Eco Current reviewed a sustainability software platform and, on 17 January 2026, declined to list it. The team could not verify environmental focus, data rigour or human impact because essential information was missing. Our bar is simple: if a product claims to cut emissions, it must show its working and allow others to check it.

Transparency is not optional. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority’s Green Claims Code expects environmental statements to be clear, truthful and substantiated. That principle aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol from the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which provides the common rules forScope 1–3 accounting.

What we expect at a minimum is a plain‑language methodology. Boundaries should be defined, baselines dated, scopes separated, and the calculation pathway from activity data to tonnes of CO2e explained step by step. Platforms should state which emissions factors they use, cite the source and version, and set out how often these will be updated.

Independent assurance strengthens trust. An accredited third party providing limited or reasonable assurance under ISO 14064‑3 or ISAE 3000 gives buyers confidence that figures are not merely self‑certified. Where life‑cycle claims are made, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 principles should guide the work and the practitioner should be named.

Impact must be real, not hypothetical. We look for reductions delivered within an organisation’s operations or value chain, distinct from ‘emissions avoided’ claims that rely on counterfactuals. The Science Based Targets initiative offers a useful test: targets should align with credible decarbonisation pathways and, where value‑chain emissions are material, include Scope 3.

The human story matters. Climate solutions that ignore workers, suppliers and communities fall short of sustainability. Platforms should explain how they assess labour standards, community consultation and environmental justice risks, referencing recognised guidance such as International Labour Organization conventions or due‑diligence frameworks.

Data quality determines whether action scales. Primary data from meters and invoices should be distinguished from estimates or industry averages. If artificial intelligence is used to infer numbers or score performance, the training data, limitations and error rates should be stated, and users given a route to challenge outputs.

For prospective buyers, the ask is firm but fair. Request a methodology document you can share internally, a sample dataset with masked yet traceable inputs and outputs, an assurance letter naming the standard applied, and at least two case studies with baselines, interventions and measured results over time.

Today’s decision is not a door closed. Should the company provide adequate documentation and independent checks, we will reassess and update this review. Eco Current champions practical climate solutions, and transparent evidence is the fastest way to earn a place on our list.