CDP’s 2025 scoring updates are here—and while the core framework remains steady, there are some meaningful refinements that could impact your disclosure strategy. Here’s what companies should know to stay ahead.

Overall Stability, But Sharpened Clarity

CDP hasn’t introduced major structural shifts this year. Instead, the 2025 updates focus on clarifying scoring expectations, improving consistency across sectors, and adjusting terminology to better reflect best practices. These refinements help ensure that disclosures are scored in line with their original intent, reducing confusion while promoting more effective responses.

Key Areas to Watch

1. Sector-Specific Adjustments

• Financial services and electric utilities saw multiple clarifications, especially around risk management, CAPEX breakdowns, and portfolio targets.

• Construction and real estate criteria now include additional detail on life-cycle emissions and net-zero buildings.

• Commodity-intensive sectors (e.g. agri, food, forestry) received new guidance on how to report exclusions and traceability.

2. Essential Criteria Updates

Several identifiers (like EC-CC10 and EC-F3) were clarified to reduce ambiguity and apply appropriate exclusions for specific industries. While the data required hasn’t changed, the way CDP interprets and scores that data is now better documented—critical for Leadership-level scores and beyond.

Functional Changes That Matter

• CDP has standardized how scoring points are presented, clarifying maximum available points at each level.

• Scoring routes are now more clearly labeled as “not applicable” when certain questions don’t apply—especially helpful in multi-theme disclosures.

• Updates to questionnaire logic mean some questions will now only appear if relevant—reducing noise and focusing efforts where they matter.

Disclosure Hotspots

• Scope 2 emissions reporting now includes refined criteria, especially around market-based data.

• Supplier-related data in Scope 3 and water/forest risk assessments is under greater scrutiny, with more emphasis on completeness and coverage.

• CDP is now more explicit about requiring consecutive time horizons for risk identification and alignment with climate transition plans.

Start Early, Review Carefully

With enhanced clarity comes greater accountability. Teams should:

• Review sector-specific changes early.

• Check scoring routes to ensure you’re not missing points due to incomplete answers.

• Align your CDP strategy with updates to major frameworks like TCFD, ISSB, and CSRD, which CDP continues to mirror closely.

Final Thoughts

CDP’s 2025 scoring refresh is less about raising the bar—and more about cleaning the lens. The message is clear: precision matters. Companies that understand the nuance of these changes and respond with clarity will be better positioned to earn top scores and build trust with investors and stakeholders.

Want help navigating the updated scoring? We’re here to help. Let’s make your next CDP disclosure your strongest yet.