ESG Software RFP Template
A ready-to-use Request for Proposal for carbon accounting, ESG reporting, EHS, and industrial AI software — structured around the AiGreenTools Score™ methodology, with a 15-minute Quick Start built in.
Most ESG software RFPs ask vendors whether they “support CSRD” and get the same answer from everyone: yes. This template is built to get past that — asking vendors to demonstrate one completed workflow, classify their AI features against a real framework, and disclose the things that actually predict a bad vendor relationship, like recent leadership changes or an unwillingness to provide a churned reference.
What’s inside
- Quick Start — complete this RFP in 15 minutes
- Project overview & business problem checklist
- Scope of requirements (6 categories, 5 maturity stages)
- Functional requirement tables (Must-have / Nice-to-have)
- AI capability questions (Native / Enhanced framework)
- Vendor company information & reference checks
- Technical, security & commercial terms
- Evaluation criteria — the AiGreenTools Score™ with 3 weighting profiles
- Appendices: reference questions & response completeness checklist
Why this template is different
Most RFP templates are generic procurement boilerplate with “ESG” inserted into a field somewhere. This one is built around the same framework used across AiGreenTools: the same AI classification system, the same 5-pillar scoring methodology, and the same buyer-maturity model — so a proposal scored with this template produces a number that means the same thing as a score anywhere else on the site.
AI questions with teeth
Vendors classify every AI feature as Native or Enhanced and must describe the actual mechanism — not just check a box marked “AI-powered.”
Pre-configured weighting profiles
Small Company, Mid-Market, and Enterprise weighting profiles are built in, so you’re not guessing at percentages from a blank table.
Reference questions that surface real risk
Includes a ready-to-use question asking for a reference who left or seriously considered leaving — not just satisfied customers.
A response completeness checklist built in
Appendix B gives you a ready-to-use checklist to run against every proposal that arrives, before scoring even begins — catching vague “yes” answers before they cost you time.
The evaluation framework, at a glance
| Pillar | What it evaluates |
|---|---|
| Sustainability Impact | Relevance to ESG and climate use cases; coverage of recognised frameworks (e.g. CSRD, GHG Protocol); support for carbon accounting scopes |
| Features & Capabilities | Functional depth in its stated category; whether AI is native or enhanced; integrations; automation and reporting |
| Value for Money | Price-to-feature ratio; transparency of public pricing; availability of a free plan or trial |
| Ease of Use | Reported onboarding experience; clarity of the interface; documentation and support quality |
| Trust & Maturity | Years in operation; customer base size and visibility; certifications; G2/Capterra ratings |
Included tip: if more than 40% of your requirements are marked “Must-Have,” the RFP is probably too restrictive. Most organizations have three to five genuine blockers — the template flags this directly in Section 2.
Frequently asked questions
Is this RFP template free?
Yes — the Word template is a free, direct download with no email required.
Can I use this for EHS or industrial AI software, not just carbon/ESG?
Yes. Section 2.1 lets you select any of the 6 AiGreenTools software categories — Carbon & Climate, ESG & Sustainability, EHS, Compliance & Quality, Industrial AI, or Energy Transition — as the scope for this RFP.
Does scoring vendor proposals require any extra tools?
No. Section 8 includes a ready-to-use scoring table with the 5 AiGreenTools Score™ pillars — enter each vendor’s score directly in the Word document, no separate software required.
How is this different from a generic procurement RFP template?
It’s built specifically around ESG/EHS software buying decisions — including AI capability questions with a real classification framework, a maturity-stage checklist, and evaluation criteria mapped to the AiGreenTools Score™, rather than generic software-procurement boilerplate.
Can I delete sections that don’t apply to my evaluation?
Yes — the Quick Start page explicitly recommends this as step 2. Most organizations don’t need every requirement table or appendix, and a shorter, focused RFP produces more comparable vendor responses than a long generic one.
Where to go next
Read the framework this template is built on in the AI Tools Buyer’s Guide, or see how two real vendors compare against each other in Workiva vs IBM Envizi Compared.
