7 Best Sustainability Management Software Tools Compliant with the CSRD

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) marks a turning point in how European companies must measure, manage and communicate their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact.

Starting in 2025, thousands of organisations will be required to publish verified information under the ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards).

To meet these requirements, spreadsheets and scattered reports are no longer sufficient: companies need tools capable of automating data collection, centralising evidence and generating auditable reports while ensuring the level of traceability demanded by regulation.

In this article, we explore the best sustainability management software solutions compliant with the CSRD and explain how to choose the most suitable tool.

What is the CSRD and how does it transform sustainability reporting?

The CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) is the new European directive replacing the former NFRD and expanding non-financial reporting obligations. It affects all large companies — listed or not — and gradually also SMEs within the supply chain.

Its objective is clear: sustainability must reach the same level of transparency and verifiability as financial information. This means companies must report their environmental, social and governance impacts according to the ESRS, backed by verifiable data and a coherent methodology.

Key changes include:

• Standardised reporting following ESRS standards (E1–E5, S1–S4, G1).
• Mandatory external audits of sustainability information.
• Double materiality, assessing both the company’s impact on the environment and the environment’s impact on the company.
• Digitalisation, requiring data to be submitted in XHTML format and tagged with XBRL.

This makes sustainability software an essential ally for automating processes, ensuring traceability and reducing compliance risks.

Why is sustainability management software essential to comply with the CSRD?

Complying with the CSRD is not simply about producing an annual report: it requires building a sustainability data governance system with integrated, verifiable and updatable flows.

A good software tool should allow you to:

• Centralise environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators.
• Integrate data on energy, emissions, water, waste, suppliers and finance.
• Automate information collection across departments and subsidiaries.
• Align reporting with ESRS, GRI, SASB or TCFD standards.
• Generate audit-ready reports for external verification.

To understand how cascading regulation will affect your business, we recommend reading our article: CSRD for SMEs: how cascading regulation will impact your supply chain in 2025.

What criteria should you consider when choosing CSRD-compliant sustainability software?

Choosing the right software will determine the efficiency, reliability and credibility of your reporting.

Below are the six essential criteria you should evaluate before making a decision:

• Regulatory compliance: compatibility with ESRS, GRI, TCFD and the EU Taxonomy.
• Data centralisation: ability to integrate indicators from multiple departments (energy, finance, HR, procurement, etc.).
• Traceability and verification: tracking of data sources, metadata and automatic audit trails.
• Automation and scalability: bulk data import from ERP or internal systems.
• Usability and visualisation: clear dashboards, guided workflows and reporting tailored to different audiences.
• Technical support and total cost: including licences, maintenance and training.

Which is the best sustainability management software for the CSRD?

Choosing the right software to comply with the CSRD is key to ensuring reliable, traceable and ESRS-aligned reporting.

Below, we review the main solutions on the market and explain why Manglai stands out as the most comprehensive option for integrated sustainability management.

1. Manglai: Integrated management and simplified CSRD reporting

Manglai is designed for companies that need a unified tool to calculate, analyse and report their sustainability performance in line with CSRD requirements.

The platform combines technical accuracy with ease of use, offering an intuitive environment that simplifies the management of environmental, social and governance data.

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Thanks to its modular design, it enables the integration of carbon footprint measurement, water consumption, waste generation and other ESG indicators within a single system, automatically generating reports aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

Its main advantages include:

• Guided workflows following the ESRS E1–E5, S1–S4 and G1 categories.
• Automated calculation of environmental footprint indicators.
• Integration with the EU Taxonomy and Science Based Targets objectives.
• Audit-ready reports, exportable in XHTML/XBRL formats.
• A visual dashboard to communicate progress and risks effectively.

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Manglai is the ideal option for sustainability teams that need to report under the CSRD without relying on external consultancies and with full traceability.

2. Workiva

Workiva is one of the leading platforms for integrated reporting (financial + sustainability), as it allows data to be connected from multiple sources and generates reports in XBRL format, meeting the technical requirements of the CSRD. It is the ideal tool for large corporations with consolidated financial reporting.

Strengths: automation, combined financial and non-financial reporting.‍

Considerations: high cost and complexity for SMEs.

