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CDP is a voluntary international disclosure system that gives customers, investors, and other stakeholders a path to from companies, cities, states, countries, and public authorities. Since it was founded in 2000, the organization¡¯s influence has grown steadily. More than 24,000 companies submitted disclosures to CDP in 2024.?

The organization uses companies¡¯ self-reported data to assign a score and compile its ¡°A List,¡± which highlights leaders in environmental transparency and action. High-profile organizations like AstraZeneca, L¡¯Or¨¦al, and Mitsubishi Electric are among the entities that¡¯ve earned ¡°A List¡± status for multiple years.

Below, we¡¯ll cover how CDP¡¯s framework works, how it aligns with other initiatives, and why organizations should disclose through CDP. For a detailed step-by-step approach to CDP reporting, read our guide here.??

How Does CDP Reporting Work?

CDP assesses responses to questionnaires.?

The process involves a disclosure request and disclosure submission through CDP, resulting in data available for future reports.

When a company receives a request through CDP, it responds by filling out online questionnaires about climate, deforestation, biodiversity, plastics, and water. CDP reviews the completed questionnaires and assigns a score based on both the company¡¯s impacts and the thoroughness and transparency of its responses. CDP then shares the evaluation with the stakeholder(s) who requested the disclosure, along with the reporting business, which has a chance to identify opportunities to improve its impact.?

CDP Disclosure Process

• Step 1: Investors or customers submit a disclosure request through CDP
• Step 2: Companies complete CDP¡¯s online questionnaire
• Step 3: CDP scores the disclosure
• Step 4: Companies review their scores and identify opportunities for improvement?
• Step 5: CDP sends the disclosure to the requesting party?

CDP also has disclosure models that , , and can submit. CDP reporting is voluntary, and any organization is welcome to submit information without a disclosure request.

CDP Scoring

Scoring methodologies differ between CDP¡¯s three questionnaires: , , and . There¡¯s also guidance tailored for , , and .

evaluates reporting organizations by the following categories. Each category represents the levels organizations move through as they work toward environmental stewardship.

1. The ¡°disclosure¡± category focuses on the amount of data provided and its relevance to users.
2. The ¡°awareness¡± category focuses on the thoroughness of an organization¡¯s assessment of how its business converges with environmental challenges.
3. The ¡°management¡± category focuses on evidence given for the way an organization manages its environmental impact.
4. The ¡°leadership¡± category focuses on an organization¡¯s performance in the previous three categories. It looks at the comprehensiveness of actions, risk assessment, and the implementation of strategies to improve environmental impact.

Reporting organizations must attain a minimum score and/or meet a minimum number of criteria at one level before CDP will score the next section. For example, if an organization fails to meet the minimum for the ¡°disclosure¡± level, it will not get a score for any other levels.

There are customized calculation methodologies for each category:

• Disclosure and awareness points are divided by the maximum number of points possible, then multiplied by 100 and rounded to the nearest whole number to convert to a percentage.
• Management and leadership points are calculated based on the weighting for that category determined that year.

CDP sets preliminary benchmark scores that are subject to change if deemed necessary. It may adjust the thresholds to ensure scores accurately reflect the progress of reporting organizations.

CDP creates ¡°A Lists¡± for and to highlight entities that are leading the way with ¡°A¡± scores. If reporting organizations can meet the bare minimum for the first category, they can earn a ¡°D-¡± at the minimum. ¡°F¡± scores are reserved for organizations that fail to provide enough information for CDP to evaluate, including organizations that fail to respond at all.

CDP scoring methodology

The scoring system is also a straightforward method to improve investor relations by showcasing how a company is managing its environmental impacts.? CDP scores give reporting organizations a tangible resource they can provide to stakeholders who incorporate sustainability and social responsibility in their investing decisions.

How Can Organizations Improve Their CDP Scores?

Transparent, comprehensive responses are key.

Organizations can improve their scores by familiarizing themselves with CDP¡¯s scoring methodology, using relevant data to inform their answers and actions, and leaning on external help when needed and accessible.?

