The 10 best companies to audit your corporate sustainability

These are the 10 best partners for a corporate sustainability audit in 2025:

1. Dcycle

2. Persefoni

3. Watershed

4. EcoVadis

5. Envizi by IBM

6. Emitwise

7. Clarity AI

8. Sweep

9. Normative

10. FigBytes

Measuring your ESG impact accurately is no longer optional, it's part of the game. And this is where the corporate sustainability audit comes into play: the clearest way to know where you stand and where you should be going.

More and more companies are measuring their sustainability because the market demands it. If you don’t measure, you can’t improve. If you don’t improve, you fall behind. And if you don’t have data, you simply don’t exist for many clients, investors or supply chains.

This isn’t about greenwashing. It’s about clearly understanding your numbers, reporting what’s necessary, and making decisions based on real data. Regulations like CSRD or SBTi targets won’t wait for you to catch up.

And let’s be clear, this is not just about compliance. It’s about using that information to optimize costs, enter new markets, and stop making blind decisions.

Why do it, how to start, and what are the benefits?

Let’s take a look, step by step.

The 10 Best Partners for a Corporate Sustainability Audit

1. Dcycle: Your Data Backbone for Audit‑Ready ESG

Let’s be clearDcycle is not an auditing firm or a consultancy.

We’re a solution that helps companies get their ESG data under control before any audit even starts. No fluff, no chaosjust clarity.

Think of us as the prep work you didn’t know you needed.

We centralize all your ESG metricsemissions, diversity, governance, supply chainso your data is traceable, structured and always up to date.

Why Dcycle makes sense before calling any auditor:

• All your ESG data in one place, ready for CSRD, ISO, SBTi or whatever comes your way.
  
  
• Traceable numbers: every figure is linked to its source, so you’re not scrambling when asked to prove it.
  
  
• Multi-use format: once structured, your data works for reports, audits, investors or internal strategy.

Bottom line: with Dcycle, you don’t improvise.

You show up with solid data, ready to be auditednot just to comply, but to compete.

2. Persefoni: Enterprise-grade ESG data control

Persefoni is a platform built for audit-level ESG management.

It’s designed to align with global standards like GHG Protocol, PCAF, and regulatory frameworks such as CSRD or SEC rules.

Why it fits the top 5:

• Built-in audit controls: ensures your data is complete, traceable and formatted for assurance.
  
  
• Regulatory readiness: automatic checks against global sustainability disclosure requirements.
  
  
• Enterprise scalability: handles data from multi-country, multi-entity operations without losing clarity.

If you’re a large organization facing complex reporting obligations, Persefoni has the muscle.

3. Watershed: Full-stack ESG action platform

Watershed does more than measureit connects ESG data with action.

From data gathering to audit prep, it’s built to turn emissions and sustainability metrics into decisions that matter.

Why companies rely on it:

• Audit-friendly reports that map to frameworks like SBTi, CDP, CSRD.
  
  
• Live dashboards to track reduction goals and risks in real time.
  
  
• Collaboration features to align legal, ops and sustainability teams on one platform.

If you want a mix of data control and strategic use, Watershed delivers both.

4. EcoVadis: Supplier-focused audit support

EcoVadis specializes in sustainability audits across supply chains.

It provides ESG scorecards for suppliers and partners, helping you complete the Scope 3 picture required in many audit processes.

Why it matters in audit prep:

• Supplier ESG ratings ready for integration into your broader audit framework.
  
  
• Actionable insights: helps identify weak links in your supply chain sustainability.
  
  
• Audit-aligned outputs that can plug into corporate sustainability reports and investor decks.

Especially useful if supplier impact is key to your ESG narrative.

5. Envizi by IBM: ESG performance meets audit traceability

Envizi is built for companies that need detailed, audit-ready ESG data across operations.

Backed by IBM, it integrates energy, emissions, supply chain and finance data into one traceable stream.

Where it stands out:

• Strong integration with existing enterprise systems (ERP, finance, facilities).
  
  
• End-to-end traceability: every metric connects back to a documented source.
  
  
• Framework-aligned dashboards to simplify CSRD, ISO or SBTi reporting.

Ideal for companies already deep into digital transformation and ESG strategy.

6. Emitwise: Real-time Scope 3 visibility

Emitwise brings automation to the trickiest part of ESG audits: Scope 3 emissions.

Its platform analyzes procurement data and supplier activity to create verified carbon footprintsideal for audit documentation.

Why it works for audit preparation:

• Real-time tracking of emissions across your supply chain.
  
  
• Automatic evidence collection, reducing manual work during audits.
  
  
• Data assurance features to meet SBTi, CDP and CSRD expectations.

