CDP Reporting Guidance
Helping organisations navigate the CDP disclosure process
Understanding CDP Reporting Requirements
CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a not-for-profit that helps organisations, such as investors, companies, cities, states, and regions, disclose their environmental impact. Organisations are requested by investors and/or customers to respond to the CDP Corporate Questionnaire across three themes: Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests. Additionally, organisations may respond to Biodiversity and Plastics themes.
The questionnaire evaluates governance, strategies, targets & performance, risk, opportunity, impact & dependency management, supply chain engagement, and other quantitative metrics. CDP scores responses on a scale from F to A for Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests. Organisations who achieve an A are recognised on CDP’s A List for exceptional performance.
In 2024, 24,000+ organisations disclosed through CDP, reflecting its increasing relevance despite the rise of mandatory reporting regulations. CDP continues to be a trusted framework for sustainability disclosure, helping companies strengthen their reporting capabilities ahead of regulatory requirements.
As an Accredited Solutions Provider for the CDP, Anthesis is proud to support over 80 CDP reporting responses each year across a variety of sectors and all questionnaire themes. Anthesis services over ten A-List clients.
The value of disclosing to CDP
- Investors care about CDP: In 2024, over 700 Capital Market signatories, representing over US$142 trillion in assets requested CDP information from nearly 25,000 companies worldwide.
- CDP is a leading source of environmental information: CDP data is regularly used by financial institutions, including Bloomberg Terminal, STOXX, FTSE/Russell, MSCI ESG, ISS ESG, Google Finance, and Amundi.
- Provides insight to develop climate strategies: CDP provides a framework for identifying and closing gaps in corporate ESG performance – from governance to target setting.
- Opportunity for public recognition: CDP’s annual scoring provides the opportunity to be recognised on their coveted A-List, which highlights corporate leadership in sustainability.
The expanding role of CDP reporting
As the regulatory landscape evolves, organisations are facing increasing pressure to disclose comprehensive and standardised ESG data. While frameworks such as CSRD, ISSB, and the SEC Climate Rule are emerging as mandatory reporting standards, CDP remains a foundational disclosure platform that helps companies prepare for compliance and maintain transparency.
- 24,000+ responders in 2024: demonstrating CDP’s continued relevance despite rising regulatory mandates.
- Alignment with global frameworks: CDP’s structure increasingly reflects the disclosure requirements of CSRD/ESRS, ISSB, and TCFD, ensuring that companies can streamline their ESG reporting.
- New focus areas: With biodiversity and plastics disclosures, CDP now provides a more holistic view of environmental impact.
By participating in CDP, organisations can strengthen their ESG reporting capabilities year-over-year and stay ahead of evolving regulations.
New in 2024: Expanded Biodiversity & Plastics Disclosure
CDP has expanded its questionnaire themes to include biodiversity and plastics, reflecting growing investor and regulatory concerns.
- Biodiversity: CDP’s new Biodiversity questionnaire is currently being aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), assessing corporate dependencies on nature, exposure to biodiversity risks, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Plastics: The new Plastics questionnaire enables organisations to disclose their use, production, and management of plastic materials, supporting circular economy principles and addressing pollution concerns.
With these additions, CDP remains a leading platform for holistic environmental disclosure, helping companies prepare for future sustainability reporting expectations.
CDP reporting services
As an Accredited Solutions Provider for the CDP, Anthesis supports clients throughout their CDP journeys, providing both strategic and technical expertise in a partnership to improve ESG program performance and scores. We guide clients new to the reporting process, support existing reporters to maximise scores, and maximise CDP leaders’ efforts toward target setting, environmental stewardship, and innovation.
Our CDP services include
- Comprehensive Reporting Support: Guidance and hands-on support for investor and supply chain disclosures across CDP’s Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests questionnaires.
- Project Management & Response Development: Full-cycle project management, including data collection, CDP response drafting, and internal coordination to ensure accurate and timely submission.
- Climate & Water Risk Analysis: In-depth assessment of climate and water-related risks and opportunities to support robust, science-based disclosures.
- CDP Gap Analysis & Mock Scoring: Pre-submission scoring simulations to identify point gaps and improvement areas, with tailored recommendations to enhance CDP performance.
- Benchmarking & Engagement Support: Peer benchmarking and strategic support for stakeholder and supplier engagement, to improve transparency and collaboration across your value chain.
- Sector-Specific Expertise: Deep experience across industries including technology, finance, manufacturing, retail, and more.
- Final Submission Support: A seamless submission process, ensuring all documentation is reviewed, optimised, and aligned with CDP’s latest guidance.
- Strategic Alignment: Helping clients align CDP disclosures with long-term ESG strategies, regulatory expectations, and other sustainability frameworks (e.g., TCFD, ISSB, CSRD).
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