Below are a few tips that organizations can follow when starting on their CDP disclosures:

• Understand CDP¡¯s scoring methodology to see what information is needed and what categories you should focus on first for the biggest impact.
• If applicable, leverage scores and insights from previous CDP reports to inform changes and actions needed for future disclosures.
• Get buy-in from relevant staff, board members, and other stakeholders to ensure everyone understands the disclosure¡¯s importance and their role in earning an improved score.
• Set science-based targets (SBTs) based on current data so your organization has measurable and realistic goals.
• Compare progress and goals to peers to see how similar organizations have worked through their CDP disclosure and how they¡¯ve worked to reduce their negative environmental impact.
• Collect accurate scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 information to provide a full set of data for the disclosure.
• Take advantage of additional resources and engagement with CDP¡¯s staff if the budget permits.
• Vet to find support with putting together your disclosure and navigating CDP¡¯s scoring system.

What Does CDP Reporting Require?

Questionnaires are tailored to industries and issues.

CDP requires reporting organizations to submit qualitative and quantitative data showing current impacts and plans to improve. relevant information about climate change, forests, water security, biodiversity, and plastics. These questionnaires can differ between industries. There are also questionnaires for , , and . CDP makes all questionnaires available through their website and will note any changes between reporting years

Reporting entities can turn to tailored guidance for relevant resources:

What Are Examples of Other Resources CDP Provides?

Research insights and engagement campaigns advance sustainability.

CDP provides access to research and engagement campaigns in addition to its scores and reporting platform. These resources support efforts to improve the quality and number of disclosures.

Research Hub

is home to many datasets and reports that illustrate how reporting organizations are taking action. Data is freely available to the public.

Access to this research lets customers and residents see how companies, governments, and public authorities are making progress on their climate goals. Investors can get a closer look at how companies are faring against their peers. Reporting organizations can also use this information to guide their disclosures.

Non-Disclosure Campaign

(NDC) targets companies that have previously failed to respond to CDP disclosure requests. The collaborative effort aims to spur dialogue between stakeholders and non-responding companies and allow financial institutions to encourage organizations to disclose. . In 2024, representing over $21T USD in assets participated in the 2024 Non-Disclosure Campaign, with 1,998 companies asked to disclose (an increase of 26% over the previous year).?

What Are the Different Types of CDP Memberships?

CDP Offers Services for Supply Chains, Reporters, and Capital Market Signatories.?

CDP provides membership for supply chain users, reporter services, and investors. Becoming a member comes with its own set of benefits and access to CDP¡¯s resources. All memberships require a fee and some include different levels of benefits. We¡¯ll break down the three primary membership types below.

Supply Chain

is for companies that want support in assessing emissions in their value chains. CDP allows members to directly request disclosure from suppliers and supports both customers and suppliers throughout the process. They also provide resources and strategies for engaging suppliers.

Here are the benefits Supply Chain members can expect:

• CDP disclosure system benefits help members understand and collect useful and applicable information from suppliers.
• Account management benefits help members take advantage of CDP¡¯s resources and expert team.
• Data and analytics benefits help members make informed decisions and take action with their suppliers¡¯ data.
• Support and training benefits help members engage with and support suppliers with their disclosures.
• Communication benefits help members inform their stakeholders about their CDP Supply Chain membership and how they¡¯re taking action.

Depending on the level of membership (standard, lead, premium), businesses can also get support with more complex issues, like net-zero targets, summaries of each supplier¡¯s performance, and multi-region support. Once information is collected, CDP will evaluate and provide suppliers¡¯ data with its insights each year.

Requesting information from suppliers is an effective strategy for reducing emissions. Indirect emissions created along a company¡¯s value chain are known as scope 3 emissions. Indirect scope 3 emissions from a company¡¯s value chain often make up a large portion of the carbon footprint, and are the most difficult to measure, since they require engagement with many entities, including suppliers.

