10%
Verification
The weighting of the “Verification (Incl. Emissions)” category.
CDP disclosure
Independent verification for your CDP disclosure.
For CDP disclosures, we verify ISO 14064-1 organisational footprints in accordance with ISO 14064-3, a verification standard accepted by CDP. Our free readiness review helps your team address findings before formal verification. Plan the coverage and evidence your CDP score needs.
CDP climate scoring · 2026
Why third-party assurance matters for your CDP score.
Verification is a condition of reaching CDP’s Leadership band. Without third-party emissions verification, the 2026 full corporate climate score cannot exceed B, even when other parts of the response are strong.
| Scoring level | Verification requirement | Effect on your score |
|---|---|---|
| Management · B− / B | EC-CC17 sets no verification essential criterion at this level. Verification can still earn question-level points. | Verification points contribute to the overall result alongside the other scored categories. |
| Leadership · A− | At least 95% of each of Scope 1 and Scope 2, plus at least one Scope 3 category, verified by a third party. The required question-level points and eligibility checks must also be met. | Without the Leadership verification requirements, the overall climate score cannot exceed B. |
| A List · A | 100% of each of Scope 1 and Scope 2, plus at least 70% of total reported Scope 3 emissions, verified by a third party. The required Management and Leadership points must also be achieved. | An A score is unavailable without these requirements; A− still depends on meeting all Leadership criteria. |
Source: CDP’s 2026 Climate Change Essential Criteria, EC-CC17 (pp. 28–29).
Verification is one part of the assessment. Your final score also depends on the full response, scoring thresholds and all other applicable essential criteria. These criteria apply to the full corporate questionnaire, not the SME questionnaire.
Points and evidence
Make the verification count in your response.
For the general 2026 full corporate climate questionnaire, CDP applies these category weightings at both Management and Leadership levels. Sector-specific weightings can differ; these percentages are category weights, not points automatically earned by buying verification.
6.5%
Scope 1 and 2 emissions
A separate emissions category, alongside verification.
3%
Scope 3 emissions
A separate category for value-chain emissions reporting.
Source: CDP’s 2026 Climate Change Category Weightings (general questionnaire, p. 5).
Complete answers and the right attachments matter
For 2026, questions 7.9.1, 7.9.2 and 7.9.3 require full Disclosure points before Management points are available. Incomplete answers can therefore block higher-level credit in the affected question. CDP’s 2026 scoring changes (pp. 43–45).
Attach the relevant verification statements in 7.9.1 for Scope 1, 7.9.2 for Scope 2 and 7.9.3 for Scope 3. CDP does not assess emissions-verification evidence attached elsewhere. CDP’s verification FAQ, Q13.
Plan Scope 3 coverage across the whole footprint
For A-list verification eligibility, the 70% threshold relates to total Scope 3 emissions within the reporting boundary. Full verification credit also requires no relevant boundary exclusions. Verifying a small category such as business travel alone will not reach that threshold if most emissions sit in purchased goods and services. CDP’s verification FAQ, Q2 and Q9.
We can help establish the verification coverage during scoping. Explore Scope 3 verification.
Question 13.1: Route B for emissions verification
CDP added Route B at Awareness and Management levels for organisations that have verified Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions but no other environmental information in their response. It provides a scoring route in question 13.1 without penalising the absence of that other verification. This is specific to that question, not protection from deductions across the questionnaire. CDP’s 2026 scoring changes (pp. 81–82).
Experience you can build on
An accepted standard. A track record of CDP acceptance.
Our verification statements have been accepted in previous CDP disclosures. We bring that experience to planning your engagement and documenting the completed verification.
The reporting basis
Your organisational footprint is prepared in accordance with ISO 14064-1, with its boundaries, methods and reporting period clearly documented.
The verification method
We verify the footprint in accordance with ISO 14064-3. CDP lists this among its accepted verification standards.
The submission evidence
Your statement identifies the verification standard, emissions coverage, period, assurance level and conclusion for your CDP disclosure.
A clear starting point
Agree what the statement needs to cover.
Inventory coverage
Identify the reporting entity and period, organisational boundary, Scope 1, Scope 2 approaches and relevant Scope 3 categories.
Assurance and evidence
Establish the level of assurance, supporting records and information needed in the final statement.
Deadline and delivery
Work back from the date you need the statement, allowing time for verification, findings and independent review.
Our approach
Prepare early. Verify the completed inventory.
Agree the scope and fee
We agree your reporting period, boundaries, the emissions to be covered, the assurance level and your deadline, then confirm the fee.
Your free readiness review
We review the information you already have, from part-year or last year’s data, and give you documented findings with time for your team or adviser to address them.
Formal verification
We verify the complete reporting period, an independent reviewer checks our work, and you receive your verification statement and findings report.
Your readiness review is free when you commission verification, with no increase to the verification fee. It gives your team time to address findings; the CDP verification statement follows formal verification of the completed inventory.
Your outputs
A clear statement and supporting evidence.
A clear plan
An agreed scope, timetable, assurance level and fee, with responsibilities set out before work begins.
Free readiness review
Documented early findings and time to act on them. It is free when you commission verification and is not added to your fee.
Verification statement
A formal statement setting out what was verified, against which criteria and to what level of assurance, with a findings report to help you improve next year.
Sample download
See what your CDP verification letter looks like.
With your verification statement, we complete CDP’s verification letter. It confirms the boundary, emissions by scope and category, period, verification standard, assurance opinion, provider and lead verifier, so your team can attach it to your CDP response. This sample uses a fictitious company.
Download the sample letter (PDF, 2 pages)We document the verification method and agreed coverage clearly, so your team can use the statement as evidence in its CDP response. If CDP raises a question about our statement, we review it and respond with the relevant verification evidence.
Questions before you start
Practical answers for your disclosure.
Have your verification statements been accepted by CDP?
Yes. Our verification statements have been accepted in previous CDP disclosures. For your engagement, we agree the reporting period, emissions coverage and assurance level and record them in the statement.
Can we start before year-end?
Yes. We can agree the engagement and review available data before the complete annual inventory is ready. The final statement follows formal verification of the completed period.
What coverage and assurance does CDP require?
The coverage needed for Leadership eligibility differs from that needed for full Leadership verification points and an A score. Compare the scoring levels above. Limited and reasonable assurance receive equal treatment in CDP scoring. We confirm the relevant requirements for your disclosure cycle during scoping. CDP’s 2026 verification FAQ (Q2, Q7 and Q9; checked 2 October 2026).
How does verification contribute to our CDP score?
Verification contributes points and is part of the essential criteria for Leadership and A-list eligibility. See the weightings and evidence requirements. CDP determines the final score from the full response; verification does not guarantee an A score.
What if CDP asks about the verification?
We review questions about our verification work or statement and provide the relevant explanation and evidence. Your team retains responsibility for completing and submitting the CDP response.
Where can we read about your standards and credentials?
Our published programme explains the method, competence, independence and review arrangements behind the work. Read our standards and credentials or explore the verification programme.
Plan the assurance your CDP disclosure needs.
Discuss your intended CDP score, emissions coverage and deadline. We’ll plan ISO 14064-3 verification and the supporting statement, with a free readiness review to help your team prepare.
20-minute introductory call · No obligation