CDP 2019 Climate Change scoring methodology

Introduction

The scoring methodology provides a score which assesses progress towards environmental stewardship as reported by a company's CDP response. The score assesses the level of detail and comprehensiveness of the content, as well as the company's awareness of climate change issues, management methods and progress towards action taken on climate change as reported in the response.

Essential reading

This methodology should be used in conjunction with the CDP climate change questionnaire guidance 2019, and the "Introduction to CDP scoring 2019" document. It is strongly recommended to familiarize yourself with the contents of both the 2019 guidance and the 2019 Scoring introduction document before using the scoring methodology. Please note that the "Introduction to scoring 2019" document contains information essential for the understanding and correct use of this scoring methodology.

Leadership

Several questions are scored for Leadership (please see Question level overview tab for further details) and a minimum threshold of points must be met to achieve the Leadership band.

In order to achieve A List status:

- A minimum threshold score of at least 65% of Leadership points must be achieved;

- The verification of both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (reported in C10.1a) is mandatory; in addition, verification needs to cover at least 70% of total Scope 1 and 2 emissions with no significant relevant exclusions (reported in C6.4);

- Gross Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission figures need to also be reported (in C6.1 and 6.3 respectively);

- Your response must also be public upon submission through the ORS.

If maximum possible points are scored at Disclosure level, 1 Leadership point is awarded.

Primary sector scoring

Companies will only be scored on their primary questionnaire sector. This means that if more than one set of sector questions applies to your company, not all questions will be scored. Sector specific questions will be labelled to indicate which sector(s) they apply to. However, we encourage you to respond to all questions that apply to your company.

The sector-based approach allows CDP to make more meaningful assessments of companies' responses, incorporating each sector's characteristics and nuances, resulting in a score that reflects the company's progress in environmental stewardship and enabling better benchmarking against other companies.

Cross checks

In cross-check criteria within or between questions, unless another limit is explicitly stated, a variance limit of 5% will be used when comparing figures.

Status of this methodology

This methodology is intended to provide guidance to companies on how their response will be scored. In common with other scoring processes of this type, we expect to make future adjustments in light of the application of the methodology to the responses received.

“CDP reserves the right to remove, amend or alter scoring criteria as displayed in the scoring methodology at any time during the disclosure cycle, without notice or notification. Such changes will only be made in exceptional circumstances when necessary to ensure that the methodology remains fair, impartial and effective for the purpose of assessing progress towards environmental stewardship.”

CDP Climate Change Scoring Methodology 2019 - Version Control