Accounting isn’t just about tracking money—it’s also about monitoring resources like energy, water, and waste, all of which are critical to a company’s impact and sustainability. For example, a 2024 study showed that businesses focusing on environmental transparency gained more customer loyalty and trust.
This is where carbon accounting comes in. Instead of managing dollars, it calculates a business’s greenhouse gas emissions. It helps companies understand their environmental footprint, reduce emissions, and comply with regulations. With tools like carbon accounting software, this process has become easier, enabling businesses to meet sustainability goals and build a greener future.
What is Carbon Accounting?
Carbon accounting is the process of measuring and tracking the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by a business. These emissions come from sources like energy consumption, transportation, production, and even supply chains. Businesses can make educated decisions to lessen their environmental impact by understanding their impact through the collection of this data.
The Role of Carbon Accounting Software
Carbon accounting is detailed and can quickly become overwhelming, especially for larger companies with complex operations. This is where carbon accounting software comes in. These tools simplify the process by automatically gathering data, calculating emissions, and presenting detailed reports. They also ensure that the information aligns with global standards, which is crucial for accurate reporting. Essentially, this software removes the guesswork and makes carbon tracking easier and more efficient.
Why Does Carbon Accounting Matter?
Regulatory Compliance
Many governments now require businesses to report their carbon emissions as part of environmental policies. Correctly tracking these emissions helps businesses avoid penalties and ensures they are meeting legal requirements.
Sustainability Goals
With more companies aiming for net-zero emissions, understanding where emissions come from is the first step to reducing them. Proper carbon accounting supports businesses in achieving these goals systematically.
Stakeholder Expectations
Consumers, investors, and partners are increasingly favoring environmentally responsible businesses. Transparent emission tracking shows a commitment to sustainability and enhances trust and credibility.
Operational Efficiency
Carbon accounting often uncovers inefficiencies like energy waste. Addressing these issues helps businesses cut costs while lowering their carbon footprint.
Who Needs Carbon Accounting?
Carbon accounting is important for businesses that have a large impact on the environment. This includes big corporations, manufacturers, and firms with complicated supply chains. These companies often use a lot of energy, produce significant emissions, or depend on various suppliers. Measuring their carbon footprint is crucial to comply with environmental regulations, lower operational costs, and meet sustainability goals.
To do this effectively, companies need the right carbon accounting software, which helps track emissions, streamline reporting, and provide insights to lower their impact.
Top 10 Carbon Accounting Tools for 2025
Below are the top 10 carbon accounting tools for 2025 and the types of businesses they are best suited for:
1. Persefoni
Persefoni makes it easy for businesses to track their carbon emissions by automating reporting for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. These reports adhere to global frameworks such as the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. This software is a great option for large corporations that need detailed analysis and global compliance.
2. Sphera
Sphera offers robust analytics and personalized tools to help businesses set achievable sustainability goals. It works well for manufacturing firms and large, multi-location operations, providing the scalability and focus needed for businesses with complex operations to manage their carbon output effectively.
3. Net0
Net0 helps businesses map out their carbon emissions and set clear net-zero plans. It reduces the stress associated with emissions tracking by providing data in an understandable manner. This software is tailored for small and medium businesses aiming for long-term sustainability.
4. Watershed
Watershed takes a precise approach to carbon tracking, offering real-time monitoring and industry-specific recommendations to act on emissions quickly. It’s a top pick for tech companies or organizations seeking immediate, actionable steps to reduce their environmental impact.
5. Emitwise
Emitwise simplifies data collection and provides practical suggestions for cutting emissions. It works seamlessly with supply chains, making it an effective tool for businesses with intricate logistics who need to monitor carbon levels across multiple sources.
6. Measurabl
Measurabl is designed for the real estate sector, focusing on tracking energy use and carbon emissions within buildings. It helps property managers identify energy inefficiencies and operate more sustainably, making it perfect for real estate or property management companies.
7. Plan A
Plan A uses AI-powered tools to track emissions and offer suggestions for improvement. It’s ideal for startups and midsized businesses, helping them address environmental challenges while growing sustainability programs in a scalable way.
8. Carbon Analytics
Carbon Analytics integrates into businesses’ financial systems, so companies can track emissions as part of their regular management activities. It is user-friendly and works well for smaller firms or service-based organizations looking for straightforward carbon accounting tools.
9. CarbonChain
CarbonChain provides in-depth tracking for supply chains and is tailored for industries such as manufacturing and logistics. It specializes in helping these businesses measure and reduce emissions at every stage, from materials sourcing to delivery.
10. Sustaina
Sustaina offers customizable, modular solutions that allow businesses to pick the tools that match their specific needs. Accurate yet flexible, it’s a great choice for consultancies and industrial firms aiming to adapt carbon tracking to unique operational requirements.
Why Carbon Accounting is a Smart Investment
Setting up carbon accounting in a company comes with some upfront costs. You’ll need to invest in software, train your employees, and keep the system updated. While these costs may seem like a lot at first, they quickly start to pay off.
One of the biggest benefits is making your business more efficient. You can identify areas where energy or resources are being wasted and implement changes to save money by monitoring carbon emissions. Reducing waste also means lower expenses in the long run.
But it’s not just about saving money. Carbon accounting helps improve your company’s image. Showing customers, investors, and partners that you care about sustainability makes your business more appealing and strengthens relationships. A good reputation can open doors to new opportunities and keep you ahead of competitors.
Overall, carbon accounting is more than just an expense—it’s an investment in your business’s future. It helps you cut costs, reduce your environmental impact, and grow in the right direction. For any company looking to stay competitive and sustainable, it’s a smart and necessary step forward.