What Is the CDP Questionnaire? Key Benefits and Reporting Guide

What Is the CDP Questionnaire?

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), now officially known as the Carbon Disclosure Platform, was established in 2000 as a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental disclosure and action. Recognized as the world’s leading climate research provider by global investors, CDP promotes transparency and accountability in corporate environmental governance.

CDP invites companies to disclose environmental data through a standardized questionnaire covering climate change, water security, forests, biodiversity, and plastics. The objective is to help organizations improve environmental performance while providing investors and stakeholders with valuable ESG insights.

Why Should Companies Complete the CDP Questionnaire?

Filling out the CDP questionnaire provides strategic and practical benefits:

• Supports long-term sustainability planning
• Encourages scenario-based analysis to identify and manage environmental risks
• Facilitates emissions reduction across the value chain
• Guides environmental action from data disclosure to implementation
• Serves as a key reference for ESG investment decisions
• Enhances the EcoVadis score through supporting evidence
• Strengthens brand reputation and competitive edge

CDP Questionnaire Framework

The CDP questionnaire aligns with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and integrates other major international standards such as:

• IFRS Climate-related Disclosures (ISSB IFRS S2)
• TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures)

In April 2024, CDP streamlined its reporting process by combining its separate questionnaires for climate, water, and forests into a single, comprehensive framework. This new framework also integrates biodiversity and plastics issues, reducing redundant questions and simplifying how companies report. While consolidated, companies’ performance on climate, water, and forest disclosures will still be scored separately.

Core Areas of Disclosure

1. Climate Change: Annual GHG emissions, targets, governance, and mitigation actions
2. Water Security: Risks related to water usage and operational water efficiency
3. Forests: Deforestation risk management and commodity traceability
4. Biodiversity: Impacts on biodiversity and strategies for conservation
5. Plastics: Plastic footprint and reduction measures

SME Questionnaire Structure (Screenshot Source: Official CDP Website)

2025 CDP Reporting Timeline

• April 28: Invitations for supplier responses can be sent
• June 16: The CDP response platform opens for submissions
• September 15: Submit by this date to have your disclosure scored
• November 7: Final deadline for submissions (submissions after September 15 will not be scored)

CDP Scoring System

CDP evaluates disclosures using a four-tier scoring system that indicates a company’s progress in environmental transparency and action:

• D-/D (Disclosure level): Companies at this level provide only partial or basic information
• C-/C (Awareness level): Companies show they recognize environmental risk and have a general understanding of them
• B-/B (Management level): Companies have effective response measures in place to respond to environmental challenges
• A-/A (Leadership level): Companies demonstrate best practices, innovation, and a comprehensive integration of environmental considerations into their business

Scores are shared with the investors and customers who requested the disclosure. Additionally, companies have the option to publicly display their results on the CDP website.

Our CDP Support Services

At REACH24H, we offer tailored services to assist companies with CDP reporting and long-term environmental strategies:

• Annual GHG emissions inventory and data verification
• Preparation of supporting documents for the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire
• Professional questionnaire completion and submission support

About Us

As a committed partner in sustainable development, REACH24H leverages decades of regulatory compliance experience, in-depth industry knowledge, and a robust expert network to support corporate climate action and low-carbon transitions.

Our CDP support team includes:

• Certified GHG auditors (CCAA)
• Carbon label evaluation experts
• Graduates from the top 50 global universities with both academic and practical experience

REACH24H holds multiple credentials in the carbon field, including:

• Authorized Carbon Label Evaluation Body
• AAA Low Carbon Service Provider

As a vital link between enterprises, industry associations, and government stakeholders, REACH24H is dedicated to helping businesses seize opportunities in the green economy and achieve sustainable growth through effective environmental strategies. Please feel free to contact us at customer@reach24h.com.