Following a public consultation in June 2024, CDP and WWF have released the updated version (v1.5) of the Temperature Scoring Methodology. This open-source tool translates corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets into temperature scores, providing a simple and intuitive way to evaluate alignment with global climate goals.

First introduced in 2020, the methodology helps financial institutions and large corporations set or improve their emission reduction targets and assess the alignment of their portfolios and value chains with the 1.5°C temperature goal. Designed to meet increasing regulatory demands, this methodology serves as a transparent, science-based tool, playing a crucial role in preventing greenwashing.

Key Updates in Version 1.5

The updated version incorporates the latest climate science from the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), refreshing the benchmarks used to calculate temperature scores. This ensures users can rely on the most current data when evaluating global warming projections and the pathways needed to limit temperature rise.

In addition to the refreshed benchmarks, various improvements have been made. These include more detailed criteria for evaluating Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reduction targets, ensuring more accurate and fair analysis. Companies without relevant data are now assigned a default temperature score of 3.4°C, reflecting a business-as-usual scenario. This creates an added incentive for companies to disclose their targets transparently.

Applications and Benefits

The CDP-WWF Temperature Scoring Methodology enables financial institutions to calculate the temperature of their portfolios, providing a foundation for aligning with long-term climate targets, particularly the 1.5°C goal. Large corporations can use the tool to assess their value chains' alignment and ensure compliance with climate commitments. The methodology is already integrated into frameworks like CDP’s Net-Zero Alignment Dataset and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and is widely used by data providers.

By simplifying complex emission reduction goals into easy-to-understand temperature scores, the methodology helps companies evaluate their climate commitments realistically and transparently, reducing the risk of greenwashing and making it easier to identify truly sustainable practices.

Learn More

For further details on the updates and improvements in Version 1.5, you can explore the full methodology here. A recorded webinar on the key changes is also available here.