Glossary

The Role of CDP Disclosure in Solving the Plastics Pollution Problem

The Role of CDP Disclosure in Solving the Plastics Pollution Problem

The Role of CDP Disclosure in Solving the Plastics Pollution Problem

by: Leticia Socal & Preeti Shanker | September 13, 2023

 

The plastics pollution crisis has long been one of the most visible sustainability issues of our times, and yet the efforts to address it, while numerous, have remained mostly siloed. Governments, institutions, consumers, NGOs, scientists, corporations, investors, and organizations like ClimeCo are working to solve different aspects of this multi-fold, complex issue. Still, the call for cohesive and collaborative action is finally getting louder, and efforts to unite various stakeholders, become aligned, and work towards a common goal.

The latest shot in the arm towards this shift is CDP’s (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) foray into plastics disclosure.

If growth in single-use plastic production continues at current rates, it will account for 5 – 10% of global emissions by 2050.

CDP’s Growing Influence 

CDP manages a global disclosure system that companies, investors, cities, states, and regions use to engage with environmental issues. Companies and investors use the CDP system rather effectively to share key information on metrics, strategies, risks, and opportunities that are either hard to glean from sustainability reports, hard to distinguish from greenwashing claims, or difficult to compare or act upon meaningfully. 

CDP’s disclosure modules on climate change, water security, and forests standardized how and what data is gathered to be useful for investors and shareholders. The annual disclosure cycle means continuous engagement between CDP, companies, and investors, who can collectively push the needle toward attaining sustainability goals.

CDP has grown into a tour de force. As of 2023, a whopping 18,700 companies [1] have been requested to disclose data to CDP by over 740 investors with more than $136 trillion in assets. Over 340 major buyers, with a purchasing power of $6.4 trillion, have asked their suppliers to disclose through CDP. In short, if you were a company that received a disclosure request from CDP, you get your ducks in a row and buckle up for the ride! 

CDP’s Foray Into Plastics 

In 2023, CDP announced the introduction of its Plastics Module. Recognizing the scale and complexity of the plastics problem and its successful role in shaping the climate change movement, this is CDP’s attempt to bring similar standardization, rigor, and engagement to the plastics crisis.

In its inaugural year, CDP has included the Plastics Module within its existing water security questionnaire, recognizing the threats posed by plastic pollution to water systems. In the future, as disclosures improve, companies’ practices mature, and the engagement around plastics deepens, CDP is likely to carve off plastics disclosures as its standalone topic with an independent questionnaire.

Around 7,000 companies have been requested to respond to the CDP Plastics module in 2023. According to a recent CDP consultation, 81% of responding capital markets and supply chain members said that the information requested by CDP on plastics would be useful in informing financial or procurement decisions [2].

Companies face $100 billion annual financial risk if governments require them to cover waste management costs at expected volumes and recyclability.


Key Points on CDP Plastic Disclosure 

– Plastics-related questions are included in the water security questionnaire
– The Plastics Module contains 5-9 questions about a company’s plastics-related environmental impacts
– In 2023, responses to the plastics questions are not scored (this will change in the future)
– CDP’s questions build on existing frameworks and best practices, including work carried out by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and UNEP’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, the PEW Charitable Trusts, and the Minderoo Foundation 

What Questions are CDP Asking About Plastics? 

CDP is asking for information from all companies that use, produce, or commercialize plastics, covering the entirety of their value chain, including plastics waste management, reprocessing, and disposal.              

Within the water security questionnaire, Module W.10 contains 5-9 plastics-related questions covering a range of topics around the reporting company’s practices around plastic use and plastic production. CDP provides a useful mapping of the questions, reproduced below:

How to Approach CDP Plastics Disclosure

Disclosure, while cumbersome and time-consuming, is valuable for any reporting company. Disclosure, done right: 

– Aligns the company’s intentions with its implementation plans
– Shines a light on risks the company may not have considered yet and opportunities the company may have yet to discover, both of which are material to its investors

Whether or not your business is among the 7000 early CDP Plastics respondents, plastics disclosure will likely be on the cards soon for most companies. Plastics is soon to be a material disclosure area for your company, especially if you operate in the following sectors: apparel, biotech/healthcare/pharmaceutical, chemical, food/beverage/agriculture, fossil fuel, hospitality, infrastructure, manufacturing, material, mineral extraction, power generation, retail or transportation services (see CDP’s guidance on how plastic is material to these sectors). 

We recommend taking a proactive approach to plastics disclosure. While it remains an unscored module at CDP, this presents an excellent low-risk opportunity for companies to begin disclosures and establish processes and policies for future-focused improved disclosures. 

