What to Do When a Customer Asks for CDP Reporting

If a customer has asked you to report through CDP, you are not alone.
Large buyers such as Microsoft, AstraZeneca, General Motors, L’Oreal, VMware, and Nestlé now rely on CDP to evaluate supplier climate performance.

It can feel confusing at first, but completing a CDP disclosure helps strengthen your credibility with customers.

Here is exactly what to do next.

Step 1: Confirm the Type of CDP Request

Most suppliers are asked to complete the CDP Supply Chain questionnaire.
Check the request email or your CDP dashboard to confirm which questionnaire applies to you.
Customers often assign deadlines earlier than CDP’s general deadline.

Step 2: Collect Your Emissions Data

CDP requires structured greenhouse gas information.
Start gathering the data you already have, such as:

  • Utility bills

  • Fuel use

  • Refrigerants

  • Fleet activity

  • Waste volumes

  • Freight or transportation activity

  • Business travel

If you already report to EcoVadis or SBTi, reuse that information.
Consistency across disclosures improves credibility.

Step 3: Identify Who Oversees Climate Decisions

CDP asks how climate issues are managed internally.
Prepare a short summary of:

  • Leadership or board oversight

  • Roles and responsibilities

  • Who manages sustainability work day to day

A clear governance structure supports your overall disclosure.

Step 4: Describe Climate Risks and Opportunities

CDP will ask how climate risks could affect your business.
You do not need a long technical report.
A clear description is enough.

Explain:

  • The main risks

  • When they could occur

  • How they may affect your operations

  • What actions you are taking to reduce them

Step 5: Summarize Any Climate Targets

If you have climate targets, prepare:

  • Baseline year

  • Target year

  • Percent reduction

  • Progress so far

If you do not have targets yet, CDP allows you to explain that you are planning to set them.

Step 6: Prepare Supporting Documentation

Examples of documents CDP may ask for include:

  • Your carbon footprint file

  • Energy and fuel data

  • Verification letters

  • Governance and responsibility summaries

  • Climate risk assessments

  • Target summaries

  • Internal climate initiatives

These help customers validate your disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. Verification is optional for most suppliers, although it improves accuracy.

  • No. Many suppliers disclose first and set targets later.

  • Your customer may label you as No Response, which can affect supplier scoring and future procurement decisions.

Step 7: Submit Early

CDP systems can become busy close to the deadline.
Submitting early gives you time to correct errors and resolve upload issues.