#219 How To Unlock CDP A Rating – GHG Verification For Top Carbon Disclosure Ratings

In recent years there has been a growing need for transparency within sustainable action taken by businesses.

This is due to the rampant increase in greenwashing, which only serves to diminish the focus on genuine efforts, in addition to creating a culture of mistrust within stakeholders and consumers.

To combat this, certain organisations have taken on the task of encouraging and supporting the accurate public disclosure of environmental data. Such is the case with today’s focus, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

In this episode Mel Blackmore discusses what the Carbon Disclosure Project is, what is required to earn an A rating, provides some tips on how to get that A rating and explains the pros and cons with getting involved with the project.   

You’ll learn

• What is the Carbon Disclosure Project?
• What are the requirements to achieve an A rating?
• Top tips for earning an A rating in the CDP
• What are the advantages of earning a CDP rating?
• What are the disadvantages of getting involved with the CDP?

Resources

• Carbon Disclosure Project
• Carbonology
• Contribute to Mel’s carbon verification commitment research by taking her Survey

In this episode, we talk about:

[02:05] Episode Summary – Mel discusses the Carbon Disclosure project, including what’s involved with taking part, how to achieve an A rating and the pros and cons of the project.   

[03:00] Why is there a need for the CDP? An increased number of investors and financial institutions, in addition to clients are demanding more than just financial reports. They want to know what a company’s environmental footprint is, and at this point, it’s time to move on beyond simply making pledges.

Ultimately, key stakeholders are looking for a commitment to sustainability and for accessible information to help them understand how an organisation is managing its climate risks and opportunities. This is where CDP comes in.

A key component of getting the coveted A rating within CDP involves independent verification of greenhouse gas emissions.

[04:45] What is the Carbon Disclosure Project? CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s leading environmental disclosure system. For over two decades, it has revolutionized how companies, cities, states, and regions report their environmental impacts. They ask thousands of organizations to disclose data on climate change, water security, and deforestation. This data is then used by investors, purchasers, and policymakers to make informed decisions.

The CDP questionnaire covers a wide range of topics, from governance and strategy to risk management, targets, and of course, greenhouse gas emissions. Companies receive a score from D- to A based on the completeness of their reporting, their level of awareness of environmental issues, their management of those issues, and ultimately, their leadership in addressing them.

[05:40] We want to hear from you: Mel is currently running some research around CDP and the key drivers behind carbon emission verification, and would appreciate your feedback if you have a few minutes to spare.

The results are completely anonymous, and it should only take 5 – 10 minutes. You can take the survey here.

Thank you in advance to any contributors!

[09:10] What is required to achieve an A Rating? – There are a number of key requirements, including:-

1. Comprehensive Disclosure and Data Quality: This is foundational. You need to provide accurate and complete data across all relevant sections of the CDP questionnaire. This includes detailed information on your Scope 1, Scope 2, and increasingly, your Scope 3 GHG emissions.
2. Strong Governance and Strategy: CDP looks for clear evidence that environmental issues are integrated into your company’s core business strategy and that there’s robust board and management oversight of climate-related matters. This means having a defined climate strategy, understanding your climate-related risks and opportunities, and demonstrating how you’re incorporating these into your financial planning.
3. Verified Data: To truly hit that “A” list, your Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, and a significant portion of your Scope 3, must be independently verified. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s an essential criterion for the leadership level. Independent verification provides crucial assurance to stakeholders that your reported emissions data is accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. It also minimises the risk of “Greenwashing”.
4. Science-Based Targets and a Robust Climate Transition Plan: CDP is increasingly emphasizing the need for companies to set ambitious, science-based targets for emissions reductions, aligned with a 1.5°C global warming scenario. In addition, having a publicly available, credible climate transition plan that outlines how you will achieve these targets, including specific actions, metrics, and progress tracking mechanisms, is now a must for “A” list companies.
5. Value Chain Engagement: For many companies, the most significant emissions lie within their supply chain. To achieve an “A” rating, you’ll need to demonstrate robust engagement with your suppliers to measure and reduce their emissions, and address environmental impacts across your entire value chain.
6. Continuous Improvement and Transparency: The “A” rating isn’t a one-off achievement. It reflects a commitment to continuous improvement in your environmental performance and a willingness to be transparent about your journey, including challenges and successes.

[15:05] Top tips for achieving a CDP A Rating:-

Tip 1: Plan Ahead and Start Early. CDP reporting is an annual cycle, and it’s complex. Don’t wait until the last minute! Start gathering your data, assessing your internal processes, and identifying any gaps well in advance. This includes planning for your verification process.