Here are some valuable resources to get started:

Overview of CDP Plastics
CDP’s Technical Guidance on Plastics Disclosure

To learn more, contact our Plastics and CDP Reporting experts at https://climeco.com/contact-us/.


[1]  CDP – What We Do
[2]  CDP – Environmental Disclosure System Opens for Reporting on Plastics

About the Authors 

Leticia Socal is a chemist and seasoned plastic industry professional with over 15 years of experience spanning R&D, intellectual property, market research & strategy. Leticia is a certified TRUE Zero Waste advisor and a Blue Consultant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry, a Master of Science in Materials Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Polymer Science.

Preeti Shanker is a lawyer-turned-sustainability consultant with over 12 years of industry experience. Preeti has worked with clients from a variety of sectors including manufacturing, pharma, technology and financial services to develop the companies’ ESG and climate strategies and hone their ESG reporting, communications and disclosures, including CDP disclosures She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and a Master’s degree in Sustainability Management. 

ClimeCo Featured in International Cement Review

ClimeCo Featured in International Cement Review

ClimeCo Featured in International Cement Review


ClimeCo
is featured in the International Cement Review April 2023 issue! The article by our Sr. Manager of Industrial Innovations, Kayla Carey, Sr. Manager of Strategic Policy and Markets, Zach Harmer, Sr. Associate, Wilson Fong, and Policy Associate, Braeden Larson, discusses how the cement sector could leverage regulatory and market-based incentives to help finance the rapid deployment of decarbonization technologies. Read our feature in the article “Cement Sector Decarbonisation: the Business Case” by clicking here or the image below.

ClimeCo is featured in the International Cement Review April 2023 issue

 

About International Cement Review

International Cement Review (ICR) delivers unrivaled business insight, market knowledge and technical expertise to the global cement industry. Whether you are involved in the production, trade or distribution of cement, clinker and allied products, ICR provides industry and country reports, technical studies, informed commentary and a wealth of market data. Learn more by visiting their website, https://www.cemnet.com/.

About ClimeCo

ClimeCo is a respected global advisor, transaction facilitator, trader, and developer of environmental commodity market products and related solutions. We specialize in voluntary carbon, regulated carbon, renewable energy credits, plastics credits, and regional criteria pollutant trading programs. Complimenting these programs is a team of professionals skilled in providing sustainability program management solutions and developing and financing of GHG abatement and mitigation systems.

For more information or to discuss how ClimeCo can drive value for your organization, contact us at +1 484.415.0501info@climeco.com, or through our website climeco.com. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our handle, @ClimeCo.

ClimeCo Featured in Sustainable Plastics Magazine

ClimeCo Featured in Sustainable Plastics Magazine

ClimeCo Featured in Sustainable Plastics Magazine


ClimeCo is featured
 in the Sustainable Plastics March/April 2023 issue! The article by our Sr. Manager of Plastics and Recycling, Leticia Socal, and Plastic Program Director, Chris Parker, discusses how companies taking action on plastic sustainability is good for business.

Read the full article, “The Business Case for a Plastic Sustainability Strategy,” by clicking the image below or visiting the virtual magazine here.

ClimeCo Feature in Sustainable Plastics Issue

 

About Sustainable Plastics

Sustainable Plastics is the new publication covering the emerging recycling and sustainability focus of the global plastics industry. Learn more by visiting their website,
https://www.sustainableplastics.com/.

About ClimeCo

ClimeCo is a respected global advisor, transaction facilitator, trader, and developer of environmental commodity market products and related solutions. We specialize in voluntary carbon, regulated carbon, renewable energy credits, plastics credits, and regional criteria pollutant trading programs. Complimenting these programs is a team of professionals skilled in providing sustainability program management solutions and developing and financing of GHG abatement and mitigation systems.

For more information or to discuss how ClimeCo can drive value for your organization, contact us at +1 484.415.0501info@climeco.com, or through our website climeco.com. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our handle, @ClimeCo.

ClimeCo’s “A Plastic-Free Coastline” Wins Gold at the 2023 American Advertising Federation (AAF) Awards

ClimeCo’s “A Plastic-Free Coastline” Wins Gold at the 2023 American Advertising Federation (AAF) Awards

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
CONTACT
Nancy Marshall, SVP, Marketing
+1 484.415.7603 or nmarshall@climeco.com

ClimeCo’s “A Plastic-Free Coastline” Wins Gold at the 2023 American Advertising Federation (AAF) Awards

This prestigious honor is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence in advertising


BOYERTOWN, Pennsylvania (March 14, 2023) –
A ClimeCo campaign sharing the benefits and impact of their Plastic Credit Program was recognized for its outstanding work in advertising by winning Gold in the photography category at the 2023 American Advertising Federation (AAF) Awards. Shot in Cambodia, the photography showcases ClimeCo’s environmental commodity project and its positive impact on the environment and the economy.

