NeoEco for Net Zero: A tool for accountants to deliver scientifically robust environmental impact measurement, forecasting, and mitigation

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Accountants act as a conduit for financial data for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Over 90% of accountants agree they want to do more within sustainability action (ACCA 2021), SMEs also represent around 90% of businesses worldwide, and are key actors in the journey to net-zero (ACCA 2021). For SMEs, supply chain emissions are 11.4x higher than operational emissions (CDP 2021) and they often have no approach to measure or mitigate these impacts. _The NeoEco tool allows accounting data to be integrated with (scientifically robust) environmental impact calculation methodologies, to generate environmental insights (climate change, water related impacts, biodiversity impacts), forecast future impacts, and create strategies for impact reduction._By taking advantage of existing accounting approaches (QA/QC, evidence collection etc.) and integrating this with best-in class environmental impact methodologies, the NeoEco tool can deliver a step change to the accuracy of impact calculations, as well as providing a low barrier to entry for SMEs to understand what actions are required to conform and be aligned to net zero and broader environmental impact reduction.NeoEco will prototype a scalable, commercially viable tool with widespread potential application across the accounting sector. Its 'Neo.Eco' software will use readily available accounting data (via APIs connecting to book-keeping software like Sage/Quickbooks/Xero) underpinned by a large, proprietary high-resolution Life-Cycle-Assessment (LCA) database/calculator.