CDP – The Carbon Disclosure Project simply explained
CDP is one of the world’s leading platforms for environmental and climate data. Companies, cities, and regions use CDP to transparently report on their climate risks, emissions, and strategies. For many companies, CDP reporting is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for financing, partnerships, and regulatory compliance.
ecos helps Swiss companies implement their CDP climate reporting in a strategic and efficient manner. On this page, you’ll find an introduction to the topic—and learn how to best prepare for it.
What is the CDP?
The CDP is an international nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive system for disclosing environmental information. Its goal is to provide investors, companies, and other stakeholders with comparable data, thereby making progress on climate action measurable.
Companies that report to the CDP complete one or more CDP questionnaires each year on the following topics:
- Climate Change is the questionnaire most frequently completed by companies.
- Water security is also addressed by many companies when water-related risks or opportunities arise.
- Deforestation (Forests) is also relevant for companies with supply chains that rely on forest-based raw materials.
- Plastics & Biodiversity has been included in the questionnaire since 2025, but has not yet been evaluated.
The CDP is constantly refining its standards. Several changes were made for 2026 to make reporting more relevant and efficient. You can find more information on this in this news article.
Why is CDP reporting important?
More and more investors, business partners, and customers are paying attention to how companies manage their climate risks. A good CDP score or a high CDP rating signals transparency and a sense of responsibility and is increasingly becoming the basis for investment decisions and partnerships.
CDP Disclosure helps companies refine their climate strategy, identify opportunities, and meet regulatory requirements such as the TCFD framework.
Would you like to specifically improve your CDP score?
We’re here to help you every step of the way!
CDP Score, Rating, and Ranking: What’s Behind Them?
Responses to the CDP questionnaire are evaluated and result in a CDP score ranging from A to D. This score forms the basis for the CDP rating and the CDP ranking among comparable companies. A high score indicates that a company understands, manages, and transparently reports on climate risks.
Many companies are actively working to improve their CDP rating in order to meet investor requirements and stand out from the competition.
How the CDP questionnaire works
The annual CDP questionnaire is comprehensive. Among other things, it asks about:
- Emissions data and reduction targets
- Governance structures
- Climate risk analyses
- Measures to reduce emissions
- Supply chains and Scope 3
The topic of CDP supply chains is becoming increasingly important: Large companies are increasingly requiring their suppliers to disclose CDP data as well. This directly affects many Swiss SMEs.
Completing this process requires careful alignment of data, goals, and strategies. Many companies therefore opt for expert guidance to ensure the process is efficient and focused on achieving their objectives.
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