Carbon Accounting Tool Finder

Find out what kind of carbon accounting tool your business needs

Answer a few simple questions. Get a practical recommendation based on your company, reporting needs, emissions scope, deadline and level of experience.

Built for companies doing carbon accounting for the first time, or moving beyond a basic carbon footprint.

What this tool helps you do

Carbon accounting can mean very different things depending on why you need it. A simple carbon footprint calculator is not the same as a Scope 3 reporting platform, a public sector Carbon Reduction Plan tool, a product carbon footprint system, CDP support, SBTi target-setting, SECR reporting software or a financed emissions platform.

The Carbon Accounting Tool Finder helps you understand what type of solution is likely to fit your situation before you buy software, use a calculator, or hire expert support.

Who this is for

  • First-time carbon reporters
  • Small and mid-sized businesses
  • Companies responding to customer requests
  • Companies bidding for tenders
  • Businesses needing Scope 1, 2 or 3 emissions
  • Procurement and sustainability teams
  • Finance teams responding to investor requests
  • Financial institutions looking at portfolio emissions
  • Teams comparing carbon accounting software
  • Teams unsure whether they need software, a consultant, or both

Common reasons businesses need carbon accounting tools

  • Customer carbon data request
  • Public sector tender
  • SECR reporting
  • Carbon Reduction Plan
  • Scope 3 reporting
  • Supplier emissions
  • CDP disclosure
  • SBTi targets
  • Product carbon footprint
  • LCA or EPD request
  • Financed emissions
  • Investor request
  • Internal net zero target
  • Annual carbon reporting

What kind of solution might you need?

Ten common shapes a carbon accounting solution can take. You may need one of these, or a mix.

Simple carbon footprint calculator

Best for: First-time users, small businesses, basic estimates.

Carbon accounting software

Best for: Repeatable annual reporting across Scope 1, 2 and selected Scope 3.

Scope 1, 2 and 3 reporting platform

Best for: Fuller GHG inventories with data collection and reporting workflows.

Scope 3 or supplier emissions tool

Best for: Companies where suppliers and value-chain emissions are material.

SECR or Carbon Reduction Plan tool

Best for: UK companies responding to formal reporting or tender requirements.

CDP or SBTi support tool

Best for: Disclosures, targets and more advanced sustainability reporting.

Product carbon footprint or LCA tool

Best for: Product-level emissions, PCFs, EPDs and lifecycle assessment.

Financed emissions platform

Best for: Banks, asset managers, insurers and lenders assessing portfolio emissions.

Consultant or advisory support

Best for: Unclear requirements, complex reporting or a tight deadline.

Software plus advisory support

Best for: Expert setup, then ongoing internal reporting through software.

Not sure what kind of carbon accounting solution you need?

Answer a few short questions and get a practical recommendation before you compare tools or speak to providers.

Start now

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Common questions

Carbon accounting software helps a business collect data, calculate greenhouse gas emissions and produce emissions reports. Some tools cover simple footprints. Others support Scope 1, Scope 2, Scope 3, supplier emissions, product footprints or financed emissions.

See the full FAQ