GHG software: Greenstone

The environmentalist examines the carbon accounting solution offered by Greenstone

Greenstone recognises that non-financial reporting can present strategic and practical challenges, so it aims to make the process easier and clearer for its clients. Its enterprise-level software is audit-ready, easy to use and covers environment, health and safety, CSR frameworks and supply chains.

In addition, it has a team of industry experts who support and advise its clients at every step of their reporting journey; helping to make sense of their data and enabling them to move beyond reporting towards real and informed decision making to improve their business.

The environment module enables clients to upload data from a wide range of business activities covering energy, waste, water, travel, freight and supply chains. The data is processed automatically by Greenstone to calculate the associated GHG emissions using various national and international frameworks, meeting regulatory and voluntary reporting schemes including: GRI, CDP, the carbon reduction commitment and mandatory reporting in the UK.

Greenstone supports clients across 94 countries of varying levels of size and complexity. The commonality amoung them is that the software enables data to be uploaded easily from multiple sources in a transparent and auditable way; moving their focus away from data management to analysis, informed decision making and ultimately achieving meaningful savings in carbon, consumption and cost for their organisation.

More information at: greenstoneplus.com/+44 (0)20 3031 4000.

This system is suitable for different sized organisations and is relatively simple to use. It has been designed to work equally well with tablets and phones, so it’s good for mobile data entry. Data can be imported manually or directly from equipment, such as half-hourly meters. Thresholds for data error are included, together with quality indicators allowing you to say if data are estimated. A full audit log is available to export, alongside standard dashboards and reports, and the system also supports customisation. Pages can be “pinned” to the homepage to simplify navigation for those using only certain domains. Greenstone also provides other modules, such as safety and health. The system’s Windows 8 design may not appeal to all users.

Reviewers’ comments:

“For those looking for a comprehensive piece of software with all the essential functions and a smart user interface – this is it.”

“Easy to use and has good functionality. It has a nice traffic light system to illustrate performance in meeting carbon targets.”

“The combination of interface, functionality, customer service and price makes this a whole-round package. This one impressed me most.”