Unternehmen dabei unterstützen, ihren CO₂-Fußabdruck durch KI-gestützte Einblicke und automatisierte Nachhaltigkeitsberichte zu reduzieren.
Karel Maly
June 18, 2025
The pressure for companies to manage and reduce their environmental impact has become a core strategic imperative. Investors, regulators, and consumers demand transparent, tangible action on decarbonization. For large enterprises, tracking emissions, especially the notoriously difficult Scope 3 supply chain data, can quickly devolve into spreadsheet chaos, leading to inaccuracies and compliance risks.
The challenge isn't just about collecting data. It's about validating it, analyzing it for actionable insights, and reporting it in line with evolving standards like the GHG Protocol, TCFD, and the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This level of scrutiny requires a robust, specialized solution.
This is where a dedicated CO2 tracking tool for companies becomes indispensable. These platforms move beyond manual processes, offering automated, audit-ready solutions that provide the clarity and confidence needed to set and achieve ambitious net-zero targets.
This guide provides a comprehensive roundup of the seven leading tools on the market. We will break down their specific strengths, ideal use cases, and practical implementation details to help you select a partner that not only ensures compliance but also transforms sustainability efforts into a measurable competitive advantage.
Persefoni positions itself as a premier Climate Management and Accounting Platform (CMAP), specifically engineered for enterprise-level organizations and financial institutions. It leverages AI-powered technology to automate the difficult process of data collection, calculation, and reporting of a company's carbon footprint. The platform provides auditable, finance-grade data across all three emission scopes, making it a go-to solution for businesses facing stringent regulatory and investor scrutiny.
The platform functions by integrating with a company's existing systems, such as ERP, procurement, and HR software, to automatically pull activity data. This could include everything from fuel and electricity consumption (Scope 1 and 2) to complex supply chain logistics and employee travel (Scope 3). This automation is a key differentiator, reducing the risk of human error and freeing up ESG teams to focus on strategy rather than data entry.
Persefoni is ideal for large, multinational corporations with intricate operations. For instance, global investment firm Blackstone adopted the platform to standardize carbon accounting across its diverse portfolio companies. Similarly, industrial leader Johnson Controls uses Persefoni to manage emissions across its worldwide operations, and Workday relies on it to support its ambitious net-zero commitments.
To give you a snapshot of its core capabilities, here is a quick reference summary of the platform's features.
This summary highlights Persefoni's comprehensive coverage, from all emission scopes to key regulatory frameworks, positioning it as a powerful CO2 tracking tool for companies focused on compliance and detailed reporting.
To maximize the platform’s value, follow these actionable tips:
Plan A positions itself as a leading science-based corporate decarbonization platform, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for businesses to manage their entire sustainability journey. Headquartered in Berlin, it merges a sophisticated SaaS platform with dedicated support from in-house sustainability experts. This dual approach allows companies to measure, reduce, and report their carbon footprint while navigating complex regulatory environments, especially within the European Union.
Plan A's platform functions by automating the collection of activity data across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, turning it into an accurate and verifiable carbon inventory. Its software then helps visualize emission hotspots and model reduction pathways. Crucially, this technology is paired with consulting services that guide companies through everything from initial footprinting to developing a net-zero strategy, ensuring the data leads to meaningful action.
This platform is ideal for European enterprises or global companies with a significant EU presence that need to align with regulations like the CSRD. For instance, mobility provider Flixbus uses Plan A to track and reduce emissions from its extensive transport operations. Similarly, HelloFresh implemented the platform for in-depth supply chain analysis, and the digital bank N26 adopted it for its financial services carbon accounting. This unique blend of software and service makes it a premier CO2 tracking tool for companies seeking a guided and compliant path to decarbonization.
To get the most out of Plan A’s unique offerings, consider these best practices:
Salesforce Sustainability Cloud operates as a native carbon accounting solution built directly on the company's renowned CRM platform. It allows organizations to track, analyze, and report on their environmental data directly within their existing Salesforce environment. This integration connects sustainability initiatives with core business operations, providing a unified view of performance and streamlining ESG reporting.
The platform functions by capturing and managing environmental data, such as energy consumption and business travel, alongside customer and operational data. It comes with pre-loaded emission factors from sources like the EPA and IPCC to automate complex carbon accounting calculations, turning raw business data into actionable environmental insights.
Sustainability Cloud is particularly powerful for companies already invested in the Salesforce ecosystem, as it minimizes the learning curve and leverages existing infrastructure. For example, global energy management leader Schneider Electric utilizes the platform for its complex global carbon reporting. Likewise, T-Mobile implemented the solution for comprehensive emissions tracking, and consulting firm Deloitte adopted it to manage its own internal sustainability goals. This integrated approach makes it an effective CO2 tracking tool for companies looking to embed sustainability directly into their operational fabric.
