Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ZeroCarbon for US climate disclosures
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Why won't big ESG platforms beat you?
Because they sell tools. We sell disclosure readiness for a specific customer. Big ESG platforms are built for every industry, every geography, every use case — which means they're optimized for none. ZeroCarbon is purpose-built for US companies navigating SEC, SASB, and CDP requirements. We don't waste your time with features you don't need.
Are you competing with registries or carbon markets?
No. We're registry-agnostic and disclosure-first. Offsets are optional, not our product. ZeroCarbon focuses on helping you calculate emissions and generate compliant disclosures. If you choose to purchase carbon credits later, you can use any registry you prefer. We don't force you into a specific marketplace.
What's the core revenue model?
Recurring SaaS for disclosure + reporting. Offsets are secondary. We make money when companies subscribe to our platform for climate disclosure preparation. Unlike some platforms that push carbon credits to generate revenue, our business model is aligned with helping you report accurately — not sell you offsets.
What's your competitive moat?
US-specific regulatory focus + disclosure generation + claim safety. Most platforms are generic ESG dashboards. We're a specialized climate disclosure engine. Our moat is: (1) Deep understanding of US regulatory stack, (2) One-click disclosure exports that actually work, (3) Legal risk protection through our warning system.
How do you scale beyond VC-backed SaaS?
We start narrow (SaaS) to nail the product, then expand to adjacent verticals (e-commerce, professional services, consumer goods). Each industry needs the same core capability — accurate emissions calculation and compliant disclosure — but with different SASB metrics. We'll add industry templates over time.
Customer Questions
Is this compliance or voluntary?
Both. We prepare companies for mandatory SEC disclosures and market-driven standards (SASB, CDP). If you're a public company, SEC climate disclosure is coming. If you have investors or customers asking for climate data, SASB and CDP are market-driven but effectively mandatory. ZeroCarbon handles both.
How do you avoid greenwashing risk?
Clear assumptions, warning system, no premature net-zero claims, and audit-friendly documentation. This is why US companies trust us. Our platform actively prevents you from making risky claims by: (1) Warning you when data is incomplete, (2) Preventing net-zero claims until Scope 3 is complete, (3) Suggesting safe language for disclosures, (4) Documenting all assumptions for auditors.
Do I need ESG expertise to use this?
No. That's the point. ZeroCarbon is built for companies without dedicated ESG staff. We provide opinionated guidance — telling you exactly what to do and what to avoid. If you can track basic business data (electricity bills, fuel receipts), you can use ZeroCarbon.
What if I don't have all my data yet?
Start anyway. ZeroCarbon shows you exactly what's missing and helps you fill gaps over time. You don't need perfect data to begin. Our platform calculates confidence scores, highlights missing categories, and suggests safe disclosure language based on data completeness. Many companies start with Scope 1 & 2, then add Scope 3 later.
Can I generate reports for multiple standards at once?
Yes. We generate SEC, SASB, TCFD, CDP, and GHG Protocol reports from the same dataset. Once you input your emissions data, ZeroCarbon can export it in any format you need. No need to re-enter data or use multiple tools.
How long does it take to get disclosure-ready?
14 days on average for companies with basic data. Here's the typical timeline: Days 1-3: Data upload and validation. Days 4-7: Gap filling and confidence improvement. Days 8-12: Disclosure generation and review. Days 13-14: Final export and submission prep. Companies with well-organized data can move faster.
Do you provide attestation or verification services?
Not directly, but we prepare audit-ready reports. ZeroCarbon generates documentation that meets auditor requirements (clear methodology, traceable calculations, assumption documentation). You'll still need to hire a third-party verifier if attestation is required, but our reports make that process much faster and cheaper.
Technical Questions
What emission factors do you use?
EPA, EIA, and DEFRA databases (2024 editions). We use official government emission factors for Scope 1 and 2, and industry-standard factors (EEIO, spend-based) for Scope 3. All factors are documented and traceable. If you have custom factors (e.g., from suppliers), you can override defaults.
How do you handle Scope 3 emissions?
We support all 15 GHG Protocol Scope 3 categories with multiple calculation methods: (1) Spend-based using EEIO factors, (2) Activity-based using specific data, (3) Supplier-specific data when available. We also help you assess materiality to determine which categories you must report.
Can I import data from our ERP or accounting system?
Yes. ZeroCarbon supports CSV uploads, API integrations, and direct connections to common systems (QuickBooks, Xero, SAP, etc.). We also provide templates for manual entry if needed. Growth and Advanced plans include automated data sync.
What about Scope 2 market-based reporting?
Fully supported. If you purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) or have power purchase agreements (PPAs), ZeroCarbon calculates both location-based and market-based Scope 2 emissions per GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance. We also track renewable energy percentages for SASB reporting.
How do you ensure data security?
SOC 2 Type II certified, encrypted data at rest and in transit, role-based access control, and regular security audits. Your emissions data is confidential and never shared. We also support on-premise deployment for enterprise customers with strict data residency requirements.
Pricing Questions
What's included in the free trial?
Full platform access for 14 days. No credit card required. You can upload data, run calculations, generate reports, and export disclosures. The only limitation is that you can't submit final reports until you subscribe (to prevent abuse).
Do you charge per user or per company?
Per company. Unlimited users included in all plans. We believe teams should collaborate on climate disclosure without worrying about seat limits. Add your CFO, sustainability lead, operations manager — whoever needs access.
What if I only need reports once a year?
We offer annual billing at a discount (save 20%). If you only need disclosure support during reporting season, subscribe for 2-3 months, generate your reports, then cancel. No long-term contracts required. Many customers do exactly this.
Are carbon credits included in the price?
No. Carbon credits are purchased separately if you choose to offset. ZeroCarbon does not bundle credits because: (1) Not everyone wants to offset, (2) Forcing offsets is a conflict of interest, (3) You should have freedom to choose your registry. If you do want to offset, we connect you to verified registries.
What's the difference between Starter and Growth plans?
Starter is for simple reporting (Scope 1 & 2 focus). Growth adds full Scope 3, SASB industry mapping, SEC disclosure prep, and audit-ready exports. Most companies choose Growth because investors want comprehensive reporting. See full comparison on pricing page.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help you navigate US climate disclosure requirements.
"ZeroCarbon is not an ESG dashboard.
It's a climate disclosure engine built for real regulations."
That's how we win against big platforms.