How is a CDP climate score calculated, from D to A?

CDP scores each answer at four levels: Disclosure (D), Awareness (C), Management (B) and Leadership (A). Your points at each level are turned into a percentage, you must pass one level to be scored on the next, and an A also needs essential criteria such as third-party verification of emissions.

What each level rewards

• Disclosure (D): you answered the questions fully. Blank or skipped questions earn nothing.
• Awareness (C): your answers show you understand how climate issues affect your business, for example you have assessed risks.
• Management (B): you act on it, with policies, targets, reduction projects and Scope 1 and 2 data that is complete.
• Leadership (A): best practice, such as verified emissions, science-based targets, a credible transition plan and engagement with your value chain.

How the percentages become a letter

Each scored question carries points at one or more levels, and CDP weights categories such as governance, targets and emissions. Points earned at a level are divided by points available at that level. A minimum percentage at one level is needed before the next level counts. The final letter is the highest level you passed, and a lower percentage within that level gives the minus grade, such as B minus instead of B.

A company that was asked to respond and did not, or gave too little to score, gets an F. That is a mark of non-response, not a measure of emissions.

Why a supplier with good data can still get a C

Management and Leadership points depend on actions and evidence, not just numbers. A supplier that reports accurate Scope 1 and 2 but has no target, no risk assessment and no Scope 3 screening tops out early. The fastest gains usually come from a board-approved target, a documented risk process, and screening the Scope 3 categories that matter.

What an A needs beyond points

CDP sets essential criteria for the A List. They include a public response, third-party verification of Scope 1 and 2 emissions and of part of Scope 3 to a standard CDP accepts, and other criteria CDP lists for the cycle. Self-declared figures, however careful, do not earn the verification points. Read the current scoring methodology on cdp.net for the exact shares required.

Hypothetical example: reading level percentages

• Disclosure: 76 of 80 points = 95%
• Awareness: 54 of 72 points = 75%
• Management: 33 of 66 points = 50%
• Leadership: 6 of 40 points = 15%
• If the pass mark to move up were 80% (hypothetical), this response would pass Disclosure, stop at Awareness, and score in the C band

Point totals and the pass mark are invented to show the mechanics. CDP publishes the real thresholds and weightings in its scoring methodology for each cycle.

What Senseible does here

Senseible gives you Scope 1 and Scope 2 figures from your invoices and bills, with the source document and factor behind each line, which supports the Disclosure and Management questions on emissions. Its data is self-declared: a "Verified" status in Senseible means rule checks passed, not the third-party verification CDP Leadership points require.

• A customer sent a CDP request: what to do
• CDP SME or full questionnaire?
• Limited vs reasonable assurance

Sources: CDP Scoring Introduction and climate change scoring methodology, current cycle (cdp.net)

Last reviewed 2026-10-16. CDP updates scoring thresholds, weightings and A List essential criteria each cycle; recheck the current methodology.