CDP Reporting Guidance
Helping organisations navigate the CDP disclosure process
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 responses each year across a variety of sectors and all questionnaire themes. Anthesis services over ten A-List clients.
The calue 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 in 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 support
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
- Support on Investor & Supply Chain reporting across the CDP Climate Change, Water Security, and Forests themes
- Project management, including CDP response writing and data collection
- Climate & water risk analysis
- CDP gap analysis & mock scoring assessments – to predict CDP score results before submission, close any point gaps, and recommend actions for improvement
- Peer benchmarking, stakeholder engagement, and supplier engagement support
- Deep Sector Expertise – Supporting clients across industries, from tech and finance to manufacturing and retail
- Final Portal Submission Support – A seamless process from start to finish
- CDP Alignment with Long-Term Strategy – Helping clients align CDP reporting with broader ESG frameworks and regulatory trends
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