Carbon accounting is a complex, ongoing process—and corporate sustainability teams are discovering that software alone, no matter how sophisticated it is, can’t do it all. The nuances of emissions data, accounting methodologies, and decarbonization pathways require a more comprehensive approach.
While carbon management software is essential for modern sustainability programs, it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle. The real challenge isn’t just having the right software—it’s about implementing it correctly, ensuring data quality, and turning insights into action. For most teams, that requires expert services to complement their chosen software.
The complexities of carbon accounting
What is often glossed over during software sales demos is this reality: implementing a carbon management platform is just the beginning. The real work involves:
- Wrangling data from dozens or hundreds of sources, each with their own format and quality issues
- Validating calculations against evolving methodologies and regulatory requirements
- Ensuring your accounting approach aligns with frameworks like CDP, CSRD, and upcoming SEC climate disclosures
- Translating raw emissions data into actionable reduction strategies
Carbon management software plays a critical role in addressing many of those challenges. It can simplify and accelerate each part of the process by automating repetitive tasks and structuring large datasets efficiently.
Automating data aggregation and emissions calculations
Modern platforms integrate with various enterprise systems to pull emissions data from utilities, suppliers, and internal operations. This automation eliminates manual data entry, reducing errors and saving sustainability teams significant time.
Standardizing reporting for CDP, CSRD, SEC climate disclosures, and more
Software solutions help companies align their reporting with key regulatory frameworks by automatically mapping collected data to required disclosure formats. This ensures consistency, reduces administrative burden, and improves transparency.
Scenario modeling for decarbonization planning
Advanced software platforms allow companies to model different reduction pathways, testing scenarios based on emissions reduction strategies, policy changes, and energy transitions. This empowers sustainability leaders to make data-driven decisions that align with long-term business goals.
Take Hewlett Packard Enterprise‘s experience. HPE utilized Optera’s Supply Chain Manager to track and reduce emissions across its supplier network. By leveraging automation, HPE was able to monitor and improve supplier emissions performance, resulting in better data accuracy and meaningful reduction strategies. The platform enabled HPE to track 80% of supplier emissions and engage more suppliers in its decarbonization efforts.
Where services bridges the gap: strategic insights and expert guidance
Modern carbon management software excels at automation and standardization. But software alone can’t:
- Determine the right methodological approach for your unique business context
- Ensure data quality and completeness
- Design effective decarbonization strategies
- Navigate the complexities of third-party verification
Carbon management requires not just measurement but action. Consulting teams help companies set science-based targets, develop decarbonization roadmaps, and prepare for third-party verification processes. This hands-on support ensures that sustainability strategies are both ambitious and achievable.
Plus, your software itself requires ongoing support. Even the most sophisticated carbon management software requires ongoing calibration and validation. Sustainability experts ensure that emissions factors remain up-to-date, reporting methodologies stay compliant, and data quality is continuously improved to avoid discrepancies during audits or third-party verifications.
Case study: Zayo builds an accurate emissions inventory
Zayo partnered with Optera to create its first comprehensive GHG inventory, leveraging both software automation and expert consulting. The following year, Zayo’s team partnered with Optera experts to conduct a gap analysis and improve on their first inventory. By combining automated data aggregation with expert guidance, Zayo improved its CDP climate score from a D to a B, reduced verification timelines by over 30%, and set a validated science-based target.
The power of integrated carbon management software and services
The most successful companies aren’t choosing between software and services—they’re leveraging both, ideally through a unified approach with a single vendor. This integration delivers:
- Faster implementation with proper data architecture from day one
- Higher quality data that stands up to third-party verification
- More strategic insights that drive real emissions reductions
- Streamlined reporting that meets evolving regulatory requirements
When software and services work together, companies avoid common pitfalls like misaligned methodologies, inaccurate emissions factors, and gaps in data quality that can derail sustainability efforts. At Optera, we call this the One Team approach.
Why Optera’s One Team approach matters
Managing multiple vendors creates unnecessary complexity. Each new relationship means more time spent getting teams up to speed, increased risk of miscommunication, longer response times during critical periods, and higher costs from overlapping services.
The alternative? A single team that understands both your technical needs and strategic goals. This approach has helped our clients achieve remarkable results:
- 100% success rate in third-party emissions verification
- Significantly faster implementation timelines
- More efficient use of internal resources
Moving forward: choosing the right partner
As you evaluate carbon management software, look beyond software demos. Ask potential partners:
- How do they handle implementation and ongoing support?
- What methodology expertise do they bring to the table?
- How do they ensure data quality and completeness?
- What’s their track record with third-party verification?
- For more on evaluating vendors, check out our complete Buyer’s Guide
The future of corporate carbon management isn’t about better software alone—it’s about smarter integration of technology and expertise. Companies that recognize this reality and invest in both will see better results, faster.
Ready to learn how the right combination of software and services can accelerate your sustainability journey? Talk to an expert on the Optera team today.
