The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is the largest database of self-reported corporate climate change information in the world.  The CDP’s mission is to work with companies to create long-term prosperity that preserves, rather than destroys, the natural world.  Fundamentally, the CDP allows companies and cities to measure, manage, and disclose their environmental information, creating greater transparency while simultaneously responding to the demands of stakeholders.  

More than 50 purchasing organizations including Dell, PepsiCo, and Walmart are using the CDP system to affect change within their supply chains.  Many worldwide suppliers are now being asked to respond to the CDP at the behest of their buyer.  These suppliers will receive a Disclosure Score from the CDP that may be viewed by the purchasing organization.  It is therefore imperative that suppliers submit a high quality response to the CDP that nets them the highest Disclosure Score possible.

The Disclosure Score is a summation of the extent of a company’s response to the CDP Questionnaire based on a 100-point scale.  The Score evaluates both the depth and breadth of the company’s response in several areas including measurement of carbon emissions, communications about climate-related behavior, and third-party verification.  The Score is an important benchmarking metric for both reporting companies and other stakeholders.  

Specific scores reflect the levels of experience and/or commitment to emissions disclosure that a company has made.



How can you increase your Disclosure Score?  We have a few easy-to-implement suggestions:

1. Answer as many questions as you can.

When completing any kind of sustainability scorecard, there is a fine line between disclosure and complete transparency.  We recommend that you view your sustainability journey as a progressive pathway that you are traveling – even if that sometimes means that you’re only taking baby steps.

2. Be specific.

Complete answers that include details, references, relevant attachments, and touch on all points of the question are the most likely to improve your Disclosure Score.  Be rigorous in your process; this not only helps your Score (and potentially the relationship with your buyer), but will also help you in future, related endeavors.

3. Be thorough.

It is important for the quality of your Questionnaire to disclose as much information as possible.  This includes identifying multiple risks and opportunities, all emission sources (including Scope 3), and emission reduction targets.  Be sure you devote enough time to completing the Questionnaire thoroughly.

For more information on the CDP submission process, including additional reporting guidelines, we invite you to:

Download our new comprehensive CDP Submission Best Practices Guide

The CDP reporting deadline of July 31, 2012 is rapidly approaching.  As an official, accredited consultancy partner to the CDP, Renewable Choice can help your company prepare your Questionnaire or measure your greenhouse gas emissions with our easy-to-use carbon accounting software, Mosaic™.  Let us help you with your 2012 CDP reporting today!