The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
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In this article, we break down what the EU CBAM is, how it works, and what businesses need to do to comply.
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COMFORM
The Best ESG Software Companies for UK Businesses in 2026
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By Stephanie Safdie, US Copywriter, on 13/12/2023
Updated by Agnès Potier-Murphy, on 12/08/2026
Picking the right ESG software company can feel like a full-time job in itself — there are dozens of platforms, and it's rarely obvious which one actually fits a UK business's reporting needs.
The key thing to remember is that ESG software is a category of business tools that turns ESG reporting into something structured and repeatable, rather than a one-off project every time a disclosure is due. Verdantix's 2025 research is clear on why adoption keeps rising here even as some compliance pressure has eased: investors, not regulators, are now the main driver.
In this article, we’ll cover:
The difference between ESG software and an ESG ratings agency
Why investor demand, not regulation, is now driving UK adoption
How Workiva, Sweep, Novisto, and Cority stack up against each other
The practical checks worth running before you commit to one
What is ESG software?
ESG software gives a business a one-system solution for tracking its environmental, social, and governance data and turning it into reports.
It's worth distinguishing from an ESG ratings agency — software like this helps a company manage its own data, while a ratings agency (MSCI, for example) scores other companies for investors. Verdantix, an independent analyst firm, frames genuine ESG software as letting companies "collect, analyse and manage ESG information" against both mandatory and voluntary reporting standards.
Think of an app that tracks how many steps you take per day. If you have a goal of how many steps you’d like to take everyday, it is paramount that you keep a log of your current activity in order to develop new ideas to increase your step count. The same goes for any goal, and that’s what ESG software does to help you improve your company’s ESG criteria.
Here's a quick look at how the four platforms covered in this article differ, before we get into the detail:
| Platform | Best for |
|---|---|
|
Workiva
|
Bringing financial and ESG reporting together on one platform |
|
Sweep
|
Carbon-focused data management, with a genuine UK/EU footprint |
|
Novisto
|
An audit-ready ESG record system built for larger companies |
|
Cority
|
Businesses already running EHS software that want ESG built in |
ESG software is used to gather valuable data for companies in regards to ESG, which in turn – can allow them to make improved decisions regarding their resource allocation, efforts to mitigate transition risk, and which policies are most worthwhile to align with their personal goals.
Remember, ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance:
- Environmental – which refers to the factors that could have an impact on the planet, such as with excess emissions, efforts to manage and reduce water usage, mitigate air pollution, and seek to ethically source materials.
- Social – which refers to efforts to implement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices, implement fair working rights, and create a safe and secure workplace for all places in which the business operates.
- Governance – which refers to how a company demonstrates leadership, such as with how business ethics are conveyed, how policies are developed, executed, and followed, audits are completed, and the way in which intellectual property is protected.
ESG data collection and software can help companies ensure that they are implementing all of the possible mechanisms to ensure their environmental, social, governance criteria remains in excellent working condition.
Why is ESG software important?
ESG software is more important than ever before seeing as investors, customers, and stakeholders are learning to utilise all your ESG data from ESG reports when deciding whether to invest their time or money into the company.
This means ESG software is a valuable tool that can be used as a buffer to ensure companies are making the most of every opportunity that comes their way – seeing as ESG software can help companies to remain proactive in their ESG strategy and prevent them from disappointing key stakeholders during pivotal moments of business.
Why ESG Data & Risk Management Are Relevant Today
Here are a few other reasons why ESG software is crucial in today’s world:
- Engaging Stakeholders – It is more difficult than ever to keep key stakeholders engaged, and this is one of the areas where ESG software and improved data management could help – seeing as this tool helps companies to gain insight on issues before diving into a larger one. This provides stakeholders with more opportunities to voice their opinion and feel essential to the company’s direction. That pressure hasn't let up even where regulation has: Verdantix's 2025 research found investor demand alone is driving continued ESG software adoption, independent of shifts in compliance requirements.
- Better Decision Making – Seeing as ESG software allows for greater insight ahead of potential problems with sourcing for materials, production, and how those products or services will affect surrounding communities and the planet. Therefore, ESG software can help companies to better understand how their actions will impact others – and make choices accordingly with this new information. This tracks with wider industry findings — PwC's 2025 Global Sustainability Reporting Survey found that most companies already reporting under CSRD gained real business value from the process itself, not just a completed filing.
