CDP 2025: Why staying engaged matters
What’s new in the 2025 CDP cycle?
This year’s release reflects an evolution rather than a revolution. The overarching structure remains familiar, but targeted updates deepen the alignment with other global standards—especially ESRS and IFRS S2.
Key changes include:
- Refinements, not restructuring: The 2025 questionnaire brings targeted clarifications — not major content changes — including improved definitions (e.g., Target, CapEx, Capacity Building), clearer instructions, and better explanation of reporting boundaries and dependencies.
- Smoother logic and reporting flow: Updates across modules fix dropdown inconsistencies, streamline question dependencies, and enable easier attachments (e.g. for verification in Module 7), all designed to reduce reporting friction.
- More robust transition plan disclosure: CDP now explicitly states that companies can use their CDP response to demonstrate the existence of a transition plan, with additional guidance encouraging integration of these plans into annual or financial filings for credibility.
The updated scoring approach for 2025 has not yet been released, but current changes aim to support smoother and more transparent disclosure.
CDP: Still essential amidst market volatility
In an era where ESG is becoming increasingly politicized, some companies are tempted to “wait and see.” But CDP’s continued alignment with regulatory and investor expectations tells a different story.
- CDP’s alignment with ESRS ensures that much of the data you disclose here can be reused in CSRD reports — saving time and building internal capacity.
- CDP’s climate module mirrors IFRS S2, meaning companies disclosing here are well-positioned to meet investor-grade standards.
- As voluntary and mandatory reporting systems consolidate, CDP stands out as a future-proof tool for staying ahead of evolving stakeholder demands — from suppliers to capital markets.
In short: those who continue to disclose are already building resilience for what comes next.
Lessons from a 2024 disclosure season
Let’s be honest, the 2024 CDP season tested everyone’s resilience. The roll-out of a new reporting platform, changes to questionnaire logic, and moving deadlines created a challenging environment for even the most experienced disclosers. On top of that, scoring methodology updates were introduced mid-season, leaving many teams scrambling to adapt.
At Position Green, we supported clients through those hurdles — helping them stay focused, strategic, and on course. And while last year’s experience highlighted growing pains, we’re confident that CDP has taken those lessons on board. The 2025 season promises greater clarity, stability, and continuity.
How Position Green can help
CDP scoring continues to reward depth, clarity, and integration. Companies looking to raise their score — or maintain A List status — will benefit from investing in the right parts of the questionnaire.
We recommend prioritizing these high-impact areas for strategic improvement:
| Module | Why it matters | What can you do |
| 2. Environmental risks & opportunities | Shows integration of ESG into risk management. | Conduct or update a double materiality assessment. Align with ERM processes. Develop a structured risk/opportunity register. |
| 3. Risk disclosures | Demonstrates understanding of climate and environmental impacts on the business. | Assess you risks under different climate scenarios and quantify financial exposure. Link risks to business metrics. |
| 4. Governance & incentives | Proves board-level oversight and accountability on ESG topics. | Map ESG roles across leadership. Set KPIs. Review incentive structures tied to sustainability goals. |
| 5. Transition plans | Shows readiness to manage climate transition and investor expectations. | Develop a formal transition plan with targets, levers, and milestones. |
| 7. GHG accounting | Backbone of climate disclosures | Review methodologies. Improve Scope 3 data. Commission verification if possible. |
| 5.11 – Value chain engagement | Highlights proactive supplier/customer engagement on ESG. | Launch engagement programs. Set data expectations. Provide training or capacity-building support. Follow-up. |
In many cases, these areas benefit from dedicated projects — whether it’s defining a transition plan, improving governance documentation, or building up Scope 3 estimation methodologies – at Position Green, our Advisory can help you target the right priorities, while making the most out of data gathered in our Software.
Final thought: The case for consistency
Even in uncertain regulatory environments, consistency of disclosure is becoming the new competitive advantage. CDP remains one of the few platforms that consolidates climate, water, and forest disclosures—giving a holistic view of environmental performance and ensuring organizations are not just compliant but credible.
If your company is navigating competing demands — voluntary, mandatory, or market-driven — we at Position Green are ready to help you unlock the strategic value of your CDP disclosure.
We’ve guided over 20 organizations across sectors through their CDP disclosures, with five of them making or maintaining their place on the coveted A List.
Our team of experts know what it takes to turn a checkbox exercise into a strategic asset — and the latest updates from CDP only reinforce that opportunity.
Want to see how it works in practice? Discover how Volvo Cars reached the highest possible CDP score.
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Pola Nachyla
Associate Manager & Sustainability Manager
Position Green
