A growing number of Australian companies are taking ESG seriously, not just as a reporting requirement, but as a strategic lever for long-term success. In fact, global data shows that 87% of CEOs support integrating ESG metrics into corporate reporting, and this momentum is clearly visible in Australia too.
From climate-related disclosure proposals by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) to pressure from investors, customers, and supply chain partners, the demand for clear, auditable ESG data is rising fast. And that’s where ESG software comes in. Leading providers now offer a comprehensive solution that consolidates all your ESG data, enabling streamlined reporting and analysis.
What is ESG?
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance – a framework for understanding a company’s impact and sustainability performance.
- Environmental factors assess things like emissions, energy use, and waste.
- Social criteria focus on human rights, workplace practices, and community impact.
- Governance covers ethics, board structure, transparency, and risk controls.
Together, ESG data tells a powerful story: not just how a business operates, but how responsibly and sustainably it does so.
Why ESG data tracking matters in Australia
With the introduction of the AASB and a broader investor focus on sustainability reporting, Australian companies need systems that go beyond spreadsheets. The new reporting requirements will require businesses, starting with large listed companies and financial institutions, to report on climate-related risks, Scope 1–3 emissions, and transition strategies as part of their annual filings.
ESG software helps companies meet regulatory requirements and adapt to evolving regulations by providing tools to ensure compliance with new and existing mandates.
Even for those not yet legally required to report, investor and customer pressure means ESG data is quickly becoming a license to operate. ESG software allows companies to manage this complexity, streamline workflows, and avoid greenwashing by ensuring accuracy and traceability, and by helping ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
Common ESG data challenges for Australian organisations
Despite rising awareness, many businesses still face hurdles like:
- Low-quality or missing Scope 3 data (especially from suppliers), leading to significant data quality and data accuracy challenges
- Manual data entry and other manual tasks across departments and business units, resulting in inefficiency and increased risk of errors
- Inconsistent standards across reporting frameworks (ISSB, GRI, CDP, etc.)
- Lack of internal ESG expertise and time to manage compliance properly
These challenges are amplified for organisations with operations across Asia-Pacific, or those seeking international funding, where ESG expectations are higher.
Key benefits of ESG reporting software for Australian companies
✔ Automates data collection across teams and suppliers, reducing errors and saving time
✔ Enhances accuracy and reduces manual work
✔ Aligns to key standards (AASB, GRI, ISSB, CDP and others)
✔ Helps create investor- and audit-ready reports
✔ Offers dashboards, scenario planning, and action tracking
✔ Supports supplier engagement and real-time collaboration
✔ Delivers cost savings through improved efficiency and reduced waste
✔ Enables organizations to track progress toward sustainability goals
✔ Generates actionable insights for better decision-making
✔ Provides streamlined reporting processes for ESG data
✔ Assists in identifying risks related to ESG compliance and performance
✔ Supports overall sustainability management through integrated tools
Whether you’re preparing for climate disclosures in 2025 or building ESG maturity now, software platforms like Sweep and others can dramatically simplify the journey.
Top ESG software platforms for Australian businesses
There are a wide range of ESG software options available today, including cloud-based and scalable solutions that can adapt to organizations of all sizes.
The list below highlights the best ESG software for different needs, such as private markets and enterprise reporting. Some platforms provide a broader suite of features, acting as a comprehensive ESG reporting platform and reporting solution for data collection, automation, and compliance. These platforms offer tools to manage emissions, report ESG data, and stay on top of evolving regulatory expectations with advanced ESG reporting software.
1. Sweep
A flexible, end-to-end ESG management solution for ESG and carbon data management.
Key strengths:
- Streamlines sustainability data collection, supplier engagement, and carbon tracking
- Supports comprehensive reporting and compliance with CSRD, ISSB, and Australia’s upcoming climate rules
- Key features include GenAI-powered ESRS answer suggestions, automated campaign tracking, real-time dashboards, goal tracking, and emissions modelling
Trusted by leading brands like L’Oréal, Burberry, and SNCF
2. Avarni
Avarni is a carbon accounting software solution purpose-built for supply chain emissions management and Scope 3 readiness.
