CDP 2026 Is Here – What You Need to Know

Spring is here, and that means the CDP reporting season has arrived! The 2026 questionnaire and methodology are released this week, making now the right time to start planning your disclosure cycle.

CDP can feel like a lot to take on, but it’s also a genuinely useful strategic tool. In recent years, CDP has aligned increasingly closely with other reporting frameworks like the CSRD – with one key difference: CDP evaluates how far along you are in your sustainability journey, not just what you disclose. Reporting to CDP gives you the chance to benchmark against best practice, identify gaps, and drive real change. With growing expectations from investors, customers, and regulators, it’s also becoming an important way to demonstrate that your sustainability work is progressing.

Key dates for this year’s disclosure:

• Week 17: Questionnaire and methodology released
• Week 18: Scoring guidance released
• Week 25: Online portal opens
• Week 38: Portal closes
• Week 49: Scores published

What’s changing in 2026
CDP 2026 doesn’t bring any structural overhaul but introduces several updates pointing toward greater integration of nature, resilience, and alignment with other frameworks. Here’s what’s new:

• Ocean-related questions integrated into existing questions: included in the disclosure but not scored in 2026.
• Expansion of the forests module: More commodities are now covered, raising the bar on traceability and supply chain oversight.
• More detailed questions on plastics to accelerate the shift toward a circular economy and sustainable material flows.
• New SME A score: Alongside updated forests and water questions adapted for small and medium-sized companies.
• Greater focus on climate adaptation and resilience: Moving beyond identifying risks toward demonstrating concrete action and business integration.
• Preparations for LSRS alignment: Data can be collected but won’t be scored in 2026.
• Updates to energy reporting: Clarifications on how energy data should be reported for RE100 organisations, plus minor adjustments for all organisations to better align with the GHG Protocol (GHGP).

Tips for improving your score
A strong CDP score is the result of strong sustainability work – transparency, clear targets, and concrete action – but working with CDP in a structured way also makes a big difference. Here are the most important steps:

1. Fill in every single field
It sounds obvious, but incomplete responses are one of the most common reasons for unnecessary score losses.

2. Map against Essential Criteria – at every level
Don’t just focus on the level you’re aiming for. Check the levels below it too, and make sure all foundational criteria are met otherwise a higher score simply isn’t on the table.

3. Identify your weaknesses by doing a gap analysis
Always start with your previous year’s score report and ask: where did we lose points, and why?

4. Focus your efforts where the points are
Not all questions carry equal weight. Identify which ones give the most points and compare your responses directly against the scoring criteria to make sure you’re getting the points you deserve.

5. Think beyond this year’s disclosure
Once the portal closes, the real work begins. What concrete steps are needed to improve next year? That might mean stronger governance, new targets, or deeper supplier engagement.

In short, CDP 2026 brings no major structural changes – but its updates point clearly in one direction. Organisations that use this year’s disclosure to strengthen their data quality and processes are laying the groundwork for a more resilient sustainability programme for years to come.

2050 works with organisations throughout the CDP process – from preliminary scoring and gap analysis to concrete next steps. A structured review like this almost always surfaces clear opportunities to improve your score in the next cycle.

Welcome to watch our recorded webinar (in Swedish) or contact an expert today!