Expert-Guided Carbon Disclosure Project Reporting

CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) is a global non-profit that helps companies measure and disclose their environmental impact. If you’ve been asked to respond, it means a customer, investor, or other business partner (known as a “requestor”) wants transparency into your sustainability practices—often as part of their own climate commitments or supply chain reporting requirements. Responding to CDP helps maintain trust and competitiveness in today’s climate-conscious marketplace.

While CDP disclosure is voluntary, not responding can come with consequences. Many large organizations use CDP participation to assess supplier risk and make sourcing decisions. A non-response may affect your business relationship, future RFP opportunities, or competitive standing. On the other hand, even a first-time response shows you’re taking steps toward transparency—and requestors recognize that progress.

Your CDP score reflects how well your organization discloses environmental data, manages risks, and demonstrates climate leadership. CDP scores responses on a scale from Disclosure (D/D−) to Leadership (A/A−). Key factors that influence your score include:

• Completeness of your response – Have you answered all relevant sections?
• Quality of emissions data – Including verified Scope 1, 2, and (where relevant) Scope 3 data.
• Governance and strategy – Do you have climate oversight, board involvement, or incentives in place?
• Risk management – Are you identifying, assessing, and addressing climate-related risks and opportunities?
• Targets and progress – Have you set meaningful emissions reduction goals and shown results?
• Third-party verification – Is your emissions data independently assured?

Each year, CDP updates its scoring methodology, so staying current and improving your disclosures year over year is key to moving up the scoring ladder.

Improving your CDP score starts with increasing the completeness, quality, and credibility of your disclosure. Key steps include:

• Respond fully and on time – Unanswered sections or late submissions lower your score.
• Verify your data – Third-party assurance boosts scoring in key areas.
• Set science-based targets – CDP favors clear, measurable climate goals.
• Engage leadership – Document climate oversight at the board and executive level.
• Address risks and opportunities – Show how you assess and manage climate-related impacts.
• Demonstrate progress – Highlight emissions reductions and other improvements year over year.

Good.Lab helps companies benchmark their score, close gaps, and build a pathway toward higher scoring tiers like Management and Leadership.

Scope 1 emissions come from direct company operations, Scope 2 are indirect emissions from energy consumption, and Scope 3 emissions include all other indirect emissions across the value chain, such as suppliers and customer activities.

CDP typically opens its disclosure platform in early April each year. The deadline to submit your response and be eligible for scoring is usually in late July, though exact dates can vary.

For 2026, CDP has not yet finalized the deadline, but based on past years, companies should plan to submit by late July or early August to ensure their data is scored and shared with requestors.

Good.Lab can help you get started with 2026 CDP reporting early, avoid last-minute stress, and make sure your submission is complete and compliant before the deadline.

Your CDP score is shared directly with the requestors who asked you to disclose, typically customers, investors, or partners. Whether your score is made public depends on your disclosure settings:

• If you choose to disclose publicly, your response and score will appear on CDP’s website.
• If you opt to disclose privately, only your requestors and CDP will see your submission and score.

You have full control over your disclosure settings during the submission process. Good.Lab can guide you in making the right choice based on your goals and relationships.

While not mandatory, hiring a CDP consultant can simplify the reporting process, ensure compliance with CDP’s complex criteria, and help your company maximize its CDP score.

Preparing a CDP disclosure can be time-consuming, complex, and often overwhelming, especially for first-time reporters or companies trying to improve their scores. A consultant brings clarity and efficiency to the process by helping you focus on what matters most, avoid common mistakes, and ensure your data is complete and accurate. Consultants like Good.Lab can also support emissions calculations, third-party data verification, and alignment with CDP’s scoring criteria. With customer expectations rising and climate regulations evolving, working with an experienced partner helps you submit on time, respond confidently, and unlock real value from your disclosure.