Key strengths:
- Deep scenario modelling for decarbonisation strategy
- Integrates with procurement systems for granular supplier data
- Supports activity-based data and spend-based fallback methods
- Enables supplier engagement at scale with real-time dashboards
3. Sumday
Designed to bring ESG and carbon reporting into the accounting function, Sumday is one of the leading ESG reporting solutions for finance teams. It helps companies prepare sustainability reports, ensuring transparent disclosure of environmental, social, and governance practices.
Key strengths:
- Embedded in finance workflows for carbon-informed reporting
- Automates Scope 1, 2, and 3 calculations across entities
- Supports accountants and finance teams with robust reporting capabilities and easy-to-use tooling
- Ideal for SMEs, growing mid-market firms, and professional services firms
4. Pathzero
Optimised for financial institutions and corporates with large investment portfolios.
Key strengths:
- Enables emissions tracking at the investment or asset level
- Aligns portfolios with Paris-aligned decarbonisation pathways
- Strong capabilities in ESG strategy, risk management, and TCFD-aligned financial risk disclosures
- Supports alignment with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations for governance, strategy, and risk management
- Offers transparency across funds, mandates, and counterparties
5. Schneider Electric EcoStruxure
Combines operational efficiency with ESG performance, supporting sustainable business practices.
Key strengths:
- Designed for energy-intensive sectors (infrastructure, manufacturing, real estate)
- Provides real-time monitoring of energy use and emissions, enabling accurate measurement and management of your carbon footprint
- Features robust carbon management tools to track, report, and reduce carbon emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3
- Connects directly with hardware and industrial systems
- Offers detailed dashboards for energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and transparent carbon accounting to support ESG compliance
6. Watershed
Supports global carbon accounting and emissions reduction strategy, with a strong focus on accurate carbon accounting to help organizations set, align, and achieve their sustainability goals and ESG goals.
Key strengths:
- Enables supplier data collection and Scope 3 reporting at scale
- Aligns company-wide strategy with science-based targets and supports progress toward sustainability goals and ESG goals
- Includes transition planning, scenario analysis, and Paris-alignment tools
- Trusted by Airbnb, FedEx, and Spotify
7. Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability
Ideal for organisations already using the Microsoft ecosystem.
Key strengths:
- Unifies ESG and carbon data within Power BI and Microsoft 365
- Supports emissions tracking, sustainability goal management, and disclosures
- Enables structured data outputs for assurance and audit processes
- Strong integration with Azure, Dynamics, and Microsoft security stack
- Provides tools for stakeholder engagement, allowing organisations to involve stakeholders through accessible dashboards, education modules, and feedback collection features
What to look for in ESG software
When evaluating software, ensure it offers:
- Alignment with ISSB, AASB climate disclosures, ASX climate rules, and support for various reporting frameworks and ESG frameworks such as TCFD, GRI, and SASB
- Automated Scope 1–3 data collection and validation tools with robust data processing capabilities for handling large and complex ESG data sets
- Supplier engagement features for granular upstream data
- Audit-ready reports with traceable data lineage
- Scenario modelling and target-tracking dashboards with advanced reporting capabilities
- Flexible reporting templates for stakeholders and regulators
Why ESG software delivers ROI in Australia
Sustainability reporting software delivers both quantitative and qualitative benefits:
- Compliance with new climate rules avoids fines and risk of greenwashing enforcement by ASIC
- Operational efficiency gains, reducing manual data time and error
- Investor and stakeholder trust, with clearer ESG performance narratives and integration of ESG factors into investment decision-making and reporting
- Access to grants, sustainable finance, and ESG-aligned suppliers
- Employee recruitment and retention benefits, with nearly 40% prioritising sustainability in career choices
- Improved brand reputation, competitive advantage, through measurable ESG commitment
- Transparent ESG reporting builds customer loyalty by fostering trust and accountability with stakeholders
ESG software streamlines the reporting process, automating the collection and analysis of sustainability data to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance. Demonstrating ROI is easier with reliable sustainability data, supporting ESG initiatives as a core part of business transformation.
