Skip to main contentMore companies are recognising the benefits that CDP can bring to their long-term goals, from opening doors to investment to securing new contracts. But too many are missing the mark when it comes to achieving a score that reflects their efforts.
What is CDP?
CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) is the world’s leading environmental disclosure platform, collecting data each year from companies, cities, states and regions on key environmental issues. In 2025, over 23,000 respondents completed CDP questionnaires, representing more than two thirds of global market capitalisation.
The questionnaire aligns with leading disclosure frameworks such as the ISSB standards, the EU’s CSRD, and the TNFD.
* These acronyms are explained below
From 2026, CDP brings multiple environmental themes into a single corporate questionnaire. Companies report across three core themes:
- climate change,
- forests, and
- water security.
Additional voluntary themes include
- plastics,
- biodiversity and
- oceans.
Scores are determined based on the quality and completeness of a company’s disclosures and its progress towards environmental stewardship, from disclosure level through to leadership.
Why disclose?
- Purchasers use CDP to assess their suppliers, and are increasingly mandating disclosure as a pre-requisite for tendering.
- Organisations with a high CDP score can be looked on more favourably by investors.
- Scores can be made public and contribute to ESG ratings, providing the opportunity to enhance reputation and strengthen relationships with customers and other important stakeholders.
- Alignment with best-practise frameworks means that a strong response can also help to meet and future-proof against environmental regulation.
- The stringency of the CDP’s questionnaire can help to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps within a company’s climate data and strategy which can drive business efficiency.
How Envantage can help
We support organisations at every stage of the disclosure process, whether you’re responding for the first time or aiming for the A-List.
Our service is modular, so we can work with you in the areas that matter most:
- Gap Assessment – A detailed analysis of your current data, processes and disclosures against the 2026 questionnaire requirements.
- Scoring Review – An expert review of your prior CDP response with a clear roadmap to improve your score.
- Stakeholder Meetings – Facilitated sessions with your internal teams to gather data, align messaging and build buy-in.
- Response Writing – Full or partial drafting of your CDP submission by specialist writers who are experienced in achieving improved scores.
The acronyms explained:
CDP : Previously known as the Carbon Disclosure Project. The global non-profit running an independent environmental disclosure system.
ISSB : International Sustainability Standards Board. Developing standards for a global baseline of sustainability disclosures, for investors and financial markets
CSRD : Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The EU’s requirement for large companies to report on their social and environmental risks, and their impact on people and the environment
TNFD : Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. Responsible for a set of disclosure recommendations and guidance to encourage business & finance to report and act on their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities.
It’s never too early to prepare for CDP. Too many businesses are still missing the mark when it comes to achieving a score that reflects their efforts.
Get in touch today for a free consultation to get you on the right track for the next disclosure cycle.
Read more about CDP best practice from our expert carbon team: ask for a copy of our CDP guide.
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Harry Cann
Carbon & Energy Consultant
Naomi Duthie
Carbon & Energy Consultant
Liam Maddison
Senior Carbon & Energy Consultant
Tom Anderson
Carbon & Energy Consultant
Sean Roberts
Carbon & Energy Consultant
Thomas Crean
Senior Carbon & Energy Consultant
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