Sustainability isn't just good for the planet, it's smart for business, too. It can help you cut costs, spark innovation, and build a strong brand that attracts top talent and loyal customers.

As the business case grows stronger, more and more companies are leveraging sustainability management tools to keep their environmental impacts in check.

Normative is a well-known player in the field, but it's not the only option available. Let's dive into what Normative has to offer and explore five interesting Normative alternatives that might better align with your company's specific sustainability goals.

What is Normative?

Founded in 2014, Normative is a carbon accounting engine that helps businesses understand their emissions across their entire value chain. 

The platform streamlines data collection and calculations, visualizes emissions hotspots, and simplifies sustainability reporting for regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR).

Why do businesses choose Normative?

Many businesses opt for Normative due to its user-friendly platform and intuitive design. The software offers helpful customization options and straightforward reporting features, making it easier for companies to adapt their carbon accounting to specific needs. 

Additionally, reliable customer support adds value to the overall experience, making Normative a practical choice for those looking to manage and reduce their carbon footprints.

How we chose the best Normative alternatives

To select the best alternatives to Normative, we conducted thorough research to evaluate each platform based on key criteria:

Emissions tracking
Does the platform cover Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for a complete carbon footprint analysis?

Compliance
Does it align with key frameworks like the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ESRS, and other regulatory requirements?

Reporting capabilities
How well does it streamline reporting and reduce manual effort?

Data integration
Can it pull in relevant emissions data from different sources and integrate seamlessly with existing systems?

Platform interface
Is the platform intuitive and easy to use for various teams across a company?

These criteria also helped us determine which platforms speak to companies in specific industries, of a certain size, or with more complex setups. Overall, we think there’s a strong list of platforms that not only match Normative’s capabilities but may even be better suited for specific business needs.

The top 5 Normative alternatives compared

Now that we know what Normative has to offer, let’s take a look at some interesting Normative alternatives that could be a better match for your business.

1. Coolset

As the authors of this comparison, we want to be transparent about the inclusion of Coolset on this list. While there are plenty of tools for sustainability management, we believe Coolset is a top choice for mid-sized businesses looking to comply with the EU’s new CSRD and take control of their carbon footprint.

Coolset is a leading sustainability management and compliance software tailored specifically for mid-market companies. Whether you’re looking to comply with the CSRD or track your emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), Coolset has all the layers you need to run your sustainability agenda.

Website: www.coolset.com 

Best for: Mid-market companies looking for a complete sustainability management and compliance solution.

Key features:

• Double materiality assessment guidance
• Audit-proof reporting
• CSRD and ESRS compliance
• Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions tracking
• Target setting and forecasting
• Sustainable alternatives marketplace

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2. Persefoni

Founded in 2020, Persefoni is a comprehensive Climate Management & Accounting Platform (CMAP) based out of Arizona. The software helps businesses and financial institutions manage their carbon emissions and meet climate-related regulatory requirements with ease. 

The AI-powered platform provides a single source of truth, enabling organizations to manage carbon emissions with the same level of confidence as financial transactions.

Website: www.persefoni.com 

Best for: Enterprises and financial institutions 

Key features:

• Carbon footprint measurement & analytics
• Stakeholder and regulatory emissions reporting
• Decarbonization management
• Scope 3 supplier engagement
• Portfolio company engagement

3. Greenly

Headquartered in Paris, Greenly is a climate tech company that helps businesses measure, reduce, and offset their carbon emissions in line with the GHGP. Its carbon accounting platform automates data collection and carbon analytics through integrations with 100+ enterprise softwares, including corporate travel, electricity vendors, and more.

Website: www.greenly.earth 

Best for: Companies of all sizes across sectors like Manufacturing, Tech & IT, Finance, and Professional services. 

Key features:

• Carbon footprint measurement
• Supplier engagement
• Customized action plans
• Carbon offset projects
• Reporting in line with major standards
• Sustainable procurement

4. Emitwise

Born in London, Emitwise is a carbon management software that helps companies with complex supply chains understand, track, and reduce their emissions. 

By increasing the accuracy of Scope 3 emissions tracking, the platform empowers manufacturing companies–the third most carbon-intensive industry–to reduce risk, boost profit, and achieve their climate goals.

Website: www.emitwise.com 

Best for: Enterprises with complex manufacturing supply chains

Key features:

• Automated data management
• Financial-grade carbon accounting
• Intelligent emission factor selection
• Transparent audit trails
• Supply chain decarbonization
• Sustainable procurement

5. SmartTrackers

Founded in 2010, SmartTrackers is a Dutch sustainability software that helps businesses improve their sustainability performance. Companies can accurately identify and calculate their environmental impact, actively manage improvements, and easily prepare and submit reports in line with leading environmental standards.

 Website: www.smarttrackers.nl/en 

Best for: Organizations of all sizes including small-to-medium enterprises, multinationals, construction companies, governments, and financial institutions.

Key features:

• Carbon footprint measurement
• KPI management
• Sustainability assessments
• Compliance with a wide range of sustainability standards
• Actionable insights

6. Normative

To get the complete picture, here’s a breakdown of Normative to round off the list. Founded in 2014, Normative is a carbon accounting engine designed to help businesses track and reduce emissions across their entire value chain.

By streamlining data collection, automating emissions calculations, and simplifying sustainability reporting, the platform helps companies comply with regulations like the CSRD and SECR. Its structured approach makes it particularly suited for enterprises with complex reporting needs or regulatory obligations.

Website: www.normative.io

Best for: Larger entities prioritizing compliance and audit-ready carbon reporting.

Key features:

• Automated carbon footprint calculations
• Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions tracking
• Compliance with CSRD, SECR, and other regulations
• Visualized emissions hotspots
• Customizable reporting tools

Why Coolset is your best bet for sustainability management and compliance

We hope this list of Normative alternatives has helped in your decision-making process. 

While the above tools no doubt offer some valuable features, we believe Coolset stands out as a top solution for mid-market companies looking for a complete sustainability management and compliance solution. 

Whether you're looking to track emissions across all scopes, switch to more sustainable vendors, or navigate the complexities of CSRD compliance, our platform provides the tools and guidance you need for every step of your sustainability journey.

Ready to see how Coolset can transform your sustainability efforts? Try our interactive demo today or book a free personalized walkthrough to explore how our tool can meet your specific needs.