Understanding CDP disclosure frequency
The CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) runs on an annual cycle. Each year, organisations are invited to respond to a standardised questionnaire covering their environmental impacts: climate, water and forests. The official campaign opens mid-June and closes mid-September, with scores published at the end of the year.
When does a company need to respond?
Companies participating in CDP respond within the official window set by CDP — not according to their own internal calendar. Invitations are most often triggered by clients, investors or partners asking their suppliers or holdings to disclose their environmental data.
That said, it is strongly recommended not to wait for that request. A company can proactively participate in the annual campaign to structure its approach and strengthen its transparency.
How to plan your CDP response?
The key is planning ahead. Effective preparation starts several months before the questionnaire officially opens:
- Structure your data: GHG inventories, policies, targets, action plans.
- Coordinate key functions: CSR/ESG, finance, QHSE and senior management.
- Check internal consistency: make sure the data you report is traceable and aligned with other frameworks (EcoVadis, CSRD, ISO 14001).
- Build on previous years to track score progress and improve response quality.
This groundwork reduces the administrative burden and makes submission much smoother during the critical June-to-September window.
The Practical Guide to CDP Preparation and Submission
A hands-on guide to understanding CDP, preparing your submission step by step and responding with confidence — even for a first assessment.
What is the value of an annual response?
Beyond the score, the annual disclosure makes it possible to track performance over time and engage stakeholders in a continuous improvement trajectory. CDP also acts as a stepping stone towards more comprehensive regulatory obligations like the CSRD, ESRS or other ESG assessments.
CDP 2026: Understanding the Method and Succeeding in Your Assessment
Scoring, key criteria, 2026 updates: the essential markers for approaching the CDP cycle with method and prioritising your efforts.
CDP Disclosure Frequency — Key Takeaways
| Key point | Explanation | Implication for your company |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | CDP is an annual disclosure. | Plan a preparation cycle every year. |
| Typical calendar | Opens mid-June, closes mid-September, scores published at year-end. | Start collecting and validating data well before June. |
| Trigger | Invitations usually come from clients, investors or partners. | Get ahead of the request: participation can be proactive. |
| Added value | Transparency, credibility, alignment with other ESG frameworks. | Supports CSRD preparation and ESG data consistency. |
| Best practice | Centralise data, cross-team coordination, internal validation before submission. | Less pressure during the submission window and better response quality. |
