Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions: best software solutions 2026

These are the 8 best software solutions for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in 2026:

Dcycle
Watershed
Normative
Plan A
Sweep
Greenly
Persefoni
Sphera

Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions are the three categories the GHG Protocol uses for all greenhouse gas emissions of a company: direct emissions from owned sources (Scope 1), indirect emissions from purchased energy (Scope 2), and all other indirect emissions across the upstream and downstream value chain (Scope 3).

Capturing all three scopes in full is no longer voluntary for most companies: CSRD requires in-scope companies to disclose Scope 1, Scope 2 (both methods) and all material Scope 3 categories under ESRS E1, SBTi requires a complete baseline before submission, and supply chain transparency is demanded by customers and investors across industries.

This article presents the 8 best software solutions for Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, explains the differences between the scopes, and shows what matters when choosing a platform.

The 8 best Scope 1, 2 and 3 software solutions compared for 2026

1) Dcycle

Dcycle is a SaaS platform for full capture, calculation and reporting of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions under the GHG Protocol, and connects them directly with CSRD, EU Taxonomy, supply chain due diligence and SBTi in a single platform.

What sets Dcycle apart: emissions data is not only calculated but prepared directly for all regulatory requirements. The carbon footprint you build today for your climate strategy is tomorrow’s CSRD report under ESRS E1, the basis for SBTi targets and the data foundation for supply chain due diligence reports.

With Dcycle, companies can:

Capture Scope 1 (stationary combustion, vehicles, process emissions, fugitive emissions) fully and automatically.
Calculate Scope 2 using both methods: location-based with national grid factors and market-based with guarantees of origin (GOs) and PPAs.
Map Scope 3 across all 15 categories: from purchased goods (Cat. 1) and business travel (Cat. 6) to financed emissions (Cat. 15).
Integrate supplier-specific primary data and request it through structured supplier portals.
Export CSRD- and ESRS-E1-compliant reports directly from the platform.
Automatically calculate SBTi reduction pathways and track progress continuously.

Request a demo to see how Dcycle automates Scope 1, 2 and 3 end to end and prepares data for every framework.

2) Watershed

Watershed is a US platform for enterprise carbon management with strong data integrations and a structured Scope 3 methodology. Especially suited to globally active companies with complex supply chains and high data volumes.

Watershed offers primary-data-based calculations for Scope 3 category 1 (purchased goods and services) and one of the most comprehensive Scope 3 methodologies on the market.

What Watershed offers:

Deep ERP and procurement system integrations for all three scopes.
Structured Scope 3 methodology for all 15 categories.
Reporting templates for CSRD, CDP and SEC Climate Disclosure Rule.

3) Normative

Normative specialises in standardised, audit-ready emissions calculations and offers one of the most methodologically precise foundations for all three scopes. Particularly strong at identifying the largest emission sources through detailed hotspot analysis.

The regularly updated emissions factor database and complete calculation documentation make Normative a strong choice for companies with high audit requirements.

What sets Normative apart:

Extensive, updated emissions factor database for all scopes.
Full documentation of every calculation step for CSRD audits.
Hotspot analysis to prioritise the largest emission sources.

4) Plan A

Plan A combines capture of all three scopes with climate target planning and sustainability reporting in one integrated system. Especially suited to mid-sized companies that want to use Scope 1, 2 and 3 data in parallel for CSRD, SBTi and internal climate goals.

Advantages of Plan A:

Integrated Scope 1-2-3 capture and reduction target planning.
Focus on European regulation: CSRD, EU Taxonomy, SBTi.
Intuitive interface with guided workflows for all three scopes.

5) Sweep

Sweep is a European platform with a particular focus on Scope 3 capture across the supply chain and structured supplier engagement programmes. For companies where Scope 3 makes up most of the footprint, Sweep offers targeted tools to address that area systematically.

Strengths of Sweep:

Structured supplier engagement programmes for Scope 3 category 1.
Integrated Scope 2 optimisation through guarantees of origin and PPAs.
CSRD and CDP reporting templates for all three scopes.

6) Greenly

Greenly is a European platform for automated carbon accounting with fast implementation and guided onboarding. Well suited to companies starting with Scope 1 and 2 and building Scope 3 step by step.

What Greenly offers:

Quick setup for Scope 1 and Scope 2 capture.
Guided workflows for building the Scope 3 footprint incrementally.
Support for CSRD, CDP and SBTi preparation.

7) Persefoni

Persefoni offers a specialised carbon management platform originally built for financial institutions. Particularly strong on Scope 3 category 15 (investments) under the PCAF standard and portfolio analysis of financed emissions.

Main advantages of Persefoni:

Scope 3 category 15 calculations for banks and asset managers under PCAF.
Automated calculation of all three scopes under the GHG Protocol.
Support for CSRD, TCFD and net-zero banking commitments.