Perfect if your biggest audit gaps are upstream in your supply chain.

7. Clarity AI: ESG audit alignment through smart scoring

Clarity AI helps you benchmark and validate your ESG data against market and regulatory standards.

It brings data intelligence into your audit process by providing gap analyses and peer comparisons.

Why auditors value this tool:

• Regulation-specific scoring for CSRD, SFDR, Taxonomy and more.
  
  
• Automated disclosure checks, showing you where you fall short.
  
  
• Third-party verification options that strengthen your credibility.

If you want to know exactly how your ESG numbers stack upand what’s missingClarity AI gives you the scorecard.

8. Sweep: End-to-end ESG management for audit prep

Sweep is a one-stop platform for managing, tracking and auditing ESG performance.

It connects your internal teams and suppliers in one space to streamline sustainability data collection and verification.

What makes it audit-friendly:

• Collaboration tools to align data owners and compliance leads.
  
  
• Built-in audit trails with source references and calculation logic.
  
  
• Support for EU Taxonomy, ISO and SBTi compliance.

A solid choice for companies looking to scale ESG governance and audit capability together.

9. Normative: Automated carbon accounting with audit focus

Normative simplifies emissions reporting with built-in audit logic.

Their platform uses verified emissions factors and full Scope 1, 2 and 3 coverage to prepare data that auditors can actually trust.

Why it’s built for audits:

• Methodology transparency: all assumptions and data points are traceable.
  
  
• Supplier-level estimates for companies with limited upstream data.
  
  
• Audit-grade reporting formats aligned with GHG Protocol.

If you want to automate most of the prep while still being audit-compliant, Normative is a practical solution.

10. FigBytes: ESG reporting and audit governance in one

FigBytes connects your ESG goals to data, reports and audit outputs in a single workflow.

It’s a platform that combines governance oversight with the operational reality of ESG tracking.

Why it earns a top 10 spot:

• Policy-to-data links that show how strategy translates into measurable outcomes.
  
  
• Built-in compliance checks for ISO, GRI, SASB, CSRD.
  
  
• Strong documentation layer that supports internal and external audits.

For teams managing both strategy and compliance, FigBytes brings both sides together.

What is a Corporate Sustainability Audit?

A corporate sustainability audit is a thorough review of your company’s ESG data. It’s not paperwork to look good, it’s a tool that helps us understand if we are doing things right.

The key? Verifying that the data is reliable, complete, and aligned with regulatory requirements. Because if our reports don’t meet what CSRD, the EU Taxonomy or ISO standards demand, they’re useless.

The goal isn’t just to comply. It’s to have control over what we report, know where we’re failing and spot opportunities to improve. And doing that with verified data is the first step.

This is nothing like a financial audit. Here we’re not reviewing accounting figures, but everything related to our environmental, social and governance impact.

From emissions and resource usage, to team diversity and our governance policies.

An ESG audit also goes beyond reporting. It gives us a clear picture of how sustainability is managed daily. 

From strategy to data, including how information is collected and who makes decisions with it.

Why your Company Needs a Sustainability Audit

Doing an ESG audit isn’t for “committed” companies, it’s for those that want to compete seriously.

This isn’t about reputation, this is about compliance, efficiency, and market access.

1. Verify Regulatory Compliance

If we’re not compliant, we’re not in the game. Regulations like CSRD, the EU Taxonomy, or various ISOs are not optional. They demand specific, reliable and auditable data.

An ESG audit helps us understand if what we are reporting meets those requirements.

It also helps us anticipate what’s coming. Because waiting until the last minute to adapt is a bad strategy.

2. Validate the Reliability of Your ESG Data

Having data isn’t enough, it has to be credible. If the numbers don’t match or their origin can’t be traced, they’re worthless. And that can cost us contracts, funding, or access to grants.

A well-done audit tests the quality of our ESG information. It reviews how we collect it, who validates it, and whether it meets regulatory requirements.

This forms the foundation for automating processes, saving time and avoiding mistakes.

3. Improve Transparency and Credibility With Stakeholders

Clients, investors, and authorities want certainty, not promises. And if we can’t back up our data with evidence, we lose trust.

An ESG audit helps us communicate with confidence. It shows we’re not talking about intentions, but about concrete, measurable and comparable results. That transparency is what builds credibility in an increasingly demanding market.

Sustainability is already a strategic lever. And companies that don’t take it seriously will be left behind.

Measuring properly, auditing and acting with real data is what allows us to lead, not follow.

4 Benefits of Passing an ESG Audit Successfully

Passing an ESG audit is not just about checking a box. It opens the door to real advantages that have a direct impact on your business.

If we do things right, we see the results across the board: access to capital, reputation, decision-making, and reporting agility.