Created and produced by marketing agency Cargo, “A Plastic-Free Coastline” is an impactful video featuring the global plastic pollution crisis and highlighting the required solutions to build waste management infrastructure for the removal of plastic in the environment at scale.

“We tapped Cargo to create a touching campaign that tells our story and showcases how we work with our partners to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits to local communities where we have plastic removal projects,” says Nancy Fuchs Marshall, SVP of Marketing at ClimeCo.

In addition to the Gold ADDY award for photography, Cargo’s exceptional work for ClimeCo also won two Silver ADDY awards, gaining recognition for cinematography and branded content.

The American Advertising Awards aims to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. It’s the largest and most representative competition in the advertising industry, with a local phase that is the first step toward national recognition. The Gold ADDY won at the local chapter competition will be automatically forwarded onto the next district round.

 

 

About ClimeCo

ClimeCo is a respected global advisor, transaction facilitator, trader, and developer of environmental commodity market products and related solutions. We specialize in voluntary carbon, regulated carbon, renewable energy credits, plastics credits, and regional criteria pollutant trading programs.  Complementing these programs is a team of professionals skilled in providing sustainability program management solutions and developing and financing of GHG abatement and mitigation systems.

For more information or to discuss how ClimeCo can drive value for your organization, contact us at +1 484.415.0501, info@climeco.com, or through our website climeco.com. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our handle, @ClimeCo.

About Cargo

Founded in 2006, Cargo is a global, data-driven, B2SB (Business to Small Business) Marketing agency that delivers strategic marketing solutions and services. Online at thecargoagency.com.

 

About The American Advertising Awards 

The American Advertising Awards is the industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting more than 25,000 entries annually in local AAF Ad Club competitions.

 

 

ClimeCo’s “A Plastic-Free Coastline” Wins 2022 Drum Award in B2B for Good Category

ClimeCo’s “A Plastic-Free Coastline” Wins 2022 Drum Award in B2B for Good Category

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
CONTACT
Nancy Marshall, SVP, Marketing
+1 484.415.7603 or nmarshall@climeco.com  

ClimeCo’s “A Plastic-Free Coastline” Wins 2022 Drum Award in B2B for Good Category

The global awards program recognizes a film that brings coastal awareness to the B2B world


BOYERTOWN, Pennsylvania (December 14, 2022) –
A ClimeCo campaign bringing coastal awareness to the B2B world was recently honored with a 2022 Drum Award in the B2B for Good category. The global awards program recognizes best practices, companies, and people within the marketing and communications industry.

Created and produced by marketing agency Cargo, “A Plastic-Free Coastline” is an impactful video featuring the ugliness of plastic waste and the beauty of ClimeCo’s efforts by highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of its plastic programs. 

The core of ClimeCo’s business is to positively impact the world through advising and solving environmental challenges with innovative, market-based solutions. The video helps ClimeCo bring awareness to big brands looking to promote positive change while empowering ClimeCo to achieve its goal of removing 100,000 tons of plastic pollution from the environment by 2030 through plastic credit funding. 

“At ClimeCo, we live by the phrase of making a difference today for a better world tomorrow, and it’s an honor for our mission to be recognized in such a meaningful way,” said Nancy Fuchs Marshall, ClimeCo’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We thank TONTOTON and Conceptos Plasticos for partnering with us on our plastic removal efforts – and are excited to be part of the incredible global momentum in this space.” 

 

 

About ClimeCo

ClimeCo is a respected global advisor, transaction facilitator, trader, and developer of environmental commodity market products and related solutions. We specialize in voluntary carbon, regulated carbon, renewable energy credits, plastics credits, and regional criteria pollutant trading programs.  Complementing these programs is a team of professionals skilled in providing sustainability program management solutions and developing and financing of GHG abatement and mitigation systems.

For more information or to discuss how ClimeCo can drive value for your organization, contact us at +1 484.415.0501, info@climeco.com, or through our website climeco.com. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our handle, @ClimeCo.

About Cargo

Founded in 2006, Cargo is a global, data-driven, B2SB (Business to Small Business) Marketing agency that delivers strategic marketing solutions and services. Online at thecargoagency.com.

 

About The Drum

The Drum is a leading global publisher for the marketing and media industries. Read the announcement for the Drum Awards for B2B 2022 featuring Cargo and ClimeCo here.