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Carbon accounting software for cloud providers

Plan A provides a certified carbon accounting software for the software & IT industry and the personal support of leading experts to enable cloud providers to streamline carbon management, align with regulations, and reach net-zero emissions

The opportunity

Gain a competitive advantage through decarbonisation

67%
Higher return
Companies that disclose environmental data and pursue ambitious emissions reduction targets have a 67% higher ROI on investment.
Source: CDP
60%
Investor pressure
Majority of investors say they will increase their investments in companies that prioritise sustainability over the next five years.
Source: McKinsey
5.6%
Competitive advantage
Companies with science-based reduction targets outperform their peers by 5.6% in terms of shareholder returns.
Source: CDP

Calculate your emissions in line with the latest scientific standards to ensure greater accuracy

Simplify data collection across all your teams and suppliers
Calculate your emissions following the latest scientific standards for greater accuracy
Deepen the analysis of your data with customisable dashboards and charts

Drive decarbonisation with the power of science

Set science-based targets to reduce your emissions
Leverage tailored actions for an effective decarbonisation plan
Forecast future emissions and cost risks to stay on track

Receive support for every stage of your CSRD journey

Manage all your emissions for your E1 disclosures
Benefit from personalised services such as conducting a gap analysis and reporting readiness assessment
Grow your expertise through digital or personal learning opportunities

Key information on carbon accounting software for cloud providers

Why should cloud providers do carbon accounting?

Cloud providers should engage in carbon accounting to measure and reduce their environmental impact, align with regulatory requirements, and strengthen stakeholder trust.

Firstly, cloud providers are significant consumers of energy due to the massive data centres they operate, making it vital to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions effectively. By engaging in carbon accounting, these companies can identify primary sources of emissions within their operations, which is crucial for setting and achieving reduction targets. This proactive approach not only reduces energy waste but also leads to operational efficiencies and cost savings.

Secondly, the regulatory landscape is increasingly demanding transparent reporting on climate-related performance, especially in regions with stringent climate policies. Cloud providers must comply with these mandates to maintain their operational licences and avoid potential legal penalties. Proper carbon accounting ensures they meet these requirements, enhancing their reputation and appealing to environmentally conscious clients and investors.

Finally, carbon accounting builds trust with stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability. By providing transparent data on their carbon footprint, cloud providers can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, improving their brand image. This transparency not only meets the demands of investors and customers but also prepares the company for future regulations and the global shift towards greener practices.

Benefits cloud providers have to implement a carbon accounting software

Implementing carbon accounting software provides cloud providers with an efficient means to manage and reduce their carbon emissions, enhancing compliance and operational transparency.

Cloud providers can greatly benefit from automating carbon measurement and management, as large-scale data centres require substantial energy consumption monitoring. This software reduces the manual burden of collating vast data streams from various operations, ensuring more precise tracking of emissions. By integrating effortlessly with existing systems, cloud providers can gain real-time insights, enabling swift adjustments to operational procedures to minimise their carbon footprint.

With ever-increasing regulatory pressures, incorporating robust carbon accounting solutions helps cloud providers align with global environmental frameworks such as the GHG Protocol. Accurate emissions tracking through these systems not only ensures compliance but also mitigates the risk of facing penalties associated with regulatory failures. Moreover, these tools support transparent reporting, reinforcing trust and accountability with stakeholders, including customers increasingly aware of environmental impacts.

Advanced analytical tools offered by carbon accounting software enhance the strategic planning capabilities of cloud providers. By setting and monitoring clear emission reduction targets, they can track progress towards sustainability goals more effectively. Detailed reporting enhances decision-making and showcases a commitment to environmental responsibility, offering a significant competitive advantage in a market where sustainability increasingly influences consumer decisions.

How does Plan A's software help cloud providers do carbon accounting?

Plan A's software aids cloud providers in carbon accounting by streamlining emissions calculations, enhancing data accuracy, and supporting decarbonisation efforts aligned with regulatory standards.

For cloud providers, the software centralises emissions data from varied sources, such as data centres and networking equipment, allowing for efficient calculations of carbon footprints. This comprehensive platform identifies emissions hotspots, enabling cloud providers to target critical areas like energy consumption and cooling processes within their vast server infrastructure. By aligning with the latest scientific and regulatory standards, Plan A ensures precise emissions reporting that meets industry expectations.

Moreover, the software simplifies the data collection process, which is often complex for cloud providers due to the scale and diversity of their operations. It facilitates the integration of data from different teams and suppliers onto a secure, unified dashboard. This approach not only streamlines reporting but also ensures the consistent application of emissions data across all levels of the organisation, enhancing overall data integrity.

Finally, Plan A assists cloud providers in setting science-based decarbonisation targets and provides customised pathways to achieve these goals. Through advanced emissions forecasting and tailored action plans, it aids providers in reducing emissions effectively while mitigating associated costs. This strategic support ensures that cloud providers remain competitive and compliant, fostering progress towards achieving net-zero emissions targets in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

How does carbon accounting software help cloud providers reduce emissions?

Carbon accounting software provides cloud providers with the tools they need to effectively measure, reduce, and manage their carbon emissions.

Firstly, cloud providers can leverage carbon accounting software to gain a comprehensive understanding of their carbon footprint by accurately measuring and analysing emissions from their vast data centres and related infrastructure. This detailed insight allows them to identify major sources of emissions, particularly those that stem from energy consumption and hardware utilisation, thereby enabling them to prioritise these areas for emission reduction efforts. By understanding these specifics, cloud providers can allocate resources more efficiently, targeting high-impact areas for improvement in their operations and supply chains.

Additionally, the software facilitates targeted actions by offering advanced analytics and modelling tools that simulate various emission reduction scenarios. For instance, cloud providers can assess the impact of shifting towards renewable energy sources or enhancing the energy efficiency of their data centres. Through scenario simulation, they can strategise cost-effective initiatives, set tangible reduction targets, and track progress to ensure alignment with their sustainability goals, thus making the transition to greener operations both economically viable and environmentally impactful.

Finally, the continuous monitoring capabilities of carbon accounting software are crucial for cloud providers to maintain compliance with regulations and uphold accountability. By providing real-time data and automated reporting, the software helps track emissions performance, swiftly identifying deviations from targets. This ongoing monitoring ensures that cloud providers are not just meeting current standards but are also fostering a culture of continuous improvement, which is essential for achieving sustained emissions reductions and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.

A certified platform combining cutting-edge technology and the latest scientific standards

GHG Protocol compliant & TÜV Rheinland certified
Listed as Global top 5% in B Corp "Governance"
Committed to Science-based targets and The Climate Pledge
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