A curated list of open-source software, datasets, libraries, reports, and tools for decarbonizing the world — from energy systems and carbon accounting to industrial processes, transportation, agriculture, and negative emissions.
Decarbonizing the global economy by mid-century is the defining engineering and societal challenge of our time. This list collects the best open-source resources to model, measure, optimize, and implement deep decarbonization pathways at scale.
- Energy System Modeling
- Carbon Accounting & LCA
- Industrial Decarbonization
- Electrification & Demand-Side Flexibility
- Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
- Climate Data, Emissions Inventories & Satellite Monitoring
- Open Hardware for Clean Energy & Monitoring
- Policy, Finance & Macroeconomic Modeling
- Visualization & Dashboard Tools
- Reports & Analyses
- Carbon Offsetting Resources
- Carbon Insetting Resources
- Scope 1, 2 & 3 Emissions Resources
- Contributing
- License
- OSeMOSYS – Open Source Energy Modelling System for long-term energy planning.
- PyPSA – Python toolbox for simulating and optimizing modern power systems.
- Calliope – Flexible framework for energy system modeling.
- GenX – Electricity system capacity expansion model with high renewable penetration.
- NEMO – Next Energy Modeling system for Optimization.
- Switch – Power system planning model focused on renewables, storage, and transmission.
- GENeSYS-MOD – Open multi-sector energy system model.
- TEMOA – Tools for Energy Model Optimization and Analysis.
- Balmorel – Partial equilibrium model for electricity and heat systems.
- oemof – Open Energy Modelling Framework (Python).
- openLCA – Full-featured life cycle assessment software.
- Brightway2 – Advanced LCA framework in Python.
- EC3 – Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator.
- CMLCA – Legacy but still used LCA software.
- pyLCA – Python library for LCA calculations.
- Activity Browser – GUI for Brightway2.
- US EEIO – Environmentally-Extended Input-Output models.
- Exiobase – Multi-regional environmentally extended supply-use tables.
- Pyrolysis Models (Pyrokinetics) – Tools for biomass and waste pyrolysis.
- Hydrogen Tools (HyPAT) – Hydrogen Production Allocation Tool.
- Cement Decarbonization Models – TIMES-based cement sector models.
- Steel Decarbonization Model – Global steel sector decarbonization pathways.
- ChemDecarb – Chemical industry decarbonization modeling.
- Industrial Energy Toolbox – Industrial process models for ETSAP-TIMES.
- FlexMeasures – Open platform for energy flexibility.
- OpenLEGO – Grid-aware EV charging and flexibility modeling.
- OpenSTEF – Short-term energy forecasting for flexibility markets.
- FLEXIBILITY (GridLab) – Advanced distribution system simulator with DR.
- EVLAB – Electric vehicle charging and grid impact tools.
- CDR Database (CarbonPlan) – Open dataset of CDR projects.
- OpenCDR – Community tools for CDR monitoring and verification.
- Pycdr – Python library for CDR pathway modeling.
- DACCS Models – Direct Air Capture cost and energy models.
- Ocean Alkalinity Tools – Ocean CDR modeling suite.
- Our World in Data – CO₂ and GHG – Comprehensive emissions dataset.
- Climate TRACE – Asset-level emissions from satellite + AI.
- EDGAR – Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research.
- Carbon Monitor – Near-real-time global CO₂ emissions.
- OpenNGI – Satellite-based methane detection.
- GOSAT Tools – Greenhouse gas satellite data processing.
- OpenEnergyMonitor – Full stack energy monitoring hardware + software.
- EmonCMS – Energy visualization platform.
- OpenEMS (Open Energy Management System) – Hardware-agnostic EMS.
- HeatpumpMonitor.org – Open hardware for heat pump performance monitoring.
- CircuitSetup Expandable 6-Channel Energy Meter
- E3ME-FTT – Macro-econometric model with technology diffusion.
- OpenSource Macroeconomics – Collection of open macro models.
- IMF Climate Policy Models – Open tools for carbon pricing and fiscal policy.
- Climate Policy Database – Open database of global climate laws and policies.
- Electricity Maps (open-source core) – Real-time carbon intensity visualization.
- Carbon Interface – API + dashboard for carbon-aware computing.
- Energy Dashboard (Home Assistant) – Powerful open-source energy dashboards.