8) Sphera

Sphera offers a comprehensive ESG platform with strong focus on operational emissions data and EHS integration, especially suited to industrial companies with site-based Scope 1 emissions and complex production processes.

Strengths of Sphera:

Site-based Scope 1 calculations for industrial facilities.
EHS integration for operational Scope 1 and Scope 2 data.
Scalable for globally active industrial companies.

What are Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions?

Scope 1: direct emissions

Scope 1 emissions are all direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources a company owns or controls. They arise directly from its own activities: stationary combustion (gas heating, oil boilers), mobile combustion (company vehicles), process emissions (industrial production) and fugitive emissions (refrigerant leaks, HFCs).

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Scope 1 and electrification: The most important lever for Scope 1 reduction is electrification: heating via heat pump, fleet electrification, process heat from renewable sources. What today counts as Scope 1 disappears from the direct footprint through electrification. Make sure the electricity comes from renewable sources, otherwise the emission simply moves to Scope 2.

Scope 2: indirect emissions from purchased energy

Scope 2 emissions do not occur at the company site but during generation of the energy purchased: electricity, district heating, steam and cooling. The GHG Protocol requires Scope 2 to be reported using two methods:

Location-based: uses the average national grid factor (e.g. Germany 2024: 0.233 kg CO2e/kWh).

Market-based: reflects contractual arrangements, guarantees of origin (GOs) and PPAs. With 100% green power and verified GOs, market-based Scope 2 can fall to zero.

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Location-based vs market-based for CSRD and SBTi: CSRD and ESRS E1 require both methods. For SBTi near-term targets, the market-based method counts. If you declare electricity as renewable through a PPA or guarantees of origin, you reach your SBTi Scope 2 pathway much faster.

Scope 3: all 15 value chain categories

Scope 3 emissions cover all indirect emissions in the upstream and downstream value chain. For most companies they account for 70 to 90 percent of the total carbon footprint.

The GHG Protocol splits Scope 3 into 15 categories: upstream (Cat. 1–8) includes emissions from manufacturing purchased goods (Cat. 1), capital goods (Cat. 2), fuel- and energy-related activities (Cat. 3), upstream transport (Cat. 4), waste disposal (Cat. 5), business travel (Cat. 6), employee commuting (Cat. 7) and upstream leased assets (Cat. 8). Downstream (Cat. 9–15) covers downstream transport (Cat. 9), further processing (Cat. 10), use of sold products (Cat. 11), end of life (Cat. 12), downstream leased assets (Cat. 13), franchises (Cat. 14) and investments (Cat. 15).

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Scope 3 materiality analysis as the first step: Not all 15 categories are equally relevant for every company. A materiality analysis identifies categories above 1% of total emissions and focuses data collection on the most impactful sources. For CSRD and SBTi, all material categories are mandatory.

Dcycle calculates all 15 Scope 3 categories automatically and prepares results directly for CSRD, SBTi and EU Taxonomy. Learn more in a free demo.

Request a demo →

5 criteria for choosing the best Scope 1-2-3 software

1) Full coverage of all three scopes and all 15 Scope 3 categories

The most important technical criterion is complete coverage of all scopes and categories. Many platforms support Scope 1 and 2 well but have blind spots in Scope 3 categories such as Cat. 11 (use of sold products) or Cat. 15 (investments). Check specifically which categories the platform supports methodologically in full.

2) Both Scope 2 methods: location-based and market-based

CSRD and ESRS E1 require both Scope 2 methods. For SBTi near-term targets, the market-based method counts. A platform that supports only one method forces manual rework or delivers incomplete CSRD data.

3) Automation and data integration for all three scopes

Scope 1 data comes from energy bills and vehicle consumption, Scope 2 from electricity invoices and guarantees of origin, Scope 3 from ERP, procurement and HR systems plus supplier information. A good platform connects all these source systems through native connectors and drastically reduces manual collection effort.

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Scope 3 category 1 from ERP: The largest Scope 3 source for most companies is category 1 (purchased goods and services). Direct integration with ERP or accounting software enables spend-based calculation automatically, without manual data entry. That is the fastest route to a first complete Scope 3 footprint.

4) Audit readiness and CSRD compatibility under ESRS E1

External CSRD assurance requires full documentation: which emission factors were used, from which source, under which methodology, in which version, and what changed versus the prior year. The software must offer complete audit trails, version control and source evidence as standard features.

5) Multi-framework export: CSRD, SBTi, CDP and supply chain due diligence from one data base

Scope 1-2-3 data is needed for several frameworks at once. Choose a platform that prepares the same dataset for CSRD reports, SBTi submissions, CDP questionnaires and supply chain due diligence reports without re-entering data.