CDP¡¯s Supply Chain program now helps more than 330 companies manage upstream sustainability impacts. In 2024, over 60,000 suppliers received disclosure requests from CDP Supply Chain members. Engagement from Supply Chain Members drove 43Mt of emission reduction initiatives in 2023 alone. To join the program, companies can reach out to supply.chain@cdp.net.

Reporter Services

CDP¡¯s Reporter Services program is a fee-based membership offering companies support in reporting and managing environmental impacts and risks. Benefits Reporter Services members receive the following:

• Help improve data and plans for mitigating their negative environmental impact. Resources include one-to-one account management, review of the first disclosure draft, and step-by-step guidance for first-timers.
• Data and analytics support, best practices, and benchmarking. Resources include unlimited downloads of responses from companies, access to an interactive analytics tool, and customized data cuts upon request.
• Events and insights to help get ahead of environmental news and trends while also highlighting leadership. Resources include knowledge-sharing and networking events, along with member-exclusive educational webinars.

Full demos are also available for companies that want to see an example of CDP¡¯s analytics tool. There are more than 400 Reporter Services members around the world. Companies can reach out to reporterservices@cdp.net for information about membership.

Capital Markets Signatories

CDP supports investors with policy setting, engagement, research, and other services to ensure that environmental data is integrated into the whole investment process. In 2025, CDP worked with more than 640 Capital Markets Signatories, representing over a quarter of all institutional assets. Through the program, signatories requested disclosure from thousands of companies around the world.?

Benefits for Capital Markets Signatories include:

• Access to CDP disclosure data, including current and historical company responses and scores
• Tools for data extraction, analysis, and identification of key engagement areas

• Option to participate in the Non-Disclosure Campaign and the
• Disclosure progress updates throughout the open disclosure period so companies can know how companies of interest are moving through the process.
• Public acknowledgment for their commitment to engaging companies regarding their environmental-related challenges, so investors can highlight their leadership.
• Modeled scope 1, 2, and 3 datasets for more than 5,500 companies?

Types of CDP memberships include supply chain, reporter services and investors

Is CDP Disclosure Mandatory?

CDP Disclosure is voluntary ¡ª and becoming increasingly the norm.

CDP disclosure isn¡¯t mandatory, but as the world moves toward regulated reporting through frameworks like California¡¯s SB 253 and SB 261 and Europe¡¯s CSRD, environmental transparency is becoming a norm. More than 24,000 companies disclosed through CDP in 2024, and that number has steadily grown since the project launched. Since CDP is aligned with other initiatives, like the TCFD and GHG Protocol, preparing for a CDP disclosure request can also help companies align with other frameworks. Responding thoroughly and transparently to a CDP disclosure request is in a company¡¯s best interest. Carbon data is the cornerstone of CDP climate reporting, so calculating emissions is an important first step.?

Can Private Companies Report to CDP?

CDP offers a private markets reporting platform.?

Private companies can use to report and disclose to the CDP. The program enables financial institutions to use standardized data for baselining and monitoring of investments and lending portfolios. It supports asset owners in engaging with fund managers, and fund managers in engaging with portfolio companies. Private markets have historically lagged behind public markets in sustainability disclosure, but are quickly catching up, thanks to pressures from private equity investors and their LPs.

How Does CDP Make Money and Who Funds CDP?

The nonprofit is funded by grants and fees.?

CDP is primarily funded by government and philanthropic grants, along with administrative and other fees. For example, organizations must pay an administrative fee to submit a disclosure or to become a member of one of CDP¡¯s programs. Fees collected for datasets and other resources also go toward pushing forward CDP¡¯s mission.

How Much Does It Cost To Submit to CDP?

Fees vary based on region and service tiers.

As CDP grew to serve organizations on a global scale, it began asking reporting organizations for these contributions to help fund its operations. Fees for CDP reporting vary based on region and reporting tier. In 2025, fees for reporting in North America range from $3,100 USD to $7,300 USD.?