Tip 2: Invest in Robust Data Management Systems. Accurate and comprehensive data collection is paramount. Consider leveraging sustainability software that can help you track, calculate, and manage your GHG emissions data efficiently. This reduces manual errors and streamlines the reporting process.

Tip 3: Understand the Verification Process. This is where an accredited verification body, like Carbonology, becomes invaluable. Verification Bodies work to an internationally recognized standard, typically ISO 14064-3, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of your GHG emissions data. The process involves:

• Defining the scope: What emissions are being verified?
• Data review: Examining your underlying data, methodologies, and calculations.
• Site visits (where applicable): Physically verifying operational data.
• Report generation: Providing an assurance statement on the accuracy of your emissions.

Tip 4: Engage with a CDP-Accredited Verification Body. CDP specifically requires third-party verification from an independent external organization that is accredited and competent. Look for bodies with proven experience and accreditation to international standards like ISO 14064. They can guide you through the process, identify areas for improvement, and ensure your data meets the stringent requirements for leadership points.

Tip 5: Conduct a Gap Analysis. Before you even begin your disclosure, perform a thorough gap assessment against the latest CDP questionnaire and essential criteria. This will highlight areas where your current disclosures fall short and allow you to address them proactively.

Tip 6: Focus on Quality over Quantity. While comprehensive disclosure is important, ensure the quality and accuracy of your data. It’s better to provide high-quality, verified data for a focused set of emissions than to report broadly with unverified or unreliable numbers.

Tip 7: Train Your Team. Ensure your internal team understands the CDP requirements and best practices for sustainability reporting and data collection. Building internal capacity is essential for maintaining high-quality disclosures year after year.

[20:35] The pros of voluntary disclosures:

Enhanced Reputation and Brand Value: Disclosing and performing well on platforms like CDP showcases your commitment to environmental responsibility. This can significantly boost your reputation among customers, employees, and the wider public, attracting conscious consumers and talent.

Risk Management and Resilience: The disclosure process forces companies to identify and assess their environmental risks – from climate change impacts to resource scarcity. This proactive approach allows for better risk mitigation strategies, building greater business resilience.

Cost Savings and Operational Efficiency: The process of measuring and managing environmental impacts often reveals opportunities for greater efficiency, such as reduced energy consumption, waste reduction, and optimized resource use, leading to tangible cost savings.

Competitive Advantage: Being a leader in environmental transparency can differentiate your company in the marketplace, especially as sustainability becomes a key consideration for clients and supply chain partners.

Competitive Advantage: Being a leader in environmental transparency can differentiate your company in the marketplace, especially as sustainability becomes a key consideration for clients and supply chain partners.

Preparation for Future Regulation: Voluntary disclosure puts you ahead of the curve. As environmental regulations become increasingly stringent globally, companies with established reporting mechanisms will be better prepared to meet mandatory requirements.

Innovation and Strategic Planning: The disclosure process encourages long-term strategic planning around environmental impact, driving innovation in products, services, and processes.

Benchmarking and Peer Learning: CDP provides a framework for measuring and tracking your performance over time and allows you to benchmark yourself against industry peers, identifying areas for improvement and learning from best practices.

[14:15] The cons of voluntary disclosures?:

Resource Intensive: Comprehensive ESG reporting, especially to the level required for an “A” rating, can be costly and time-consuming, particularly for smaller companies with limited resources. It requires dedicated personnel, data collection, and often external consulting or verification services.

Risk of Greenwashing: If disclosure isn’t backed by genuine action and verified data, there’s a significant risk of “greenwashing” – providing a misleading impression of your sustainability efforts. This can lead to reputational damage, loss of trust, and even legal scrutiny if claims are found to be unsubstantiated. This is precisely why independent verification is so crucial.

Lack of Accountability (without verification): Without external verification or assurance, the reliability and accuracy of self-reported data can be questioned, diminishing the value and trustworthiness of the disclosure. This is a major concern for investors who demand the same robustness for non-financial data as they do for financial data.

Potential for Negative Public Scrutiny: Once you disclose, your data is public. This means your environmental performance, or lack thereof, can be scrutinized by activists, media, and the public. Companies must be prepared to address any critical feedback.

If you’d like any assistance with carbon verification, get in touch with Carbonology, they’d be happy to help!

We’d love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here’s how:

• Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one.

Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes:

Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List