To get the most out of Salesforce Sustainability Cloud, consider these actionable tips:
Watershed positions itself as a comprehensive climate platform designed to help companies measure their carbon footprint, create science-based reduction targets, and execute tangible decarbonization plans. The platform is built around the principle of data accuracy, offering granular insights and clear guidance on high-impact carbon reduction initiatives, with a particular strength in mapping complex supply chain emissions.
The platform functions by ingesting business data from financial systems, utility bills, and supplier information to build a complete emissions inventory across all three scopes. Watershed provides a "climate intelligence" layer that not only calculates the footprint but also identifies the most effective reduction opportunities, models their financial impact, and provides a marketplace for high-quality carbon removal projects.
Watershed is particularly effective for tech-forward and high-growth companies looking for an actionable, data-driven climate program. For example, fintech leader Stripe uses the platform for precise carbon measurement and to manage its innovative carbon removal purchasing program. Likewise, Klarna leverages Watershed for its comprehensive climate reporting, while Twitter (now X) adopted it to track its corporate carbon footprint and progress toward sustainability goals.
To maximize the platform’s value, follow these actionable tips:
Its robust feature set makes it a leading CO2 tracking tool for companies aiming for a transparent climate strategy. The platform's specialized focus on the supply chain offers essential tools for any organization looking to master the challenges of Scope 3 emissions tracking.
Microsoft Sustainability Manager is a comprehensive solution built on the Microsoft Cloud, designed to help organizations record, report, and reduce their environmental impact. It unifies data intelligence and provides a common data model to automate sustainability management. The platform leverages the power of Microsoft's extensive ecosystem to offer a scalable and integrated approach to carbon accounting.
The platform functions by ingesting data from various sources, including ERP systems, IoT devices, and utility providers, and centralizing it for analysis. It provides pre-built calculation models for all three emission scopes and helps generate reports aligned with major regulatory frameworks. Its AI-powered capabilities identify emission patterns and reduction opportunities, turning raw data into actionable insights for decarbonization.
Microsoft Sustainability Manager is particularly beneficial for large enterprises already invested in the Microsoft technology stack. For example, consumer goods giant Unilever uses the platform for its global ESG data management, while the H&M Group has implemented it to gain visibility into supply chain emissions. Logistics leader FedEx also adopted it for comprehensive carbon footprint management across its vast operations. This makes it an effective CO2 tracking tool for companies seeking to integrate sustainability into their core IT infrastructure.
To maximize the platform’s value, follow these actionable tips:
These practices help transform complex data into a clear decarbonization roadmap, solidifying its position as one of the top ESG reporting tools for businesses in 2025.
Greenly has established itself as a leading carbon accounting platform designed to make sustainability accessible, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Originating from France's vibrant tech ecosystem, the platform focuses on simplifying the complexities of carbon measurement through automation. It provides an affordable yet comprehensive solution for tracking emissions across all three scopes, empowering companies that may lack dedicated ESG resources to begin their climate journey.
Greenly's primary mechanism for automation is its ability to integrate directly with a company's financial systems, including over 2,000 banks and accounting software tools. By analyzing spending data, the platform automatically categorizes transactions and applies relevant emissions factors to calculate a robust Scope 3 footprint. This spend-based methodology offers a fast and efficient way to get a complete emissions overview without manual data collection.
This approach makes it an ideal CO2 tracking tool for companies that are just starting out or have limited operational data. For example, the fintech company Qonto leverages Greenly for streamlined carbon accounting and reporting. Likewise, the sustainable fashion brand Faguo uses the platform to gain visibility into its complex supply chain emissions. It has also been widely adopted by French and European SMBs seeking to comply with emerging climate regulations in a cost-effective manner.
To get the most out of the Greenly platform, consider these actionable strategies:
Sphera offers an enterprise-grade Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) platform with a distinguished foundation in operational risk and environmental compliance. This heritage gives it a unique advantage, evolving into a comprehensive sustainability solution that provides detailed carbon accounting alongside robust climate risk assessment. It is engineered for organizations that view sustainability not just as a reporting exercise, but as a core component of operational excellence and risk management.
The platform combines powerful software with extensive data services to deliver a holistic view of a company's environmental impact. It moves beyond simple emissions calculations by integrating sustainability performance directly with operational risk, product stewardship, and regulatory compliance. This integrated approach allows businesses to track their carbon footprint while simultaneously managing the associated financial and physical risks posed by climate change.
