A 219-page report on the market for sustainability software platforms for both carbon (footprint) management and ESG reporting (incl. market sizing, competitive landscape and key trends)
The "Sustainability Platforms Market Report 2025-2029" is part of IoT Analytics' ongoing coverage of emerging technology topics and vertical applications. The information presented in this report is based on the results of multiple surveys, secondary research as well as qualitative research, i.e., interviews with industry experts from vendors and end users. The document includes definitions for sustainability platforms, market projections, adoption drivers, competitive landscape, key trends and developments, and case studies.
SAMPLE VIEW
The main purpose of this document is to help our readers understand the current sustainability platform landscape by defining, sizing, and analyzing the market.
SAMPLE VIEW
About the market
The sustainability platform market is still at an early stage of development but growing rapidly. Most adopters are still at the pilot stage and/or with small-scale implementations. It is highly fragmented with eight main vendor types. Vendors are categorized into 8 segments:
1. Carbon footprint
2. ESG & sustainability
3. EHS
4. Energy
5. GRC
6. IT/cloud
7. Financial
8. Consulting.
SAMPLE VIEW
Key market drivers, challenges, and trends
IoT Analytics identified 5 drivers and 7 challenges highlighted in the report.
What are sustainability platforms?
Definition
Sustainability Platforms are software tools designed to help organizations understand, manage, and improve their sustainability performance. Sustainability Platforms streamline the collection, aggregation, analysis, and reporting of sustainability-related data across various ESG dimensions and provide a holistic view of an organization's sustainability performance.
Categorization
1. Carbon management
2. ESG reporting
3. Supply chain
SAMPLE VIEW
Key features
Three of the most important features of Sustainability Platforms are:
1. Advanced analytics: These platforms utilize powerful analytics to offer insights into key sustainability metrics, trends, and areas needing improvement, supporting data-driven decision-making.
2. Reporting functionalities: Using automated tools can streamline compliance with ESG standards and simplify both internal and external reporting processes.
3. Collaboration tools: These tools facilitate communication and engagement among stakeholders through feedback systems, shared dashboards, and integrated workflows.
Key benefits
Three of the most valuable benefits of Sustainability Platforms are:
1. Easier regulatory compliance: Automating ESG data management and reporting ensures organizations stay aligned with evolving regulatory requirements.
2. Improved decision-making: Data-driven insights enable organizations to identify risks and opportunities, driving strategies that optimize resource use and reduce costs.
3. Transparency and stakeholder engagement: Providing clear, accessible information builds trust with stakeholders and demonstrates a commitment to responsible practices, enhancing an organization's reputation.
Questions answered:
What are sustainability platforms (i.e., a definition)?
What are the key features and capabilities of sustainability platforms, both for ESG reporting and for carbon management?
Who are the leading vendors of sustainability platforms, and how much market share do they have?
How large is the sustainability platforms market, and how does it split into segments (i.e., by regions or industries)?
What are some insightful case studies of companies implementing sustainability platforms?
How does ESG reporting work?
What are some of the sustainability targets of governments and selected corporations?
What is sustainability, and what are its various aspects?
What are the key drivers and trends in the market?
What are the key challenges to sustainability management platform adoption?
Companies mentioned:
A selection of companies mentioned in the report.
Apple
Cority
IBM
Microsoft
Persefoni
SAP
Salesforce
Schneider Electric
ServiceNow
Siemens
Sphera
Sweep
Watershed
Wolters Kluwer
Workiva
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction to sustainability
Introduction to sustainability: Chapter overview and key takeaways
Starting point: Becoming sustainable is a top challenge for humanity
Both public and corporate awareness of "sustainability" and "climate" have jumped in recent years
Defining 1) sustainability and 2) sustainable development
The 3 core dimensions of sustainability: The classic sustainability model
The "stronger" sustainability model puts the environment first
Key milestones in the evolution of global sustainable development efforts
There are 6 core aspects of environmental sustainability
1. Greenhouse gases: Overview
1. Greenhouse gases: What they are
1. Greenhouse gases: The nine main types of gases
1. Greenhouse gases: Main contributors to GHG emissions
1. Greenhouse gases: Emissions by sector
1. Greenhouse gases: Fossil fuel company emissions
1. Greenhouse gases: The Greenhouse effect
1. Greenhouse gases: The effect on climate change
2. Policy: The UN Sustainable Development Goals
2. Policy: The UN Sustainable Development - goals
2. Policy: The UN Sustainable Development - current progress
2. Policy: The Paris Agreement - overview
2. Policy: The Paris Agreement - current status
3. Circular economy: Overview
3. Circular economy: Key benefits
3. Circular economy: Key challenges
3. Circular economy: The role of technology
3. Circular economy: Daisy helps Apple battle e-waste
3. Circular economy: Life cycle assessment
4. Deforestation
5. Energy use
6. Pollution
How to become more sustainable: Key analyst viewpoints
3. Carbon footprint and management
Carbon footprint and management: Chapter overview and key takeaways
What is a carbon footprint?
The difference between Carbon Neutral and Net Zero
Three GHG emission scopes for carbon footprint calculations
Three main ways for companies to reduce their carbon footprint
Carbon pricing
Snapshot: Overview of carbon pricing initiatives around the world
Practical examples of ETS and carbon taxes
Snapshot: Current ETS and Carbon Taxes pricing trends
Ten other common sustainable development terms
4. Corporate and governmental carbon footprint targets
Corporate and governmental carbon footprint targets: Chapter overview and key takeaways
Snapshot: Sustainability targets by major governments
Snapshot: Sustainability targets by major cities
Snapshot: Sustainability targets by major corporations
Example 1: Microsoft's commitment to sustainability
Example 1: Microsoft's mission to become carbon negative by 2030
Example 2: Apple's commitment to sustainability
Example 2: Apple 2030-Apple's journey to carbon neutrality by 2030