3. Enablon (Wolters Kluwer)

Enablon offers specific modules for environmental risks, occupational health and regulatory compliance.

Its strength lies in risk management and regulatory traceability, making it a strong choice for companies with complex industrial operations.

Advantages: scalability, risk management, EHS integration.‍

Considerations: more technical interface, requires advanced implementation.

4. Sphera Sustainability Platform

Sphera enables the management of environmental data as well as social and governance indicators. It is aligned with GRI, CDP and CSRD, and stands out for its technical depth and ISO validation, making it a perfect tool for organisations with a high level of ESG maturity.

Advantages: methodological robustness, integrated audits, global coverage.‍

Considerations: steep learning curve and high cost.

5. Datamaran

Datamaran uses artificial intelligence to identify ESG risks and generate materiality maps, simplifying compliance with the CSRD’s double materiality principle. It is ideal for sustainability and corporate compliance departments.

Advantages: risk analysis, dynamic materiality, integration with financial reporting.‍

Considerations: designed primarily for large corporations.

6. Plan A

Plan A combines carbon footprint calculation, reduction target setting and ESG reporting. Its CSRD module facilitates automated ESRS-based reports with direct exports, making it ideal for European companies undergoing digitalisation of their climate management processes.

Advantages: intuitive interface, regulatory alignment, visual reporting.‍

Considerations: focused mainly on environmental data, limited social coverage.

7. Persefoni

Persefoni is one of the benchmark platforms for carbon accounting and regulated reporting (SEC, CSRD, TCFD). Its integration with financial ERPs and strong methodological rigour make it a premium choice for corporations with net-zero or carbon neutrality goals.

Advantages: advanced automation, regulatory precision, international support.‍

Considerations: high cost and the need for technical consulting.

How to implement a CSRD-compliant sustainability reporting system step by step

Implementing a sustainability reporting system aligned with the CSRD requires planning, internal coordination and a clear methodology. It is not just about gathering data—it is about building a continuous process of measurement, validation and improvement.

Below are the essential steps to implement a reporting system aligned with the ESRS standards and ensure full traceability of information:

• Initial diagnosis: identify gaps in your current ESG reporting.
• Double materiality assessment: prioritise topics based on impact and dependency.
• Software selection: evaluate ESRS compatibility and automation capabilities.
• Data integration: connect internal sources (energy, finance, HR, suppliers).
• Indicator calculation: use automated modules for emissions, water, waste and social risks.
• Validation and audit: generate verifiable reports for external review.
• Communication: adapt results for different audiences (management, investors, stakeholders).

If your company is starting this process, we recommend reading our article on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): How to assess the environmental impact of a product to understand how to integrate environmental footprint into CSRD reporting.

From compliance to sustainable leadership

The CSRD is not just an obligation — it is an opportunity to professionalise sustainability management and turn data into strategic decisions.

Choosing the right software makes the difference between mere formal compliance and achieving a competitive advantage based on transparency, efficiency and credibility.

Among all the options on the market, Manglai stands out for its balance of methodological rigour, automation and accessibility, bringing together in a single platform the entire workflow of measurement, analysis and reporting under European standards.

If you want to simplify your transition to CSRD compliance, request a demo of Manglai and discover how to manage your sustainability data with precision, traceability and confidence.

FAQs about Choosing the best CSRD-compliant sustainability management software

What is the difference between ESG software and CSRD software?

ESG software manages general sustainability indicators, while CSRD software is specifically aligned with the ESRS, ensuring traceability, XBRL formats and audit-ready evidence.

Is software mandatory for CSRD compliance?

Not explicitly, but it is practically essential to meet the technical and audit requirements demanded by the directive.

How can I verify that a tool is aligned with the ESRS?

Check that it includes reporting modules by standard (E1–E5, S1–S4, G1), XBRL export and source tracking.

Can I use the same software for CSRD and the EU Taxonomy?

Yes. In fact, Manglai integrates both frameworks, making it easier to ensure consistency between financial and non-financial reporting.

How long does it take to implement a CSRD system?

It depends on company size and the quality of available data. With tools like Manglai, the initial setup can be completed in a few weeks.

What benefits does sustainability management software offer beyond CSRD compliance?

Improved data efficiency, reduced regulatory risk, and increased confidence from investors and customers.