Takeaways

• CDP is separating into two organizations while receiving investment from Permira.
• The restructuring aims to strengthen environmental disclosure services and data insights.
• CDP says its disclosure cycle and customer services will continue without disruption.

CDP, one of the world's best-known environmental disclosure organizations, is undergoing a major transformation after announcing plans to split into two separate entities while securing private equity backing from Permira.

The move marks the first investment under Permira's energy transition strategy and is expected to help CDP expand its capabilities and better serve organizations reporting environmental data. While the companies confirmed the agreement, they did not disclose financial details or ownership arrangements.

Under the new structure, the CDP Foundation will continue to hold a stake in CDP and retain representation on the board. Both organizations said they will remain aligned around a shared mission of providing information that supports environmentally responsible decision-making.

According to CDP, the restructuring is designed to help the organization respond more effectively to growing environmental and market demands. By creating two entities, the group aims to sharpen its focus, allocate resources more efficiently, and increase its overall impact.

Read More: Understanding the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), Scores, Climate & Sustainability

A CDP spokesperson said the environmental and business challenges facing organizations today require greater speed and scale. The new arrangement, they noted, will allow CDP to direct its expertise, investments, and resources toward areas where it can generate the greatest value.

The fresh Permira investment is also expected to improve the experience of organizations that use CDP's platform for sustainability reporting and environmental disclosure. The company plans to enhance data insights, streamline reporting processes, and provide customers with more useful information to support decision-making.

Founded in 2000, CDP has played a significant role in advancing corporate climate disclosure worldwide. Over the past two decades, it has helped businesses, financial institutions, cities, and regional governments measure and report environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and climate-related risks.

The organization has become a key player in the global sustainability ecosystem, providing a standardized framework that enables stakeholders to compare environmental performance and track progress over time.

Despite economic uncertainty and shifting political attitudes toward sustainability initiatives, CDP continues to see strong participation. The nonprofit recently reported that more than 23,100 companies, cities, states, and regions submitted environmental data through its platform during 2025. The figure highlights the growing importance of transparent environmental reporting for organizations around the world.

The announcement comes as demand for reliable sustainability data continues to rise among investors, regulators, and businesses. As organizations face increasing pressure to disclose environmental impacts and climate-related risks, platforms that support accurate reporting are becoming more important than ever.

CDP said its existing products, services, and the 2026 disclosure cycle will continue as planned during the transition. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Also Read: ESG Reporting Tools: Best Practices for Creating Impactful Disclosures

The deal represents a significant milestone for both organizations, combining CDP's long-standing leadership in environmental disclosure with Permira's focus on supporting businesses involved in the global energy transition strategy. Together, they hope to strengthen the infrastructure behind sustainability reporting and help organizations make more informed environmental decisions.

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Source: ESGDIVE