Green Project Technologies, Microsoft Pitch Small Business Carbon Accounting Software

Green Project Technologies, a carbon accounting platform for small businesses, is now available via Microsoft AppSource, the two companies said.

The overall relationship connects the dots between Green Project's software, Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability and Microsoft Azure.

Green Project, founded in 2021, helps more than 500 SMB customers to track, report and manage their carbon emissions. The company raised $1.8 million in seed funding in January 2022. Blue Collective led the round.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability has been expanding to include AI capabilities such as Copilot in Microsoft Sustainability Manager software.

Microsoft and Green Project Technologies: SMB Carbon Accounting Perspectives

The Microsoft-Green Project collaboration will allow SMB customers to access an audit-grade carbon accounting platform with automated data collection and integrations with over 12,000 utilities, accounting software, travel and fleet management software, and more, the two companies said.

In a prepared statement about the relationship, Green Project CEO Sam Stark said: "We are thrilled to collaborate with Microsoft to help bring companies a straightforward and affordable way to comply with ESG reporting requirements. Green Project's goal is to eliminate stress from the process so companies of any size can focus on what matters most – driving data-driven decarbonization."

Added Michelle Lancaster, Microsoft's senior director of global sustainability go to market & strategy: "At Microsoft, we believe that technology can be a powerful force for good. Our collaboration with Green Project Technologies is a testament to that belief and our commitment to small & medium businesses. Together, we are committed to driving sustainable innovation and creating a greener future for all."

Related: Microsoft's sustainability strategy and partner milestones

SMB Carbon Accounting Software: AWS, Sage Earth, Xero, Sumday

The Microsoft-Green Project relationship surfaced roughly two weeks after Amazon Web Services and Sage Earth announced a similar SMB carbon accounting software partnership. Sage, in particular, is convinced that SMB financial accountants will become carbon accountants, according to George Sandilands, VP of Sage Earth.

Related: Amazon and AWS sustainability strategy and partner milestones.

Meanwhile, more SMB carbon accounting news may surface at Xerocon 2024 -- an accounting software and small business platform conference scheduled for August in Nashville, Tennessee. Ahead of the event, Xero and Sumday partnered in February 2024 to "help accountants and bookkeepers globally to manage their own and their clients’ carbon accounting."

Among the potential developments we'll be watching: How will SMB carbon accounting software providers train channel partners -- including financial accountants, VARs and MSPs -- to sell, manage and monitor their platforms? Stay tuned for potential updates.