- Manage ESG Risks – ESG risks refer to the problems that could arise in a business if a company refuses to acknowledge the impact of their environmental, social, or governance criteria. The good news is that ESG software can help companies to prevent these ESG risks from occurring in the first place, and allow for overall improved sustainability management.
- Improved Chances at Investments – Investors are taking an interest in ESG in order to ensure they commit to sustainable companies that can demonstrate long-term viability and consistent success. This means that opting to use ESG software can help increase the chances at new financial opportunities and resources for your business to grow.
- Practice Reporting for Other Disclosures – With new environmental regulations on the rise, it is becoming essential for companies to familiarise themselves with the importance of clearly delineating their company’s activities in order to comply and demonstrate transparency. Therefore, using ESG software can not only make adhering to future policies easier, but also help companies avoid other predicaments down the road – such as accusations of greenwashing.
Here's a quick recap of what ESG software delivers, at a glance:
| Reason | Benefit to Business |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Compliance | Ensures adherence to ESG-related laws and standards, reducing legal risks and penalties. |
| Improved Investor Relations | Demonstrates transparency and commitment to sustainability, attracting ESG-focused investors. |
| Operational Efficiency | Automates data tracking and reporting, saving time and reducing human errors. |
| Enhanced Brand Reputation | Shows dedication to environmental and social responsibility, improving public perception. |
| Risk Management | Identifies and mitigates ESG-related risks before they impact business performance. |
| Cost Savings | Optimises resource use and energy efficiency, leading to financial savings over time. |
| Competitive Advantage | Positions the company as a leader in sustainability, differentiating from competitors. |
Ultimately, ESG software is becoming a vital tool to help companies not only grow more aware of their current impact across ESG criteria – but to help them grow their business.
Our Top 4 ESG Softwares
Workiva
Workiva runs a dedicated UK platform and was named a Leader in Verdantix's inaugural Green Quadrant for ESG Reporting and Data Management Software. European clients including Equinor and Bolt already use it to bring financial and sustainability reporting together on one system.
Because Workiva applies the same audit-ready rigour to ESG data as it does to statutory financial filings, it's a natural fit for listed companies juggling multiple disclosure regimes at once.
Sweep
Sweep is dual-headquartered in Paris and London, and structures its platform around three pillars: Track, Disclose, Act.
Sweep was named a Leader in the 2026 Verdantix Green Quadrant and the IDC MarketScape for carbon and sustainability management. It automates Scope 1, 2, and 3 tracking, supports CSRD and GHG Protocol disclosure, and includes supplier engagement tools for value-chain data — for more carbon-specific options, see our top carbon management software roundup.
Novisto
Novisto positions itself as a "system of record" for ESG data — built for companies that want the same audit trail and traceability on sustainability data as they already have on financial data.
Novisto recently acquired Minimum, a London-based carbon management firm, specifically to strengthen its support for the UK's own Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) alongside CSRD. It supports SASB, GRI, and CDP reporting too, with AI-powered peer benchmarking built in.
Cority
Cority's EHS+ platform brings environmental, health and safety, quality, and sustainability data together in one place, used by over 1,500 organisations worldwide.
Cority was named a Leader in Verdantix's 2025 Green Quadrant for both EHS Software and ESG & Sustainability Reporting Software, and its Paris-based sustainability consultants work directly with clients across the EU on CSRD compliance. Its platform tracks Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and generates disclosures aligned with CDP, GRI, SASB, TCFD, and CSRD.
Cority tends to suit companies in industrial or high-compliance sectors — manufacturing, chemicals, energy — that want ESG reporting built into existing safety and compliance workflows. See our 5 key capabilities of sustainability software for more on how this fits into the wider category.
How can you pick the best ESG software for your business?
Finding the best ESG software to help with ESG data management for your business requires your company taking the time to decide upon your personal ESG goals and which assets of the ESG software or technology are most vital to you when seeking out this service.
At the end of the day, picking the ESG software most appropriate for your business will come down to your personal preferences – meaning it is important to scope out all of the niche services each ESG software has to offer.
