For an SME in LATAM, the first CDP request may come from a corporate customer or a financial institution. Practical questions soon follow: what information to provide, who should gather it, and what the rating means.
This guide explains what CDP is, how its score works, and how to prepare a response that is useful for your business. The goal is to help you assess the request and organize the work before committing resources.
CDP, formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, is a global nonprofit organization that manages an environmental disclosure system. It allows companies to share information about their impacts, risks, and actions with those requesting the data.
Its scope includes climate change, forests, and water security. Depending on the questionnaire, it also addresses other environmental topics.
Responding involves gathering information about governance, risks, strategy, emissions, and actions. It goes beyond submitting a carbon footprint and does not replace the company’s applicable regulatory obligations.
CDP can be relevant even if your company is not publicly listed or does not export to Europe. The key is to identify who is requesting the information and how they intend to use it.
If a bank requests CDP disclosure, ask whether it uses it as an eligibility requirement, a monitoring indicator, or supporting information. This will help you prepare the documentation it actually needs.
A better score does not guarantee credit, preferential interest rates, or contracts. Each bank and buyer sets its own criteria.
The CDP Score reflects how a company discloses and manages the environmental topics being assessed. In the full corporate questionnaire, ratings are organized into four levels:
| Rating | Level | What it assesses |
|---|---|---|
| D / D− | Disclosure | Information reported. |
| C / C− | Awareness | Understanding of impacts and risks. |
| B / B− | Management | Actions and processes to address them. |
| A / A− | Leadership | Advanced practices under the methodology. |
Results depend on the points, weightings, and criteria applicable to the reporting cycle and sector. The scale does not rank companies from the largest to the smallest carbon footprint.
The “Did not disclose” status indicates that there is insufficient information to assess a response where applicable; it does not, on its own, demonstrate poor environmental performance.
The value lies in having useful information for customers and internal management. Preparing a response can reveal unclear responsibilities, missing data, and opportunities for improvement.
It also requires time for coordination and review. Before starting, identify:
A commercial request does not automatically create a legal obligation. Assess each case and the resources required.
CDP offers a full corporate questionnaire and a simplified route for eligible SMEs. Confirm eligibility through the portal and the documentation for the reporting cycle; it does not depend solely on whether your company is considered an SME locally.
In 2026, the SME route allows companies to achieve an SME A rating for climate change. This rating is not equivalent to an A in the full corporate questionnaire.
Also review the requester’s expectations and the rules governing response visibility. The official guide to disclosing through CDP brings together questionnaires, preparation materials, and methodologies.
Bono can help organize emissions data and identify reduction actions. This information supports report preparation, alongside the policies, responsibilities, and decisions your company needs to document.
Define the inventory’s reporting period and boundaries. Gather consumption data, operational records, and documents that support your calculations. Bono’s decarbonization platform allows you to centralize information and track emissions.
If you need to build this foundation, read our guide to measuring corporate carbon footprints in LATAM.
Assess the relevant Scope 3 categories—the indirect emissions across your value chain—and prioritize missing information. Bono’s supply chain management solution facilitates collaboration with suppliers.
Specific data must be reviewed and estimates documented. No tool can guarantee a CDP rating on its own.
Check the information against the questions and criteria for the reporting cycle. Identify responsible people, risks, targets, and reduction measures you can support with evidence.
Bono can help you develop a decarbonization plan and assess financing options for your projects. Ratings are determined through CDP’s assessment process, while financing approval rests with each financial institution.
For a company in the region, CDP’s relevance depends on its commercial relationships and information needs, as well as its country.
If your customer requests information because of European requirements, confirm the format and evidence they need. Responding to CDP does not automatically replace other reports or verification processes.
Yes. CDP allows voluntary participation as a self-selected company. Before registering, define how you will use the information and review the requirements for the reporting cycle.
It depends on the questionnaire, the information available, and internal coordination. Allow time to gather documents, address gaps, and review responses. There is no universal timeline for achieving a rating.
Estimates do not automatically prevent improvement. Their acceptance and scoring depend on the applicable questions and methods. Improvement also involves governance, risks, targets, and actions—not just supplier data.
No. ISO 14001 concerns an environmental management system; CDP requests information through its own questionnaire. They may draw on some of the same documentation, but they serve different purposes.
Has your SME in LATAM received a CDP request, or does it need to organize its environmental information? Schedule a conversation with Bono to review your emissions data, identify gaps, and connect measurement with emissions reduction projects.