Sphera is particularly effective for large, asset-heavy industrial organizations that face complex operational challenges and stringent regulatory demands. For example, global energy giant Shell uses the platform for comprehensive ESG and carbon management, while Dow Chemical implements it to drive operational sustainability. Many other Fortune 500 companies in the industrial sector rely on Sphera's sophisticated climate risk assessment capabilities, making it a proven CO2 tracking tool for companies where environmental performance is intrinsically linked to business continuity.
To get the most out of Sphera’s extensive capabilities, consider these best practices:
Platform | Implementation Complexity 🔄 | Resource Requirements ⚡ | Expected Outcomes 📊 | Ideal Use Cases 💡 | Key Advantages ⭐ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persefoni | High - complex for large orgs | High - significant data infrastructure | Enterprise-grade carbon accounting and ESG reporting | Large enterprises needing full Scope 1-3 tracking | AI-automated data accuracy, regulatory compliance |
Plan A | Medium - easier for mid-market | Moderate - combines software & consulting | CO2 measurement, reduction, CSRD compliance | Mid to large European companies | Strong EU compliance, supplier engagement |
Sustainability Cloud (Salesforce) | Medium-High - depends on Salesforce use | Moderate - Salesforce license required | Integrated sustainability reporting aligned with CRM | Existing Salesforce customers | Seamless Salesforce integration, workflow automation |
Watershed | Medium - evolving but supported | High - premium pricing, detailed data needs | Accurate carbon footprint, science-based targets | Mid to large tech companies | Data accuracy, actionable reduction strategies |
Microsoft Sustainability Manager | High - complex, MS ecosystem dependent | High - requires Microsoft investment | Comprehensive ESG management with AI insights | Large enterprises within Microsoft ecosystem | AI-powered analytics, deep MS integration |
Greenly | Low - simple, quick implementation | Low - SMB-friendly pricing | Automated footprint with focus on SMBs | Small to medium businesses, esp. in Europe | Affordable, simple UI, bank transaction data |
Sphera | Very High - complex and steep learning | Very High - expensive, enterprise-grade | Comprehensive ESG and carbon management with risk focus | Large enterprises, industrial sector | Broad ESG scope, regulatory compliance, industry expertise |
Selecting the right CO2 tracking tool for companies is a pivotal strategic decision, one that marks the transition from environmental intention to measurable action. As we have explored, the landscape of solutions is diverse and robust, offering a tailored fit for nearly every organizational profile. Your ideal platform depends entirely on your unique operational fingerprint, regulatory pressures, and long-term sustainability ambitions.
We've seen how enterprise-grade powerhouses like Persefoni and Sphera provide the comprehensive, audit-ready frameworks demanded by complex multinational corporations. In contrast, tools like Salesforce Sustainability Cloud and Microsoft Sustainability Manager offer seamless integration for companies already embedded in those ecosystems, leveraging familiar infrastructure to accelerate deployment. For organizations navigating the specific demands of European regulations like the CSRD, Plan A presents a compelling combination of sophisticated software and expert guidance. Meanwhile, Watershed appeals to technology-driven companies focused on granular supply chain decarbonization, and Greenly effectively democratizes carbon accounting for smaller enterprises.
The path forward requires a clear-eyed assessment of your specific needs. Before making a final choice, your team should focus on these critical questions:
Ultimately, the goal is not just to track carbon but to eliminate it. This is where the quality and actionability of your data become paramount. For many businesses, especially those in logistics and manufacturing, the greatest challenge and opportunity lies within Scope 3 emissions. Generic platforms can sometimes struggle here, relying on industry averages and estimations that obscure true performance hotspots.
Mastering your carbon data transforms a regulatory burden into a powerful lever for business improvement. Accurate, real-time insights allow you to identify inefficiencies in your supply chain, optimize transportation routes, reduce fuel consumption, and strengthen partnerships with sustainable suppliers. This journey moves your sustainability function from a cost center to a value driver, enhancing brand reputation, building resilience against future carbon taxes, and creating a tangible competitive advantage. The right tool doesn't just produce reports; it fuels transformation.
For companies where logistics and supply chain complexity are the primary obstacles, achieving this transformation requires a specialized approach. If your priority is moving beyond estimates to gain actionable, high-fidelity data from your transport operations, a dedicated solution like Carbonpunk can provide the necessary precision.
Ready to turn complex logistics data into clear, actionable decarbonization strategies? Explore how Carbonpunk uses AI-powered automation to deliver over 95% data accuracy and unlock significant emission reductions.