Emissions management software · carbon, managed through the year
Emissions management software
Emissions management software tracks greenhouse gas emissions through the year and manages the actions meant to reduce them.
This page reads that job against each standard and rule that defines what "emissions" means for a UK company.
It ranks nothing and has tested no product.
Status, stated exactly
Which rule defines the emissions you manage?
Five different definitions of what counts.
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GHG Protocol: voluntary standard
Scope 1, 2 and 3 under the Corporate Standard.
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SECR: law
UK energy and emissions, transport fuel only for Scope 3.
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UK SRS S2: comply or explain
Gross Scope 1, 2 and 3, location-based Scope 2.
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UK ETS: law
Installations, aviation and maritime, verified annually.
Read the detailed guidance and evidence
UK SRS S2 measures emissions under the 2004 GHG Protocol Corporate Standard (UK SRS S2 ¶29(a)).
SECR asks unquoted companies for no Scope 3 beyond transport fuel (SI 2008/410 Sch 7 Part 7A).
UK ETS installations submit a verified emissions report by 31 March and surrender allowances by 30 April (DESNZ).
Energy and carbon management software
Energy and carbon managed together
Energy data drives most Scope 1 and 2, and SECR needs both.
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Meters
Half-hourly or monthly consumption.
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Factors
DESNZ set for the year.
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ISO 50001
Energy performance indicators and baselines.
Module 04 / 04
ESOS
Audit or ISO 50001 route.
Read the detailed guidance and evidence
ISO 50001 requires continual energy performance improvement without setting the level (ISO).
ESOS Phase 4 accepts only an ESOS energy audit or ISO 50001 as a compliance route (SI 2026/701).
Scope 2
Location, market and the REGO question
Two methods, one meter.
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Location-based
Required by UK SRS S2.
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Market-based
Also required by the GHG Protocol where instruments exist.
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REGOs
Change the market-based figure only.
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Evidence
Certificate, volume, period, retirement.
Read the detailed guidance and evidence
Ofgem issues one REGO per megawatt-hour of eligible renewable output (Ofgem).
The GHG Protocol requires both Scope 2 methods where contractual instruments exist (GHG Protocol).
Carbon footprint management software
Company footprint, product footprint, plan footprint
Three footprints with three boundaries.
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Company
Scope 1, 2 and 3 inventory.
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Product
ISO 14067 life-cycle footprint.
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PPN 006 plan
Scope 1, 2 and five Scope 3 categories.
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Claim
Never net of credits.
Read the detailed guidance and evidence
A PPN 006 carbon reduction plan covers Scope 1 and 2 plus five Scope 3 categories only (PPN 006 Technical Standard).
Carbon footprint management software should label which boundary each figure uses.
Reductions
Managing reductions against a target
Targets, actions and gross progress.
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Target
Often a science-based target.
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Actions
Each with an owner and expected effect.
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Progress
Measured on gross emissions.
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Credits
Reported separately, never deducted.
Read the detailed guidance and evidence
Under the SBTi near-term criteria, carbon credits never count as reductions toward a target (SBTi criteria).
Badges
Is any emissions management software certified?
No; the GHG Protocol review service is closed.
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GHG Protocol
Built on GHG Protocol review closed until further notice.
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ISO 14064
Verification gives an opinion on a statement, not a software certificate.
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UK ETS
Verification by an accredited verifier.
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CDP
Accredited providers for CDP only.
Read the detailed guidance and evidence
The GHG Protocol’s Built on GHG Protocol review service is closed until further notice (GHG Protocol).
What this page does not say
The limits of this guide
Requirements and tests, not products.
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No ranking
No vendor is scored.
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No prices
None of our own.
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No testing
No product tested.
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Primary sources
Every rule cited.
Read the detailed guidance and evidence
This site is an independent reference and takes no commission from any vendor.
Frequently asked
Questions people ask
What is emissions management software?
Software that tracks greenhouse gas emissions through the year, manages reduction actions against targets and produces the figures a reporting rule needs.
What is carbon footprint management software?
The same job framed around a footprint; check which boundary it uses, company, product or carbon reduction plan.
What is energy and carbon management software?
A tool that manages energy data and the emissions calculated from it together, which suits SECR, ESOS and ISO 50001 work.
Is any emissions management software certified?
No. The GHG Protocol’s Built on GHG Protocol review service is closed until further notice, and verification certifies statements, not software.
Prepare the evidence
Emissions management software: from a requirement to a reporting pack
Use this preparation sequence alongside the detailed requirements on this page.
An editorial workflow, not a statutory schedule.
- Stage 0101
Reporting specification
Write the reporting boundaries and required outputs before evaluating a platform.
- Stage 0202
Evidence sample
Ask the vendor to demonstrate a representative import and calculation.
- Stage 0303
Method control
Inspect factor versions, estimates, permissions and change history.
- Stage 0404
Reporting export
Test the export against the required disclosures and existing reporting systems.
- Stage 0505
Review trail
Check whether a reviewer can follow a result back to its source record.
- Stage 0606
Commercial record
Record only the features, scope and prices the vendor actually commits to.
Read the applicable instrument: Corporate Standard
A practical brief
An evidence pack, with a clear review trail
Ask for a pack that lets the next reviewer retrace the scope decision, follow the evidence and understand the limitations.
This describes a useful handover; it does not certify compliance or establish that a vendor or adviser delivers it.
Module 01 / 04
Applicability record
Write down the entity, reporting route and relevant period, including why the route applies.
Module 02 / 04
Evidence register
Attach each reported figure or statement to its source, method, version and limitations.
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Review trail
Name the preparer, reviewer, open questions and decisions taken before publication.
Module 04 / 04
Usable handover
Retain the working files and unresolved actions so the next reporting cycle can reuse the evidence.
View the preparation diagram
- Prepare01
Create the traceable pack
Keep the input records, calculation files and narrative together.
- Challenge02
Resolve questions before publication
Record the assumptions challenged and any limitations still unresolved.
- Retain03
Make the next cycle reproducible
Keep the approved version and the actions carried forward.
Continue your research
Related guides, one question at a time
Sources
Primary sources
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner.
Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
- GHG ProtocolCorporate Standard
- GHG ProtocolScope 2 Guidance
- GHG ProtocolScope 3 Standard
- GHG ProtocolGuidance Built on GHG Protocol
- DBTUK SRS S2
- LegislationSI 2008/410 Schedule 7 Part 7A
- DESNZParticipating in the UK ETS
- ISOISO 50001:2018
- LegislationSI 2026/701
- OfgemREGO
- Cabinet OfficePPN 006 Technical Standard
- SBTiNear-term criteria
- DESNZGreenhouse gas conversion factors 2026
- ISOISO 14064-1:2018