CDP Certification: why the Carbon Disclosure Project is the real test of your decarbonization plan
If you're reading this article, you've probably already understood that sustainability is no longer a marketing optional. Multinational companies know this well: those who don't report their carbon emissions risk being left out of global supply chains, losing access to capital and, a not insignificant detail, compromising their reputation. CDP certification is now the most accredited standard for measuring and communicating environmental performance and a supplier like Solution Group, with completed CDP rating, offers companies a real competitive advantage. Here we explain, without too many words, why it matters.
CDP in brief: what it is and how certification works
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is a global platform that evaluates over 23,000 organizations based on transparency, governance and performance in climate, water and forests. Each year CDP assigns a score from D- to A. Obtaining a high rating means being able to demonstrate verifiable numbers and a concrete decarbonization plan. A well-formatted PDF is not enough: granular data, independent audits and net-zero objectives consistent with Science Based Targets scenarios are needed.
Why investors take it seriously
- CDP reports are cross-referenced with ESG ratings from MSCI, Sustainalytics and Bloomberg: a low score lowers the risk assessment.
- Since 2024, the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) makes a level of traceability similar to that required by CDP practically mandatory.
- Banks aligned with the Net-Zero Banking Alliance penalize those who don't cover Scope 3.
Who already reports to CDP? Here are some names (spoiler: your customers)
If you think reporting is only for US tech giants, think again. Here are some examples of companies that publish their data on CDP:
- Apple – A rating for climate, very strict supply chain audits.
- Unilever – pioneer of the "climate-positive business model".
- IKEA – from 2030 only products with neutral or negative carbon footprint.
- Enel – Italian utility with net-zero 2040 target validated by SBTi.
- Nestlé, Danone, BMW, Nike, Microsoft – each with Scope 3 strategies involving every supplier.
Translated: if you work (or want to work) with these multinationals, they will ask you for concrete data and results, not simple slogans.
Suppliers under examination: why having a partner like Solution Group makes the difference
70-80% of a company's emissions fall under Scope 3, i.e. in the supply chain. Large companies are transferring climate pressure to their suppliers. This is why choosing Solution Group — a merchandising distributor with:
- Completed CDP certification (it's up to us to demonstrate consistency, not you to collect paperwork);
- ISO 9001 and 14001, Ecovadis Platinum rating, continuous auditing on compliance and quality;
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on all products and Forest Nation partnership, which plants 100 trees every €5,000 spent;
... means satisfying in one go a series of ESG requirements that otherwise you would have to pursue individually, with considerable costs and reputational risks.
Concrete advantages for multinationals
- Immediate Scope 3 reduction thanks to already mapped and certified supplies.
- Streamlined audit process: no two-diligence marathons, our data is available on CDP.
- Reputational effect: being able to cite an "A-List rated" partner in your reports supports "supplier engagement" targets.
- Access to granular data to feed ESG dashboards and avoid generic estimates.
- Added value for stakeholders (investors, end customers, employees) who reward the green supply chain.
Decarbonization plan: beyond theory, practice
What is needed is a decarbonization plan with stages, KPIs, investments and penalties in case of non-achievement. Solution Group integrates CDP metrics with the results of our LCAs to identify:
- Materials with high carbon intensity, to be replaced with recycled or bio-based alternatives;
- Critical transport points (e.g. air shipments) to switch to sea or rail routes when possible;
- Carbon insetting opportunities (e.g. Forest Nation projects measurable in tCO₂e absorbed);
The result? Real CO₂ reductions, not offsets that are easy to contest.
Reporting and transparency: why they are important
CDP reporting is not just a file to upload once a year. It's a circular process:
- Measure – data collection (Scope 1, 2, 3);
- Report – disclosure according to CDP and, soon, CSRD frameworks;
- Reduce – concrete interventions, continuous monitoring;
- Review – CDP score and stakeholder feedback.
Without transparency, sustainability remains a statement of intent. With certified transparency, it becomes an asset to be valued: access to green funds, discounts on insurance premiums and facilitations in participating in public and private tenders.
Why your next RFP should require CDP certification
Including the clause "supplier with published CDP report" in the specifications is a filter that separates those who are serious from those who limit themselves to using ecological buzzwords. If your company:
- Has net-zero 2030-2040 objectives;
- Falls within the CSRD or SEC Climate-Related Disclosure perimeter;
- Wants to increase the overall ESG score;
... then choosing partners like Solution Group is not just smart, it's necessary.
Conclusions (without whitewashing reality)
CDP certification is not a label to display at trade shows: it is a continuous commitment that involves governance, finance, operations and communication. Solution Group has chosen to submit to this examination because we believe that numbers speak louder than promises. The question to ask yourself is not whether or not to tackle CDP, but when. Spoiler: the deadline for many big corps has already passed.
If you want a supplier that makes you gain ESG points instead of losing them, contact us. We will show you our CDP scorecards, LCA results and updated Forest Nation report. Then we'll decide together how to transform your decarbonization plan from slides into measurable results.
