Insights from a Sustainability Expert: How Companies can Improve their CDP Rating

Anne Wulfhorst has been working for Sunhat as a Sustainability Expert since November 2024 and enriches the team with her experience in the field of sustainability.

She gained experience in the sustainability department of Deutsche Bahn and knows the challenges of sustainability reporting. Before joining Sunhat, she worked on topics such as CDP and emissions calculation. She is therefore able to respond to the problems of our customers and support them in better tackling data processes.

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Why is a good CDP rating important for companies?

Above all, a good CDP rating strengthens the trust of stakeholders. Companies show that they take responsibility and are transparent with their environmental data — this has a positive effect on their public image and relationships with investors, customers and business partners.

Furthermore, CDP disclosure can open doors to new markets. More and more large clients are demanding insights into the climate strategies of their suppliers. And investors are also using CDP data to better assess risks and make informed decisions.

In addition, the CDP process helps companies to systematically analyze environmental and climate risks. This is not only relevant for risk management, but also for strategic alignment: Where do we stand? Where do we want to go? And how do we measure progress?

Another aspect is regulatory preparation: CDP is based on international frameworks such as TCFD, CSRD and the EU taxonomy. This means that companies that deal with CDP at an early stage are better prepared for upcoming reporting obligations.

And last but not least: the data collection for the CDP questionnaire creates transparency — and reveals optimization potential, for example in energy consumption or the use of resources.

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How can CDP support companies in times of regulatory uncertainty?

In a rapidly changing regulatory environment, CDP provides companies with guidance and certainty. This is mainly due to the fact that the questionnaire is internationally harmonized - it takes up central requirements of the CSRD, the EU taxonomy, the ISSB standards and the TCFD recommendations.

This means that those who report in accordance with the CDP today will be better prepared tomorrow. The data collected can be used efficiently for various statutory reporting obligations — and that saves time and effort. Especially if you use software for your ESG data and make use of these synergies. 

CDP also ensures consistency in the database. Companies record relevant information in a structured, verifiable and comparable way. This creates trust - both internally and externally.

Especially in uncertain times, this sends a strong signal: voluntary, high-quality CDP disclosure shows that a company is capable of acting, takes risks seriously and manages sustainability professionally.

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What options are there for improving your CDP rating?

A key first step is to understand the CDP methodology in detail. Only those who know how they are assessed can work specifically towards improving their score.

This is followed by a thorough gap analysis: Where do we stand? Which requirements do we already meet? Where are there gaps? It is important to look not only at the CDP data, but also at existing sustainability reports, ESG ratings such as EcoVadis or internal strategy papers.

Data quality is an often underestimated success factor. Without valid, complete data — especially for scopes 1, 2 and 3 — it will be difficult to meet the requirements. We therefore recommend developing a clear data collection strategy and introducing digital systems for collecting, verifying and updating data. Here we also work with our partner Cozero in the area of the special requirements of emissions recording (CCF & PCF).  

Internal review and quality assurance processes are also essential: this is the only way to avoid contradictions, errors or ambiguities.

And finally: CDP should not be seen as a one-off task, but as a continuous process. It requires fixed responsibilities, regular reviews and the integration of the CDP process into company-wide ESG management.

“With the browser extension for CDP, Sunhat has enabled us to have an efficient response process, whether by displaying responses from the previous year or matching content from business reporting.”

Simon Eggenberger, Project Manager Corporate Sustainability, Geberit AG

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What exactly distinguishes Sunhat's CDP support from other providers?

We are a CDP Accredited Solutions Provider. This means that companies working with Sunhat benefit not only from easy-to-use AI-based software, but also from direct access to CDP-specific expertise.

Our approach combines human ESG expertise with AI applications. For example, our automated text suggestions, data comparisons and gap analyzes enable companies to work much faster and more accurately.

What's more, it doesn't matter whether you want to answer CDP for the first time or want to improve your rating — we have been supporting companies with their annual disclosure for years — from data collection to answering and uploading. Regardless of whether they are reporting for the first time or already have a CDP A rating.

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“Sunhat provided exactly the right support, offering a platform that seamlessly integrated our data, enhanced analytics, and improved reporting efficiency. Their services went beyond just delivering a tool. They provided expert guidance that helped us interpret and optimize our sustainability data. Thanks to their structured approach, we were able to streamline internal collaboration and gain deeper insights into our environmental impact.”

Markus Wegele, Sustainability Manager, Tricor Group

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Finally, what advice would you give to companies that are still struggling with CDP?

If you see the process as strategic ESG management and not just a compulsory exercise, you will gain transparency, control and future security.

And: get support! Preferably, of course, a combination of consulting and software, as with Sunhat. 

Companies typically invest between 250 and 600 hours for CDP — from data collection to final submission. With Sunhat, this process is two to three times faster - and our customers achieve demonstrably better results.