- OpenEnergy Dashboard – University-focused energy dashboard.
- Grafana + InfluxDB – Industry-standard time-series visualization.
- IEA Net Zero by 2050 – Comprehensive study on transitioning to a net-zero energy system by 2050.
- IEA Policy Toolbox for Industrial Decarbonisation – Repository of policy instruments for industrial decarbonization strategies.
- IEA World Energy Outlook 2025 Free Dataset – Free dataset with macro drivers and techno-economic inputs for energy scenarios.
- IEA Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2023 – Annual assessment of clean energy technology deployment and milestones.
- IEA Advancing Decarbonisation through Clean Electricity Procurement – Strategies for corporate clean electricity goals to accelerate transitions.
- IRENA Capturing Carbon – Status and potential of CCS, CCU, and CDR technologies alongside renewables.
- IRENA Reaching Zero with Renewables – Deep decarbonization options for hard-to-abate sectors to meet Paris Agreement goals.
- IRENA World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022 – 1.5°C pathway analysis with focus on electrification, bioenergy, and critical materials.
- IRENA Decarbonising Hard-to-Abate Sectors with Renewables: Perspectives for the G7 – Pathways and recommendations for G7 in five hard-to-abate sectors.
- IRENA Renewable Energy Capacity Statistics 2025 – Annual data on global renewable energy deployment progress.
- IMO 2023 Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships – Revised targets and actions for net-zero shipping emissions by or around 2050.
- IMO Work to Cut GHG Emissions from Ships – Overview of regulatory framework for low- and zero-carbon ship technologies and fuels.
- IATA Fly Net Zero by 2050 – Airline commitment and roadmaps for net-zero carbon emissions in aviation.
- IATA Aviation Net Zero CO2 Transition Pathways Comparative Review – Comparison of roadmaps for aviation decarbonization levers like SAF and technology.
- IATA Net Zero Roadmaps – Detailed actions in technology, infrastructure, operations, finance, and policy for aviation net zero.
- Deloitte Pathways to Decarbonization Series – Sector-specific insights on decarbonizing high-impact industries like power, steel, and chemicals.
- Deloitte Pathways to Decarbonization: Built Environment – Roadmap for net-zero emission construction and building materials.
- UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2024 – Analysis of emission trends and required cuts for 1.5°C pathway.
- UNEP Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future – Strategies to decarbonize building materials like cement and steel.
- UNEP Annual Report 2022 – Progress on net-zero alliances and adaptation in finance and industry.
- World Bank Power System Decarbonization Pathways – Dashboard with analyses for policy and investment priorities in power sector decarbonization.
- World Bank Within Reach: Navigating the Political Economy of Decarbonization – Case studies on overcoming political barriers to climate action.
- World Bank Green Technologies: Decarbonizing Development in East Asia and Pacific – Insights on regional innovation and adoption of renewables for decarbonization.
- McKinsey Decarbonizing the World’s Industries: A Net-Zero Guide for Nine Key Sectors – Pathways and impacts for emissions-intensive industries.
- McKinsey The Net-Zero Transition: Its Cost and Benefits – Economic analysis of global net-zero transformation by 2050.
- BloombergNEF Industry Decarbonization Market Outlook 1H 2024 – Progress tracking in low-carbon steel, aluminum, petrochemicals, and cement.
- BloombergNEF Industrial Decarbonization: Things to Watch 2024 – Key developments in hydrogen steel, chemical recycling, and direct air capture.
- IPCC Global Warming of 1.5°C – Special report on impacts, adaptation, and mitigation pathways for 1.5°C limit.
- IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023 – Comprehensive assessment of mitigation options and sectoral decarbonization.
- IPCC AR7 Outlines (Ongoing) – Emerging outlines for next assessment cycle focusing on integration and equity in decarbonization.
Resources to understand, evaluate, critique, and implement high-integrity carbon offsetting (including voluntary carbon markets, standards, registries, and rating agencies).
- Voluntary Registry Standards Comparison – CarbonPlan’s detailed side-by-side comparison of the four major registries (ACR, CAR, Gold Standard, Verra).
- Oxford Principles for Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting (2020 + 2024 update) – Foundational framework for credible corporate offsetting and transition to insets.
- VCMI Claims Code of Practice – Guidance on credible carbon-credit use claims (including “Carbon Neutral”, “Net Zero”, etc.).
