Carbon Passport vs EcoVadis: What Suppliers Actually Need
The sustainability rating landscape
European suppliers face a confusing array of sustainability assessment platforms. EcoVadis, CDP, ISS ESG, Ecovadis, and now the EU's own ESRS standards all claim to be the right framework. Which do you actually need?
EcoVadis: comprehensive but expensive
EcoVadis is a full sustainability rating platform covering environment, labor, ethics, and sustainable procurement. An EcoVadis assessment costs €1,000–€5,000/year and takes 4–8 weeks to complete.
It's valuable if you supply to many large companies who all require it. But for companies who mainly need to answer carbon-specific questions for CSRD Scope 3 reporting, it's significant overkill.
CDP: for public disclosure
CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) is the gold standard for public carbon disclosure. It's primarily used by listed companies who want to demonstrate climate leadership to investors. For a small manufacturing SME responding to a procurement questionnaire, CDP is rarely required.
The Carbon Passport: focused on what clients actually need
When enterprise procurement teams collect Scope 3 data from suppliers, they need a specific set of data points — not a full sustainability rating. They need:
- Verified Scope 1 + 2 emissions (tCO2e)
- Emissions intensity metrics
- Year and methodology
- GHG Protocol compliance
A DeCarbonOPS Carbon Passport provides exactly this. It generates in 20 minutes, costs a fraction of EcoVadis, and is directly accepted by procurement systems.
When to use what
| Situation | Recommended |
|---|---|
| ----------- | ------------- |
| Client asks for CSRD Scope 3 data | Carbon Passport |
| Client requires EcoVadis rating specifically | EcoVadis |
| You want public climate credibility | CDP |
| First carbon measurement | Carbon Passport |
For most SME suppliers, a Carbon Passport is the right starting point. It gets you compliant with the vast majority of procurement requests in under an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Carbon Passport and EcoVadis?
EcoVadis is a comprehensive sustainability rating covering environment, labor, ethics, and procurement — costing €1,000–€5,000/year and taking 4–8 weeks. A Carbon Passport focuses on verified GHG emissions data for CSRD Scope 3 reporting, takes 20 minutes, and costs a fraction of the price.
Do I need EcoVadis or a Carbon Passport for CSRD compliance?
If your client specifically requires an EcoVadis rating, you need EcoVadis. For most CSRD Scope 3 data requests, a Carbon Passport provides exactly the data required at significantly lower cost and time investment.
What is CDP and do small suppliers need it?
CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) is the gold standard for public carbon disclosure, primarily used by listed companies demonstrating climate leadership to investors. Most SME suppliers responding to procurement questionnaires do not require CDP.
What data does a DeCarbonOPS Carbon Passport include?
A Carbon Passport includes verified Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in tCO2e, emissions intensity metrics, reporting year, GHG Protocol methodology statement, and a permanent verification URL accepted by procurement systems.
How much does EcoVadis cost compared to a Carbon Passport?
EcoVadis assessments cost €1,000–€5,000 per year and take 4–8 weeks to complete. DeCarbonOPS is free for one annual report and takes under 20 minutes — making it the right starting point for most SME suppliers.
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Generate a verified carbon report in 20 minutes — free for your first annual report. Accepted by SAP Ariba, Coupa, and enterprise procurement teams across the EU.
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