your team and your goals.
If you’re ready to do more than just report—and want a partner who’ll help you act—Zevero’s a good place to start. Speak with a member of our team to learn more.
