Comparing EcoVadis with the CO₂ Performance Ladder

The EcoVadis rating system and the CO₂ Performance Ladder (the Ladder) are two powerful tools that support organisations in improving sustainability performance. While they share some common goals, they take different approaches. Understanding how they complement each other can help companies strengthen both internal strategy and supply chain engagement.

Understanding the tools

EcoVadis provides sustainability ratings and improvement tools for global supply chains, focusing on three core areas:

1. Sustainability ratings – A recognised scoring system that assesses environmental, social, and ethical performance. Organisations receive a scorecard highlighting strengths, improvement areas, and medals (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze). This helps buyers assess and compare supplier sustainability, enhancing credibility and competitive advantage. Ratings are valid for one year and are based on company-provided evidence.

2. Carbon management scorecard – Offers insights into greenhouse gas management to support buyers and suppliers in progressing decarbonisation.

3. Continuous improvement tools – Includes training, expert support, and supplier evaluation tools to embed sustainability across the supply chain.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a certifiable carbon management system designed to help organisations reduce emissions and energy use. Based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, it supports structured, measurable carbon reduction at both organisational and project levels.

Organisations can certify at five levels, with higher levels addressing Scope 3 emissions and wider supply chain engagement. Certification is conducted by accredited certification bodies through document reviews, site visits, interviews, and audits. Certification is valid for three years, with annual surveillance audits and full recertification required at the end of each cycle.

While the Ladder also touches on broader sustainability themes, its core focus is carbon and energy management.

What are the main similarities?

EcoVadis and the CO₂ Performance Ladder have several common features:

• Sustainability & Carbon Management – Both assess corporate sustainability, with a focus on reducing emissions.
• Performance Evaluation – EcoVadis offers ESG scores; the Ladder certifies carbon management maturity across five levels.
• Supply Chain Engagement – Each tool encourages sustainable procurement by evaluating suppliers’ environmental impact.
• Continuous Improvement – Companies must demonstrate ongoing progress to maintain their rating or certification.
• Strategic Procurement Role – Both tools are used in supplier selection and procurement strategies to support responsible sourcing.

What are the main differences?

Structure, Evaluation & Assurance:

• Ecovadis is a document-based rating system evaluating CSR performance across four themes: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Companies complete a tailored questionnaire and submit supporting evidence, which is reviewed by EcoVadis analysts. The result is a scorecard with both theme-specific and overall scores — but no formal certification. It serves as a second-party assessment tool used primarily for benchmarking and supply chain transparency.
• The Ladder is a formal carbon management certification system assessed through a five-level framework, with increasing requirements relating to emissions scope. Certification is conducted by accredited third-party bodies through robust processes, including audits, interviews, and site visits, offering a high level of assurance.

In summary: EcoVadis measures CSR maturity through internal reporting, while the Ladder certifies carbon performance via structured, third-party verification.

Application in Procurement:

• EcoVadis is commonly used to evaluate supplier ESG performance and benchmarking.
• The Ladder incorporates a built-in procurement incentive. Public and private sector buyers can award bonus points or fictitious discounts in tenders for suppliers achieving higher certification levels — directly linking sustainability performance to competitive advantage.

Broader Sustainability Measures:

• EcoVadis takes a broad ESG approach, assessing a wide range of environmental, social, and governance factors, offering a comprehensive view of corporate responsibility.
• The Ladder is primarily focused on carbon, but higher levels expand to include energy efficiency, circularity, stakeholder engagement, and full Scope 3 emissions management.

Additional Work Required

Organisations already rated by EcoVadis may still need to take the following steps to achieve CO₂ Performance Ladder certification:

• Implement a structured CO₂ management system based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle
• Calculate full Scope 1 and 2 emissions (and Scope 3 for higher certification levels)
• Set formal emissions reduction targets and demonstrate measurable progress
• Strengthen sustainable procurement with a specific focus on carbon

For organisations already certified under the Ladder, additional requirements for EcoVadis include:

• Expanding the focus beyond carbon to addressing all other EcoVadis themes: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

Summary at a Glance

Criteria	EcoVadis	CO2 Performance Ladder
Scope	Scope Comprehensive CSR assessment, covering multiple themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement	Specialized, certified carbon management system, emphasising GHG reduction and stakeholder involvement
Structure	Structure Second-party rating based on a documentary review, with an overall score and sub-scores for different themes	Third-party certification (five levels) with audits, interviews, and site visits
Procurement	Supports supplier evaluation and responsible sourcing; no direct incentive mechanism	Built-in incentives in tenders through bonus points or fictitious discounts for suppliers
Validation	Evidence-based rating reviewed by EcoVadis analysts; not formally certified	Third-party validation conducted by accredited certifying bodies
Cost Summary	Costs include the EcoVadis fee (which varies depending on company size and pricing plan) and internal effort to complete detailed questionnaires	Costs include system implementation, third-party audit fees, and SKAO contribution

Conclusion

EcoVadis offers a broad sustainability assessment framework, ideal for evaluating ESG performance across supply chains. The CO₂ Performance Ladder provides a specialised, certifiable approach to carbon management, with structured incentives in procurement. Used together, these tools can complement one another — EcoVadis strengthening supply chain transparency and CSR benchmarking, and the Ladder driving carbon reduction and competitive advantage in tenders.

To learn more about how your organisation can integrate the Ladder into your decarbonisation journey, contact us today.