1. Access to Sustainable Financing

More and more funds and banks require audited ESG data before they release funding. It’s no longer enough to say we’re doing things right, we must prove it with verified data.

This is where clear sustainable finance frameworks come into play. They define the structure and criteria needed to ensure that financial flows align with sustainability objectives and regulatory expectations.

Passing an ESG audit successfully allows us to enter that circuit. And not only that, it improves our financing conditions: less perceived risk, more confidence, more options.

Having our ESG house in order puts us in a better position with any financial institution.

Because they also report, and they need to work with companies that won’t create problems.

2. Reputation Boost and Competitive Differentiation

A nice story is not enough, we need evidence. A successful ESG audit sends a clear message to the market: we know what we’re doing, and we do it rigorously.

That sets us apart. While others improvise or dress up data, we present audited, traceable and solid figures. And that builds trust.

In a market where everyone says the same thing, verified data makes us stand out.

Now you’re not just competing on price or product, but also on credibility.

3. Insights to Make Strategic Decisions

A well-executed audit doesn’t just validate what we already know, it also reveals what we aren’t seeing. It helps us understand our business better, detect inefficiencies, and uncover levers for improvement.

ESG data isn’t just for reports, it’s for decision-making. If it’s well-audited, it gives us a solid foundation for real choices: where to invest, what to change, what to prioritize.

Passing an audit isn’t the end, it’s the starting point to do things better.

With clear and reliable information, there’s no need to guess.

4. Easier Reporting and Investment Processes

If your data is already organized and audited, everything else is much faster. From the Non-Financial Information Statement (EINF) to an investor report or a pitch to a fund.

A successful ESG audit means you’ve already done most of the work. You can respond to any request without spending weeks searching for documents or recalculating figures.

This not only saves time, but also enhances our image with any stakeholder. Because whoever has their data under control, projects strength.

Choosing the Right Partner: What Really Matters

Not all audit partners are created equal.

Some offer general ESG services, others are focused on a specific framework or reporting tool. What matters is that you pick one that matches your needs, your industry, and the kind of audit you’re preparing for.

Before jumping into the list, let’s get one thing straight:

This isn’t just about hiring a service provider. It’s about building a system that works, one that holds up under pressure, helps you make better decisions, and gives you the confidence to share your data with anyone.

So what should you look for in a partner?

• Audit-readiness by design: Not just compliance, but clarity and traceability.
  
  
• Alignment with major frameworks: CSRD, SBTi, ISO, GHG Protocol, whatever applies to you.
  
  
• Flexibility: Can they handle your complexity, sector-specific data, multi-entity reporting, or hybrid teams?
  
  
• Tech that works: Automating data collection, validation, and reporting makes everything faster and less painful.
  
  
• Support without dependency: You want control over your ESG system, not to outsource your brain.
  
  

With that in mind, here’s our take on the best players to have on your side.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When Is a Sustainability Audit Mandatory?

It depends on your company’s size, sector and location, but there are more and more regulations that require it. CSRD, for example, forces large companies to report audited ESG information.

It may also be a requirement if you’re looking for funding, public tenders or access to certain markets.

So, even if it’s not mandatory for everyone yet, it soon will be, or someone you want to do business with will ask for it.

What’s the Difference Between an Internal and External ESG Audit?

The internal audit is done by you or your team and is used to know where you stand. It’s helpful to prepare, detect errors, and organize your system before making it public.

The external audit is conducted by an independent entity that reviews and validates your data. It’s usually mandatory if you’re officially reporting or seeking certifications.

Ideally, you should combine both: one to prepare you, the other to prove compliance.

What Documents Should I Prepare for an Audit?

Everything that supports what you’re reporting. This includes data sources, calculation methodologies, evidence of goal tracking, roles and responsibilities, and traceability for each ESG figure.

You don’t need an infinite archive, but everything should be organized, updated, and well documented.

If someone asks for the source of a figure, you need to be able to show it without hassle.

How Long Can the Audit Process Take?

That depends on how prepared you are. If your data is scattered and no one knows who does what, it could take weeks or months just to get organized.

With centralized and validated data, an audit can be done in just a few days.

That’s why we emphasize preparation: the time you invest upfront makes all the difference later.

What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid in an ESG Audit?

1. Not knowing which regulations you need to comply with.
   
   
2. Reporting without validating your data.
   
   
3. Improvising roles and processes.
   
   
4. Failing to save evidence of what you do.
   
   
5. Relying on outdated spreadsheets or scattered files.
   
   

An ESG audit is not a trap, it’s an opportunity to do things right. But if we show up unprepared, it becomes an unnecessary problem. Better to have everything ready from the start.