In 2026, US companies doing business in California will be mandated to report their climate risks and GHG emissions for the first time. The California Climate Rules, SB 253 (emissions reporting) and SB 261 (climate risk reporting), collectively SB 219, are the US’s first climate disclosure regulations, and deadlines are approaching fast.
Although a court injunction paused the due date of January 1, 2026 for SB 261, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued an enforcement notice stating SB 253 compliance remains unaffected – meaning companies will still be expected to report their Scope 1 and 2 emissions on August 10, 2026.
So, if your company is on CARB’s preliminary list of companies in scope for SB 253 (keeping in mind that this list is not exhaustive – companies should independently assess coverage), you should start working with an expert today to avoid misstatements, simplify compliance, and avoid penalties of up to $500,000 per year and other reputational risks.
The comprehensive list below outlines 10 of the best software and consulting companies to ensure you have an emissions report by 2026’s August deadline.
Why Working with Emissions Reporting Software is Essential for SB 253 Compliance
With compliance deadlines approaching and high penalties for non-compliance, not reporting or providing an incomplete Scope 1 and 2 report is a huge risk in 2026.
To help companies prepare for SB 253, CARB has released a template (optional to use) to align their emissions reporting with the law’s requirements.
However, many companies are turning to GHG accounting software and climate consultants for:
- Simple data collection and calculation: Software platforms and climate experts streamline the process of identifying relevant emissions activity data and automatically calculate and store it, simplifying reporting and assurance.
- Framework alignment: Companies unfamiliar with the GHG Protocol data collection, calculation, and reporting requirements, on which the California rules are based, need help aligning their data collection and reporting with them.
- Carbon accounting and data systems: Collecting and calculating emissions is difficult, especially for companies with little experience. Software-enabled consultants are key here, especially since a third party must audit the emissions in 2027.
- Assurance readiness: SB 253 advises companies to obtain limited assurance under ISSA 5000 or similar standards in 2026, and in 2027, it will become a requirement. Companies must engage a third party to conduct their audit, but many will also need a separate third party to ensure their emissions are audit-ready.
Choosing the right consulting partner can ensure your company meets reporting requirements ahead of the August 10, 2026 deadline and that their reporting is audit-ready.
What to Look For in a Climate Disclosure Consultant & Software
There are so many firms offering assistance with SB 253 compliance. It’s hard to know where to go. These four factors are signs that your consultant can ensure compliance in 2026 and beyond:
- Experience with emissions and climate risk reporting: Pick a firm that is a one-stop shop for both climate risks (SB 261) and emissions, as there is significant overlap, and that will streamline the process.
- California compliance expertise: Familiarity with CARB guidance and experience helping other companies comply with the rules. As well as previous experience working with the frameworks CARB built their reporting rules on, the TCFD, ISSB S2, and GHG Protocol.
- Scalable software + consulting model: Companies that combine consultants with software deliver the best of both worlds. Software accelerates and simplifies data collection and calculation, while human expertise ensures accuracy and walks you through the process.
- Assurance readiness: Knowledge of auditor expectations and existing partnerships that help reporters ensure their data is audit-ready ahead of the 2027 requirement. Because of a conflict of interest, CARB does not allow companies to report and provide assurance services for the same company.
The 10 Best SB 253 Consulting Firms to Watch in 2026
1. Good.Lab
Good.Lab is a California-based sustainability consulting and software firm helping mid-market and enterprise companies comply with California’s new climate disclosure laws.
With deep expertise in carbon accounting across Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, climate risk, and data management aligned with all relevant CARB frameworks (TCFD, ISSB, GHG Protocol), Good.Lab’s Climate Regulation Solution offers turn-key compliance support. They also work closely with assurance partners to ensure emissions reporting is audit-ready.
Clients highlight Good.Lab’s pragmatic, right-sized approach that meets companies where they are and guides them toward compliance.
2. Workiva Carbon
Workiva Carbon, formerly Sustain.Life, is a widely adopted platform for integrated financial and sustainability reporting, making it a strong fit for SB 253’s assurance-focused requirements. Its unified workspace allows companies to consolidate emissions data to build CARB-aligned disclosures and maintain version-controlled documentation that auditors can easily verify.
