CDP Adds Ocean Disclosures to Environmental Reporting Platform for 2026 Cycle

Environmental sustainability reporting platform CDP announced the expansion of its disclosure system to include ocean data, enabling companies to report on their exposure to ocean-related risks, opportunities and dependencies. The 2026 disclosure cycle, which opened in June, marks the first year companies can report ocean data through CDP's system.

CDP's disclosure system already covers climate, forests, water security, biodiversity and plastics, and the ocean category adds a sixth environmental theme to the platform. In 2025, more than 22,000 companies disclosed data through CDP. The new ocean questions cover target setting, supply chain engagement and board-level oversight on ocean issues, aligned with the growing recognition that ocean health has material implications for sectors ranging from food and fisheries to tourism, shipping and coastal infrastructure.

The addition closes a data gap identified by investors and other decision-makers seeking consistent information on companies' ocean-related impacts and strategic exposure. Sectors with direct ocean dependencies — including fisheries, aquaculture, shipping and coastal tourism — face increasing reputational, regulatory and physical risks from ocean degradation, acidification and biodiversity loss. CDP's platform provides a standardised channel for investors to request and compare ocean-related disclosures across companies and sectors.

Oliver Tanqueray, CDP Head of Ocean, noted that the ocean is fundamental to both planetary and economic health, yet decision-makers lack consistent data on ocean-related impacts and risks. The new category is aligned with broader growth in nature-related reporting frameworks, including the TNFD, and GRI's updated biodiversity standard. CDP is simultaneously undergoing a significant restructuring, splitting into a commercial entity backed by private equity firm Permira and a charitable CDP Foundation focused on science-led disclosure innovation.

Key figure — More than 22,000 companies disclosed data through CDP in 2025