Dcycle meets all five criteria. See in a free demo how the platform automates Scope 1, 2 and 3 fully and prepares data for every framework.

Request a demo →

5 benefits of modern Scope 1-2-3 software

1) Complete and consistent emissions footprint across all scopes

A specialised platform ensures Scope 1, 2 and 3 are calculated under one methodology and managed consistently across reporting periods. That eliminates the most common errors in manual footprints: missing Scope 3 categories, inconsistent emission factors and undocumented methodology.

2) Significant time savings through automation

Automated data capture from ERP, accounting and procurement systems reduces annual effort from weeks to days. Especially for Scope 3 supply chain data, automation makes the difference between a complete and an incomplete footprint.

3) Audit-ready documentation for CSRD and external assurance

A modern platform creates full assurance documentation automatically: source references for every data point, emission factors with versioning, calculation rules and complete change history. That significantly reduces effort for external CSRD assurance.

4) Foundation for SBTi targets and climate transition plan

Reliable Scope 1-2-3 data is a prerequisite for SBTi submissions and the climate transition plan under ESRS E1-1. Only when all three scopes are captured fully and methodologically correctly can a company define credible reduction targets and prove progress.

5) Single data base for all reporting obligations

Scope 1-2-3 data captured once flows automatically into CSRD reports, EU Taxonomy analyses, SBTi progress updates and CDP questionnaires. That prevents inconsistencies between reports and saves significant duplicate effort.

Dcycle: Scope 1, 2 and 3 in one integrated platform

Full coverage of all three scopes

Dcycle is designed as an integrated platform that centralises Scope 1, 2 and 3 data in one system: captured automatically from ERP and procurement systems, calculated correctly under the GHG Protocol and prepared directly for all regulatory requirements.

Scope 1 is captured through direct integrations with energy management systems and vehicle data. Scope 2 is calculated for both methods and linked to guarantees of origin. Scope 3 is covered across all 15 categories, with supplier portals for primary data and ERP integrations for spend-based estimates as a starting point.

From Scope 3 data point to CSRD report

Emissions data in Dcycle flows automatically into CSRD reports under ESRS E1, EU Taxonomy analyses, SBTi progress tracking and supply chain due diligence reports. Instead of running three separate systems for carbon footprint, CSRD reporting and SBTi tracking in parallel, Dcycle covers all requirements from a single data base.

See Dcycle in action. In 30 minutes we show how Scope 1, 2 and 3 are fully automated and prepared for CSRD, SBTi and CDP.

Book a free demo →

Frequently asked questions about Scope 1, 2 and 3

What is the difference between Scope 1, 2 and 3?

Scope 1 covers direct emissions from company-owned or controlled sources: vehicles, heating systems, production processes, refrigerant leaks. Scope 2 captures indirect emissions from consumption of purchased energy: electricity, district heating, steam and cooling. Scope 3 covers all other indirect emissions in the value chain across 15 categories: from purchased goods and business travel to product use by customers and investments. Scope 3 typically accounts for 70 to 90% of total emissions for most companies.

Which scopes are mandatory under CSRD?

All three scopes are mandatory for in-scope companies under ESRS E1. Scope 1 and Scope 2 (location-based and market-based) must be disclosed in full. Scope 3 must be disclosed for all material categories. For the first reporting year there is a transitional period for Scope 3; from the second year, full data is required. A climate transition plan under ESRS E1-1 is also mandatory.

Why must Scope 2 emissions be calculated using two methods?

The GHG Protocol requires Scope 2 to be calculated both location-based (using the average national grid factor) and market-based (using contractual guarantees of origin or PPA data), with both values disclosed. CSRD and ESRS E1 adopt this requirement. For SBTi near-term targets, the market-based method counts. The difference between both methods shows how much a company has already achieved through renewable energy procurement.

Must Scope 3 emissions be collected directly from suppliers?

Not necessarily. The GHG Protocol allows three calculation approaches: spend-based as a starting point, activity-based with specific data points, and supplier-specific with primary data. For CSRD assurance and SBTi submissions, supplier-specific primary data is preferred. Building a structured supplier engagement programme is therefore a central step for a robust Scope 3 footprint.

How are Scope 3 and supply chain due diligence connected?

The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and Scope 3 reporting share the same foundation: systematic capture of supply chain data. Emissions data for Scope 3 category 1 (purchased goods and services) overlaps significantly with supplier information needed for due diligence obligations. An integrated platform covering both requirements prevents duplicate data collection.

How long does it take to build a complete Scope 1-2-3 footprint?

For Scope 1 and Scope 2, 2 to 6 weeks is typically realistic. A complete Scope 3 footprint across all material categories can take 2 to 4 months depending on data availability and integration effort. With a platform like Dcycle that processes ERP data automatically and provides supplier portals for primary data, this timeline can be shortened significantly.