Navigating the CDP 2025 disclosure cycle: Updates, timelines and tips 

“CDP’s 2025 questionnaire brings only minor refinements, but these targeted updates are designed to improve clarity, usability and alignment with global standards – making it essential for companies to stay informed and prepared.” 

The CDP 2025 disclosure cycle is now underway, bringing a series of minor but meaningful updates to the corporate questionnaire and reporting process. While the overall structure remains stable following the major integrations of 2024, this year’s refinements are focused on improving clarity, usability and alignment with leading global frameworks. For companies looking to maintain or enhance their environmental reporting, understanding these changes and the updated timeline is crucial. 

What’s changed in CDP 2025? 

Minimal structural changes, maximum clarity 

The 2025 CDP corporate questionnaire maintains the streamlined, integrated approach introduced last year, combining climate change, forests, water security, plastics and biodiversity into a single, holistic framework. Most data points and question formats remain consistent, ensuring continuity for disclosers. However, several modules feature targeted refinements to enhance guidance and remove ambiguities. 

Key module updates at a glance 

• Module 1 (Introduction): Currency reporting is now mandatory, and new guidance clarifies how to report boundaries when they differ from financial statements. Additional clarifications include portfolio valuation and embedded soy volume calculations. 

• Module 2 (Dependencies, Impacts, Risks & Opportunities): Technical fixes and clearer guidance, especially for supplier tier selection. 

• Module 3 (Risks & Opportunities): Minor edits to dropdown lists and improved relevance for financial services. 

• Module 4 (Governance): Duplicate response options removed, with updated guidance for better alignment and clarity. 

• Module 5 (Business Strategy): New guidance clarifies that CDP responses can serve as evidence of a transition plan, with updates to key definitions and scenario analysis requirements. 

• Module 7 (Climate Change): Improved guidance on energy-related questions and easier attachment of verification documents, plus updates to align with the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM). 

• Modules 8–11 (Forests, Water, Plastics, Biodiversity): Minor refinements to definitions, dropdowns and guidance, with a continued focus on clarity and usability. 

• Modules 12–13 (Financial Services, Sign Off): Minimal changes, mainly to improve definitions and conditional logic. 

 
Companies are assigned questions on climate change, biodiversity and plastics by default, while forests and water modules are triggered based on sector relevance, authority requests or self-assessment. Organisations can also opt in to report on additional themes if desired. 

Scoring methodology 

CDP will continue to score companies individually for climate change, forests and water security in 2025. Plastics and biodiversity remain unscored, but companies are encouraged to collect and report data on these issues. 

CDP 2025 disclosure timeline 

Staying on top of key dates is essential for a successful disclosure: 

Translated versions of the questionnaire and guidance will be available from May, supporting wider participation. 

Strategic implications for companies  

Alignment with global frameworks 

The 2025 updates further align CDP reporting with ESRS (EU Sustainability Reporting Standards) and IFRS S2, enabling companies to leverage their disclosures across multiple regulatory requirements and investor expectations. 

Transition plans and verification 

Companies are encouraged to integrate transition plans into mainstream filings for greater credibility. Enhanced guidance supports more robust and transparent reporting, especially for emissions verification and scenario analysis. 

SME questionnaire stability

The SME questionnaire remains largely unchanged, with minor updates to guidance and logic. Eligibility is based on headcount and revenue, supporting a smooth transition for growing companies. 

Practical tips for a smooth CDP 2025 submission 

• Review the updated guidance and question dependencies early 

• Ensure your reporting boundaries and currency disclosures are consistent across all modules 

• Leverage internal collaboration and ESG data management tools to streamline data collection and submission 

• Consider voluntary disclosure on plastics and biodiversity, even if unscored, to demonstrate leadership and prepare for future regulatory shifts 

• Keep track of deadlines and allocate sufficient time for internal reviews and third-party verification where required 

Conclusion 

While the CDP 2025 disclosure cycle brings only minor changes, these refinements are designed to make environmental reporting more robust, user-friendly and aligned with global standards. By understanding the updates and preparing early, companies can ensure their disclosures remain credible, comprehensive and future-ready. 

Ready to make your CDP 2025 disclosure your strongest yet? Nexio Projects simplifies the process, keeps you ahead of every update and helps you turn compliance into real sustainability impact. Feel free to contact us.  

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References

CDP, 2024. CDP 2025 Questionnaire Preview. [online] Available at: https://www.cdp.net/en/guidance/guidance-for-companies [Accessed 29 Apr. 2025].

CDP, 2024. What’s changed in the 2025 corporate questionnaire? [online] Available at: https://www.cdp.net/en/articles/general/whats-changed-in-the-2025-corporate-questionnaire [Accessed 29 Apr. 2025].