They offer emissions inventories across Scope 1, 2, and 3 with a focus on using AI to streamline emissions factor selection and data integrity for audit-readiness.
3. Watershed
Watershed provides enterprise-grade carbon accounting, climate risk assessments, and a guaranteed audit readiness program across Scope 1, 2, and 3. Its AI-enabled platform enables companies to collect, measure, and manage emissions data at a granular level and prepare CARB-ready disclosures in line with SB 253.
They have built-in audit trails and partnerships with several major assurance providers, as well as AI-accelerated climate risk reporting. Making Watershed a popular choice for companies seeking compliance across California’s climate rules.
4. ERM
ERM combines consulting with digital tools purpose-built for regulated climate disclosure. Their software supports emissions measurement and disclosure, making it well-suited for SB 253’s reporting and assurance needs.
Unlike pure software vendors, ERM offers a hybrid model that integrates advisory support with implementation. Companies seeking hands-on guidance and technology to operationalize reporting often turn to ERM. They also have a host of partners they work with for preparing for the 2027 assurance.
5. Sphera
Sphera is a leader in sustainability data management platforms and consulting. Its platform integrates LCA (life cycle assessment), EHS data, Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, and regulatory reporting into one system, making it ideal for companies that need to prepare for compliance across California’s Climate Rules.
For SB 253, Sphera’s strengths are its detailed emissions factors libraries, audit-ready documentation, and ability to connect facility-level data to corporate reporting. Companies with global footprints or complex processes often choose Sphera for its technical depth.
6. Cority
Cority offers a robust sustainability and environmental health management suite that includes strong carbon accounting capabilities, audit-ready documentation, and cross-functional workflow tools. It is particularly well-suited for companies that want climate reporting integrated with broader compliance, health, and safety initiatives.
For SB 253, Cority helps companies track Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, manage supplier data, and prepare for assurance on its AI-driven platform.
7. Salesforce Net Zero Cloud
Salesforce Net Zero Cloud offers an integrated sustainability platform that helps companies track, manage, and report Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions using the same workflows they already rely on for other functions.
Salesforce’s strength is in AI-driven automation: pulling emissions data from other business systems, supplier uploads, and activity-level records, creating a single system of record that can automatically generate compliant, audit-ready reports. Ideal for compliance with SB 253.
8. Plan A
Plan A is a European carbon accounting platform that helps companies measure, analyze, and report their corporate carbon footprint. Making it a strong fit for SB 253’s emphasis on accurate, verifiable Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reporting. The platform offers a one-click carbon footprint report, automated calculations aligned with the GHG Protocol.
For SB 253, Plan A’s strength lies in its ability to generate assurance-grade emissions data instantly and to serve as a platform for engaging with suppliers for future Scope 3 reporting.
9. Deloitte GreenLight
Deloitte’s GreenLight platform is an end-to-end, machine-learning-enabled emissions data ingestion platform that helps companies consolidate climate and sustainability data into a single system of record for reporting and assurance. For SB 253, GreenLight supports Scope 1, 2, and 3 calculations and audit-ready reporting.
The platform, combined with Deloitte’s consulting and assurance capabilities, makes GreenLight a powerful option for companies that want technology tightly integrated with advisory support.
10. Sweep
Sweep is a European sustainability platform that enables companies to measure Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions with an AI-assisted GHG Protocol-aligned workflow. Ensuring they are prepared for reporting and assurance in line with SB 253.
Sweep also helps streamline Scope 3 supplier outreach, simplifying compliance.
Get Emissions Reporting Ready with Good.Lab
With the first reporting deadlines in early 2026, California’s climate rules will soon reshape the corporate disclosure landscape in the U.S.
To ensure you are ready for this change, Good.Lab offers a complete suite of services and software to help companies comply confidently — from audit-ready emissions data management to climate risk reporting.
Schedule your California climate reporting readiness assessment today →
