Seeking Collaborators: Open-Source Carbon Accounting Tool for SMEs

[mindsongreen]

About Me
I'm a freelance GHG Professional with training in GHG Protocol and ISO GHG accounting standards. I work primarily with SMEs and fast-growing companies to help them navigate carbon accounting challenges.

The Problem
Through my work, I've identified several critical gaps in existing carbon accounting solutions:

1. Data Confidentiality Concerns
   Many companies, especially in industries like chemicals, are reluctant to upload sensitive data (recipes, proprietary processes) to external servers due to confidentiality policies.

2. Limited Automation & Integration
   Companies frequently request ERP/database integration for automated data collection
   Simultaneous need for external database connections (emission factors, benchmarks)
   Current solutions often require manual data entry

3. Standards Compliance Complexity
   Supporting multiple carbon accounting standards while maintaining accuracy and auditability.

4. Poor Stakeholder Engagement
   Insufficient involvement in emission source mapping, leading to mistrust in carbon data, inadequate action planning, limited organizational buy-in

5. Lack of Transparency
   Black-box calculations that users can't understand or verify, hindering effective emission reduction strategies.

My Solution Approach
I believe users should actively participate in mapping emission sources and understand their carbon calculations. If you can't explain how emissions are calculated, you can't effectively act to reduce them.

Core Innovation
I've developed a tool that:

• reads carbon calculation algorithms written in natural language (ie "annual distance traveled × car fuel consumption × emission factor")
• enables multiple purpose-specific data stores with different trust levels
• can be used to calculate carbon footprints at the product and organization level, following different carbon accounting standards
• generates audit tracks and documentation
• is lightweight and energy efficient

This approach ensures:

✅ Full transparency in calculations
✅ Accurate carbon accounting
✅ User understanding of emission sources
✅ Easier identification of reduction opportunities
✅ Better stakeholder engagement
✅ Confidentiality of sensitive information

What I'm Looking For

🔧 Developers
Help improve and optimize the existing codebase
I'm not a programming specialist, so there's definitely room for enhancement
Interested in clean code, scalability, and user experience improvements

🌍 GHG Specialists
Peer-to-peer review of methodology
Validation of compliance with standards (GHG Protocol, ISO 14064, etc.)
Input on industry-specific calculation approaches
Testing with real-world scenarios

🎯 Potential Use Cases
SMEs starting their carbon accounting journey
Growing companies needing scalable solutions
Organizations requiring on-premise deployment for confidentiality
Companies wanting to integrate with existing systems

Why Open Source?
Transparency: Carbon accounting should be open and verifiable
Accessibility: SMEs need affordable solutions
Innovation: Community-driven development can address diverse industry needs
Trust: Open algorithms build stakeholder confidence

Current Status
✅ Basic natural language algorithm parser
✅ Core calculation engine
✅ Advanced specifications
🔄 Working on specifications for the generation of audit tables
🔄 Developing the tool, according to available specifications

Interested in contributing or learning more? Please comment below or reach out directly. Whether you're a developer excited about climate tech, a GHG professional with insights to share, or someone facing similar challenges, I'd love to connect!