For many teams, CDP starts with a simple question: where do we even begin?
A request comes in, but the next step is not always obvious. Some teams run into issues getting logged in. Others open the questionnaire and realize they can’t answer the questions on their own. Either way, it becomes clear that this is not something you can just figure out as you go.
The good news is that getting started is more straightforward than it seems. A few early steps can make the rest of the process much easier.
Create or access your CDP account, add contributors or reviewers, and open the questionnaire as soon as it is available.
There are several different types of CDP responses, such as the full corporate questionnaire, SME, and initiatives like RE100. Once you are logged in, you will be able to confirm which response type applies to your organization.
All companies will respond to the Climate Change questionnaire, but depending on your operations, the Water Security and Forests questionnaires may also be relevant.
From there, spend a few minutes reviewing the questions. You will notice that the questionnaire is made up of multiple modules, and not all of them will apply to your company.
This quick review will give you a clear sense of what CDP is asking for and how much information you will need to gather.
Step 2: Identify who owns the information
CDP pulls information from across the organization. The earlier you identify the right people, the smoother the process will be. In most companies, the data does not sit in one place. You will likely need input from several teams, depending on how your organization is structured.
While we can’t confirm that CDP will ask the same questions every year, we do know the information areas are relevant year over year. To help get new reporters pointed in the right direction, we have a list of potential data owners for some of these topics.
The exact ownership of data within your organization will vary, but the pattern is the same. The information is distributed, and you need to bring it together. This is where most timelines start to stretch. Getting alignment early makes a noticeable difference.
Step 3: Start collecting what you already have
At this point, the goal is to begin pulling information together, not to have everything ready. Some organizations already have emissions data and formal reporting in place, while others are starting from scratch. Both are normal.
Start by gathering what you believe is available today. Some examples of what you might already have in place include:
Utility bills and energy usage data
Fuel usage
Existing ESG, sustainability, or internal reports
Policies and governance structures
Initiatives and targets
If emissions have not been calculated yet, that is okay. Focus on collecting the underlying activity data first. That is what everything else will be built on.
As you go through this process, you will start to see what is easy to access and what will take more time. That visibility is more important than having perfect data upfront.
Step 4: Identify gaps early
Once you start pulling information together, gaps will become clear. In some cases, the data may not exist yet. In others, it may exist but is incomplete, inconsistent, or owned by multiple teams. You may also find that certain questions require a level of detail or structure that your organization has not documented before.
The earlier you identify these gaps, the more time you have to address them. Some gaps can be filled quickly. Others may require follow-up conversations, additional data collection, or alignment with internal stakeholders.
This step is where priorities start to take shape. You will begin to see what needs immediate attention and what can be addressed over time. At this point, you move from reacting to the questionnaire to actively managing your response.
What to do next
Getting started early makes the rest of the CDP process much more manageable.
These first steps help you understand what is required, who needs to be involved, and where to focus your time. If you are unsure how to prioritize or want a clearer path forward, getting input early can make a meaningful difference.
As a CDP Gold Accredited Solutions Provider, CEMAsys can help you approach your response with structure and confidence.
What is CDP
CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) is a global disclosure system that allows companies to report environmental data in a standardized, comparable way. Companies respond to CDP questionnaires each year, sharing information on how they measure, manage, and reduce environmental impacts. That information is then used by investors, customers, and other stakeholders to evaluate performance and risk. For many organizations, CDP becomes the central framework that shapes how environmental data is collected, structured, and communicated.
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How to report to CDP
Step 1: Get logged in and open the questionnaire
Create or access your CDP account, add contributors or reviewers, and open the questionnaire as soon as it is available.
There are several different types of CDP responses, such as the full corporate questionnaire, SME, and initiatives like RE100. Once you are logged in, you will be able to confirm which response type applies to your organization.
All companies will respond to the Climate Change questionnaire, but depending on your operations, the Water Security and Forests questionnaires may also be relevant.
From there, spend a few minutes reviewing the questions. You will notice that the questionnaire is made up of multiple modules, and not all of them will apply to your company.
This quick review will give you a clear sense of what CDP is asking for and how much information you will need to gather.
Step 2: Identify who owns the information
CDP pulls information from across the organization. The earlier you identify the right people, the smoother the process will be. In most companies, the data does not sit in one place. You will likely need input from several teams, depending on how your organization is structured.
While we can’t confirm that CDP will ask the same questions every year, we do know the information areas are relevant year over year. To help get new reporters pointed in the right direction, we have a list of potential data owners for some of these topics.
The exact ownership of data within your organization will vary, but the pattern is the same. The information is distributed, and you need to bring it together. This is where most timelines start to stretch. Getting alignment early makes a noticeable difference.
Step 3: Start collecting what you already have
At this point, the goal is to begin pulling information together, not to have everything ready. Some organizations already have emissions data and formal reporting in place, while others are starting from scratch. Both are normal.
Start by gathering what you believe is available today. Some examples of what you might already have in place include:
Utility bills and energy usage data
Fuel usage
Existing ESG, sustainability, or internal reports
Policies and governance structures
Initiatives and targets
If emissions have not been calculated yet, that is okay. Focus on collecting the underlying activity data first. That is what everything else will be built on.
As you go through this process, you will start to see what is easy to access and what will take more time. That visibility is more important than having perfect data upfront.
Step 4: Identify gaps early
Once you start pulling information together, gaps will become clear. In some cases, the data may not exist yet. In others, it may exist but is incomplete, inconsistent, or owned by multiple teams. You may also find that certain questions require a level of detail or structure that your organization has not documented before.
The earlier you identify these gaps, the more time you have to address them. Some gaps can be filled quickly. Others may require follow-up conversations, additional data collection, or alignment with internal stakeholders.
This step is where priorities start to take shape. You will begin to see what needs immediate attention and what can be addressed over time. At this point, you move from reacting to the questionnaire to actively managing your response.
What to do next
Getting started early makes the rest of the CDP process much more manageable.
These first steps help you understand what is required, who needs to be involved, and where to focus your time. If you are unsure how to prioritize or want a clearer path forward, getting input early can make a meaningful difference.
As a CDP Gold Accredited Solutions Provider, CEMAsys can help you approach your response with structure and confidence.
What is CDP
CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) is a global disclosure system that allows companies to report environmental data in a standardized, comparable way. Companies respond to CDP questionnaires each year, sharing information on how they measure, manage, and reduce environmental impacts. That information is then used by investors, customers, and other stakeholders to evaluate performance and risk. For many organizations, CDP becomes the central framework that shapes how environmental data is collected, structured, and communicated.
I’m a sustainability consultant focused on helping organizations turn climate ambition into practical action. I work with clients on sustainability strategy, ESG data management, and net-zero planning, drawing on both academic training and hands-on experience to make complex topics clear and usable for busy teams.
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