Veikko from Third Rock Finland Oy

For many sustainability consultants, carbon footprinting has long been synonymous with spreadsheets. But as client demand grows and expectations evolve, so does the need for more scalable and reliable tools.

We spoke with Veikko, Lead Consultant at Third Rock Finland Oy, about how their team approaches carbon accounting today, why they chose Carbon+Alt+Delete, and what the future of carbon footprinting looks like from a consultant’s perspective.

The Past: When Excel Was Everything

Before adopting a dedicated carbon accounting platform, Third Rock relied heavily on Excel.

“We used Excel for the whole carbon accounting process,” Veikko says simply.

In fact, their team has developed bespoke Excel-based carbon footprint (CF) calculators tailored to specific use cases. In some cases, these custom tools are still used, especially where precision or unique client needs demand it.

This hybrid approach highlights a reality many consultants face: while spreadsheets offer flexibility, they can also introduce complexity and risk -especially as projects scale.

Choosing the Right Tool in a Crowded Market

Third Rock didn’t rush into adopting software. According to Veikko, the team evaluated “tens of different CF software solutions” before making a decision.

“It offers the best bang for the buck,” he explains. “And we really appreciate the great support and fast pace of useful improvements.”

In a market where many tools promise similar capabilities, responsiveness and continuous development proved to be key differentiators.

The Present: A Year with Carbon+Alt+Delete

After a year of working with Carbon+Alt+Delete, Third Rock has seen clear benefits-particularly in reducing manual work and improving data reliability.

“Most of the relevant emission factors are in one place and up-to-date,” Veikko explains. “There’s less room for human errors, for example with formulas, than with Excel.”

This shift, from manual calculation to centralized, structured data - has helped streamline consultants’ workflows and reduce the risk of mistakes. That said, the transition hasn’t been without challenges.

“The workflow takes some getting used to,” he notes. “In some ways, using a spreadsheet is more straightforward.” This underscores an important point: adopting new tools requires not just technical integration, but also a shift in mindset and processes.

Beyond Delivery: A Business Opportunity

Interestingly, the value of carbon accounting software goes beyond project execution.

“From a business perspective, using the software creates an incentive for recurring projects,” Veikko says.

By enabling ongoing tracking and updates, platforms like Carbon+Alt+Delete support a more continuous client relationship-moving away from one-off reports toward long-term engagement. We also use the software as part of our sales approach, which is welcomed by the end companies.

Looking Ahead: What Consultants Need Next

When asked whether he would recommend Carbon+Alt+Delete to other consultants, Veikko is clear:

“Yes. The workflow is good compared to the market average, the emission factor database is very comprehensive, support is great, and there are tons of useful features with more always coming.”

At the same time, there is room for improvement. The basic workflow of importing data sheets should be the primary focus he suggests - highlighting data onboarding as a key area for further development.

Conclusion

Third Rock’s journey reflects a broader shift in the sustainability consulting space: from flexible but manual tools toward more structured, scalable platforms.

While Excel still has its place, the growing complexity of carbon accounting and the need for accuracy, efficiency, and repeatability makes dedicated software increasingly essential.

And as Veikko’s insights make clear, the real challenge ahead isn’t just improving tools, it’s driving meaningful action. By using Carbon+Alt+Delete they are one step closer to that.