Tips to Pick the Right ESG Reporting Software Platforms For Your Company
Here are some things to consider when choosing an ESG software service:
- Define Your ESG Needs and Objectives – It is important to set clear ESG goals, otherwise – it will be difficult to communicate what you are looking for to potential ESG software candidates. This could include wanting actionable insights, audit ready data, or helping to streamline data collection for sustainability reports.
- Assess Critical ESG Areas – Seeking to collect data and information on each component of your current ESG strategy (in order to determine which areas could use the most improvement) can help you to better decide which ESG reporting platform or software may be most appropriate to help your company improve or ensure improved compliance management.
- Data Quality & Accuracy – Your company can, and should, check with the ESG software directly to learn if they are capable of both quantitative and qualitative data. This way, you can narrow down your choices to only seek an ESG software company that has the type of data collection you’re looking for – helping to make your ESG disclosures, ESG efforts, and ESG initiatives stronger.
- Shop Smartly & Read Customer Reviews – Whatever you’re purchasing, it’s always a smart move as a consumer to read the reviews of other customers – especially in the case of ESG software in order to decide if other customers found their data calculations worthy of its price tag.
- Make a Checklist of Non-Negotiable Features – Just like shopping for a new laptop or pair of shoes, it’s helpful to make a list of what you’re looking for in a product – in this case, new ESG software. Common features companies may not be able to compromise include user-friendliness, automated data collection, and assistance with stakeholder engagement.
- Data Security – While data quality and accuracy are essential to make true progress in your ESG goals, data security is equally as important. Therefore, it is paramount to verify how your potential ESG software plans to utilise verification methods and keep your information secure.
- User Friendly Experience – An ESG software may be decked out with all of the latest technology and data security measures in place, but ultimately – it will render useless if none of your employees or business partners can easily use it. This is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when seeking a new ESG software.
- Seek a Demo Before Buying – There’s a reason why clothing stores have fitting rooms – trying out a product before you buy it can save you from the hassle of needing to back out later down the road, and the same goes for ESG softwares. If your potential ESG software offers a demo or trial period, take them up on their offer – it may end up before the ESG software of your dreams. If not, at least you’ll know for sure you made the right choice for your company!
Overall, choosing the right ESG software for your company is pivotal in ensuring your company remains transparent and accountable towards their ESG goals – and we hope that our top 4 ESG software choices can help make your decision a little easier.
Frequently asked questions about the best ESG softwares
What is the best ESG software for UK businesses?
It depends on what your business needs to report. Workiva suits companies combining financial and ESG reporting, Sweep and Novisto are strong general-purpose ESG data platforms with genuine UK/EU grounding, and Cority fits industrial or high-compliance sectors already running EHS software.
Are ESG software companies the same as ESG rating agencies?
No — this is a common mix-up. ESG software helps a company manage and report its own ESG data. Rating agencies like MSCI assess other companies' ESG performance for investors. If you're choosing a tool to run your own reporting, you want ESG software, not a ratings provider.
What is the UK's equivalent to the EU's CSRD?
The UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS), published by the Department for Business and Trade in February 2026. They're currently voluntary, with the FCA consulting on mandatory requirements expected to apply from January 2027. UK SRS and CSRD are separate frameworks, not the same standard under two names.
Which ESG software companies are recognised by independent analysts?
Workiva, Sweep, Novisto, and Cority are all named Leaders or highly-rated in Verdantix's 2025–2026 Green Quadrant reports. Which one suits you best depends on whether you need financial-reporting integration, carbon depth, audit-ready recordkeeping, or existing EHS ties — covered in the comparison above.
What about Greenly?
If reading this article about our top 4 ESG softwares has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!
Seeking to understand the pros and cons of an ESG software can be challenging, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help! Click here to book a demo and get personalised expertise on how you can start to reduce your own emissions and decrease your environmental impact.
Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.
Founded in Paris, we offer services to help you monitor, measure, and reduce your scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions – alongside special services to assist you in greater endeavors, such as complying with the CSRD or the UK's own emerging Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS).
In fact, Greenly pioneered ESG Connect – an entire community dedicated towards creating a network for members to further expand their ESG knowledge and later utilize their new connections for future improvements in ESG.
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