There are three fee tiers with varying benefits:

1. Enhanced Fee Benefits

• Report through the CDP Portal
• Use CDP's suite of tools, including disclosure frameworks and guidance
• Enjoy communications opportunities resulting from disclosing through CDP
• Receive a CDP Supporter badge to use in your organization¡¯s external communications
• Get your organization¡¯s name listed as a CDP Supporter on CDP¡¯s website
• Receive a pre-paid/priority registration for two people and organization recognition at regional CDP events, where applicable
• Receive a quote from a CDP Director to use in your sustainability communications
• Get increased access to 100 company responses of your choice
• Receive a detailed Comparative Analysis Report to compare your company with 10 peer companies of your choice
• Receive a tailored introduction to a CDP Accredited Solutions Provider
• Get a screening of your top 50 suppliers to understand environmental action in your supply chain

2. Foundation Fee Benefits:

• Report through the CDP Portal
• Use CDP's suite of tools, including disclosure frameworks and guidance
• Enjoy communications opportunities resulting from disclosing through CDP
• Receive pre-paid entry/priority registration to one regional CDP event, where applicable

3. Essential Fee Benefits:

• Report through CDP's Portal
• Use CDP's suite of tools, including reporting frameworks and guidance
• Enjoy communications opportunities resulting from disclosing through CDP

How Does CDP Use These Admin Fees?

Fees maintain and improve the disclosure system.?

CDP uses fees to maintain its online disclosure system, resources, and support. They also use funding to support annual updates to their questionnaire and improve compatibility with other reporting platforms.

How Do Companies Benefit From Funding CDP?

Benchmarking, communications, and improved strategies.?

Funding CDP gives companies access to many services for disclosing environmental information. These are a few benefits companies receive through CDP:

• Benchmark performance against peers
• Highlight sustainability progress through CDP¡¯s globally known platform
• Learn about best practices through stakeholder communities
• Identify strategies to address climate risks and improve overall understanding through disclosure
• Disclose to multiple stakeholders at once
• Take advantage of CDP¡¯s expert staff and resources

How Can Companies Get a Fee Exemption?

Certain disclosure requests and geographies are exempt.

Companies are exempt from fees if they fall under one of the following categories:

1. They have been requested to disclose by:?

• a
• a
• a
• the RE100 initiative?

If an organization has been requested to disclose by one of these and , they will need to pay the fee.

2. Organizations based in Ukraine are currently exempt from paying the admin fee, and the CDP is not accepting the fee from companies based in Russia and Belarus.?

How Does CDP Align With Other Initiatives and Organizations?

Alignment with frameworks like ISSB streamlines reporting.?

CDP aligns with leading global frameworks, like the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). Staying aligned with globally accepted recommendations helps streamline reporting for organizations and cuts down on the time and money needed to assemble reports. It also ensures that reporting organizations are submitting high-quality, comparable, and standardized information.

How Is CDP Aligned With the TCFD?

TCFD pillars inform CDP¡¯s questionnaires.

and pillars to inform their disclosure questionnaires. By disclosing through CDP, reporting organizations can actively apply the TCFD¡¯s recommendations when reporting on their climate-related financial data.

Due to this integration,? CDP has the largest TCFD-aligned collection of environmental data worldwide. This helps further global alignment, since CDP data is used by many entities for decision-making and modeling. Oversight of TCFD has now transitioned to ISSB; you can read more about the transition here.?

What Is the Difference Between the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and CDP?

CDP¡¯s reporting system aligns with GRI standards.

The Global Reporting Initiative develops reporting standards, while CDP manages the global environmental reporting system. CDP is also to standardize disclosures and environmental information. For example, CDP and align with the GRI¡¯s standards.

Leading With Transparency

As environmental disclosure becomes a global business expectation¡ªand in many regions, a regulatory requirement¡ªCDP remains a cornerstone of voluntary transparency and accountability. Its alignment with leading standards like TCFD, ISSB, and GRI makes it a strategic starting point for companies navigating the broader landscape of climate and sustainability reporting. Whether you're preparing for investor scrutiny, aiming to strengthen your environmental strategy, or responding to disclosure requests, engaging with CDP can deliver long-term value. By disclosing through CDP, organizations not only build trust with stakeholders¡ªthey also take a meaningful step toward climate action.