- ICVCM Core Carbon Principles – 10 governance & quality criteria for high-integrity carbon credits.
- Carbon Credit Quality Initiative (CCQI) Scorecard – Open-source methodology and scores for 30+ project types (BeZero, Calyx, CarbonPlan, Sylvera, WWF).
- MSCI Carbon Markets (formerly Trove Research) – Research and data platform on carbon credit supply, demand, pricing, and quality trends.
- Berkeley Carbon Trading Project – Real-time ratings of credit vintages and project types.
- Verra Registry Dashboard – Public registry for VCS projects and issuances.
- Gold Standard Registry – Public registry with impact reporting.
- American Carbon Registry – Public project database and registry.
- Puro.earth Marketplace & Standards – Leading engineered CDR (biochar, carbonated materials, DAC) registry.
- CDR.fyi – Live tracker of verified CDR purchases and prices (DAC, biochar, ocean, etc.).
- Offset Guide by Stockholm Environment Institute – Free, comprehensive guide to understanding carbon offsets and their limitations.
- Sylvera Ratings – Carbon-credit rating agency with free public summaries.
- BeZero Carbon Ratings – Independent project-level risk ratings (some free data available).
Insetting focuses on reducing or removing emissions within a company’s own value chain or sector (e.g., regenerative agriculture, low-carbon materials, supply-chain reforestation) rather than external offsets.
- Carbon3 Insetting Framework – Market and platform for supply chains to actively address Scope 3 through inset credits as financial instrument.
- International Platform for Insetting – Global community defining standards and best practices for insetting.
- Insetting Definition & Framework (2023) – Official framework document with principles and examples.
- Value Change Initiative Guidance (2024) – Scope 3 intervention guidance that distinguishes insetting from offsetting.
- Ecosphere+ Insetting Projects – Landscape-level insetting for agricultural commodities.
- Gold Standard Value Chain Interventions – Methodology for claiming Scope 3 reductions via insetting.
- Regen10 – Coalition working on outcomes-based regenerative agriculture frameworks that enable insetting claims.
Core guides, protocols, calculators, and tools to understand, measure, report, and reduce Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (energy-related), and especially Scope 3 (value-chain) emissions.
- GHG Protocol – The global standard
All official standards and guidance documents (Corporate Standard, Scope 2 Guidance, Scope 3 Standard, Scope 3 Calculation Guidance, etc.). - GHG Protocol Scope 3 Evaluator (free online tool)
Free web tool to quickly screen and estimate Scope 3 emissions. - Scope 3 Guidance & Technical Guidance (2023 updates)
Latest detailed calculation methods for all 15 Scope 3 categories. - SBTi Scope 3 Target Setting Tool & Criteria (v5.2, 2024)
Official Excel tool + rules for setting science-based Scope 3 targets. - CDP Climate Change Questionnaire & Guidance
Annual reporting framework used by 20,000+ companies; includes detailed Scope 1–3 questions and scoring methodology. - Value Change Guidance (Scope 3 interventions, 2024)
Practical framework distinguishing abatement, insetting, offsetting, and neutralisation in Scope 3. - IEA Emissions Factors Database (2024)
Free, up-to-date Scope 2 (electricity) and some Scope 3 emission factors by country/region. - Exiobase / Spend-based Scope 3 factors
Widely used environmentally extended input-output database for quick spend-based Scope 3 screening. - U.S. EPA Supply Chain GHG Emission Factors Hub (2024)
Free U.S.-focused factors for spend-based and average-data methods. - Defra / UK Government GHG Conversion Factors (2024)
Annual UK factors; widely used globally for Scope 3 categories. - WRI / Quantis Scope 3 Evaluator Tool (alternative free tool)
- PCAFF – Global GHG Accounting Standard for Financial Institutions (2024)
Standard for financed emissions (Scope 3 category 15 – Investments). - TCFD / ISSB Climate-Related Disclosures (IFRS S2)
Mandatory Scope 1, 2, and (where material) Scope 3 disclosure requirements starting 2024–2025 in many jurisdictions. - Exponential Roadmap Initiative – 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders
Practical playbooks for engaging suppliers and reducing Scope 3 emissions exponentially.
Contributions are very welcome!
To the extent possible under law, all contributors have dedicated this list to the public domain via CC0 1.0.