If your company is starting to think more seriously about environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts or sustainability reporting, you’re not alone. A growing number of businesses—from startups to big corporations—are trying to show how they’re acting responsibly, reducing their impact on the environment, and treating people fairly. Tools and software can make reporting on these efforts a lot easier to manage. In this article, we’ll look at some good ones that people are using right now. (And if you’re looking for more guides like this, planet-positive.org is a helpful place to start.)
First up is ESG reporting software like SpheraCloud and Enablon. These tools help companies collect and organize data about their carbon footprint, water use, worker safety, and more. They also help with setting goals and tracking progress. If your team is just starting out, these platforms might look a bit detailed, but they’re good for making sense of everything in one place.
Then there’s Tableau and Microsoft Power BI. Both are great for making data easy to understand. If you’ve already got ESG numbers but need to show them in a clear, visual way for others in your company—or for a public report—these tools can help turn a spreadsheet into something more useful. Charts and dashboards can quickly show where you’re doing well or what needs some extra focus.
Sustain.Life is another tool worth mentioning—simple and easy for small and mid-size businesses. It helps track things like energy use, waste, and even company travel. It’s a good starting point if you're trying to take those first steps in reporting, but don’t have a big budget or a full ESG team.
For bigger companies that need to report in line with global standards like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), software such as Workiva and Intelex can help stay on track with required frameworks.
The right tool really depends on your needs, your budget, and how advanced your tracking already is. Sometimes, a simple spreadsheet is still a good place to begin. But as your plans grow, using purpose-built software can save time and reduce mistakes.
In the end, reporting isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about making real changes and showing progress over time. With the right help, you can focus less on the paperwork and more on making better decisions for your people, your business, and the planet.