CDP
Environmental Data Disclosure and Assessment
The CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) is one of the world’s leading ESG rating systems, providing companies with a structured framework to disclose their sustainability performance. We support you from the initial assessment to the final reporting—ensuring greater transparency, optimal rating results, and improved information for investors, customers, and regulators.
What is CDP?
CDP is an international non-profit organization that operates the world’s largest disclosure system for environmental data. For over 20 years, companies, investors, cities, states, and regions have used the platform to increase transparency on their environmental impact. Through standardized reporting, CDP enables comparable assessments of environmental performance and encourages companies to implement sustainability measures.
The annual CDP scores play a crucial role for investors, business partners, and rating agencies. They evaluate corporate climate strategies, emissions reductions, water conservation efforts, deforestation prevention, and overall transparency.
CDP focuses on three key environmental areas:
- Climate Change: CO₂ emissions, climate strategy, emissions reduction
- Water Security: Water use, risks, and management strategies
- Forests: Impact of supply chains on forests and deforestation
How Does the CDP Rating Work?
Companies submit their environmental data annually via a detailed questionnaire on the CDP platform. For 2025, submission is possible from June 16 to the week of September 15.
The CDP rating assesses companies based on their climate strategy, emissions reduction, and transparency in climate change, water security, and deforestation.
CDP evaluates companies based on:
- Scope and quality of disclosure (data, emissions, strategies)
- Identification and management of climate risks
- Targets and measures for emissions reduction
- Integration of sustainability into corporate strategy
- Alignment with international standards such as TCFD and SBTi
Companies receive a score from A to D, depending on the quality and depth of their disclosures. Below is the rating system for the climate questionnaire (water and deforestation follow the same logic):
- A (Leadership Level) – Leading in environmental management and reporting
- B (Management Level) – Initial climate strategy measures implemented
- C (Awareness Level) – Environmental risks identified, but no comprehensive strategy yet
- D (Disclosure Level) – Basic disclosure but few concrete actions
- F (Non-Disclosure) – No or incomplete reporting
Simplified Process for SMEs
Since April 2024, CDP has offered a specially designed questionnaire for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This version is tailored to the resources and capacities of SMEs, making environmental data disclosure more accessible.
- Fewer data points, simplified format: The questionnaire is more compact and adapted to SME requirements.
- Focus exclusively on climate change: Water security and deforestation can be voluntarily disclosed but will not be scored in 2024.
- Lower reporting barriers: The SME questionnaire is designed for companies with limited personnel and financial resources.
SMEs are scored separately, ranging from SME B to SME D.
What Are the Benefits of CDP Disclosure?
Sustainability and transparency are crucial for long-term business success. Investors, customers, and regulators increasingly demand detailed information on environmental strategies and climate risks. CDP disclosure offers several strategic advantages:
- Better risk management: Companies can identify environmental risks and opportunities more effectively and implement targeted improvements.
- Regulatory compliance: Reporting through CDP helps companies stay prepared for current and future legal requirements.
- Competitive advantage and reputation: Transparent reporting enhances collaboration with business partners, strengthens market position, and builds public trust.
Your Next Steps
- Register and Select a Questionnaire: Sign up on CDP and choose the appropriate questionnaire—either the full corporate version or the simplified SME version.
- Data Collection: Gather all relevant environmental data to establish a solid foundation for disclosure. For the climate questionnaire, a CO₂ Assessment is required
- Define Sustainability Goals & Measures: Set clear targets and assess the effectiveness of your measures
- Gap Analysis – Identify & Close Gaps: Ensure that your current practices align with CDP requirements and address any missing data before submission.
- Submission & Evaluation: Submit your environmental data via the CDP platform and prepare for the assessment.
- Results Analysis & Optimization: Use the rating feedback to identify improvement areas and further develop your sustainability strategy.
We guide you through every step—from data collection and questionnaire completion to optimizing your CDP rating. Let’s enhance your environmental transparency and ESG performance together.
Ready for CDP? We support you in the implementation!
- +41 (0)32 510 14 74
- info@su-consulting.ch
FAQs on CDP
CDP disclosure enhances transparency, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides investors and customers with insights into your sustainability performance.
CDP offers three questionnaires: Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests, each requiring sector-specific disclosures:
- Climate Change: CO₂ emissions (Scope 1-3), climate risks, reduction targets, energy use, and strategy alignment with global frameworks.
- Water Security: Water withdrawal, consumption, discharge, efficiency measures, risks, and management strategies.
- Forests: Sourcing of key commodities (e.g., palm oil, soy, timber), deforestation risks, supply chain traceability, and sustainability commitments.
No, participation is voluntary. However, many investors, customers, and regulators expect sustainability data.
Companies can improve their rating by providing detailed data, setting ambitious goals, implementing effective measures, and integrating sustainability into their business strategy.
We offer expert CDP consulting, from data collection to submission optimization. Request a free consultation today.
Our support includes:
- CDP score analysis and improvement recommendations
- Data collection and processing
- Questionnaire completion and review
- Pre-scoring assessment to maximize your rating