CDP co-founder Paul Simpson to step down as CEO on June 30 and will leave at end of July; he has led CDP in embedding corporate disclosure on climate and environment into the mainstream, with 64% of global market capitalization disclosing via CDP in 2021

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LONDON , May 9, 2022 (press release) –

Today, CDP announced that Paul Simpson will be stepping down from his role as CEO of CDP. Simpson has been CEO for 12 years and will leave after 21 years at the organization, one he co-founded with Paul Dickinson, Tessa Tennant and Jeremy Smith.

Under Simpson’s leadership, CDP has successfully embedded corporate disclosure on climate and environment into the mainstream, with 64% of global market capitalization disclosing via the institution in 2021. CDP has also played a pivotal role in driving action to fight climate change around the world and was instrumental in the creation of the Science Based Targets Initiative, We Mean Business Coalition and The Investor Agenda, which have contributed to the acceleration of private sector action on climate. With Simpson’s focus on driving disclosure, insight and action via its disclosure platform, CDP is a pioneer in delivering mainstream data and insights on climate, water and forests to drive governments, business and finance leaders to act.

Since Simpson took the role of CEO in 2010, CDP has expanded its staff and geographic footprint. The organization has tripled in size to over 550 people in 19 countries and become truly global. Most importantly, disclosure through CDP has increased 53-fold since launch in 2002 and by 141% since 2015.

Paul Simpson said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at CDP over the past 21 years. Our work pioneering climate and environmental disclosure has truly reached the mainstream.

In 2021 over 13,000 companies, representing 64% of global market capitalization disclosed through CDP along with over 1,200 cities, states and regions. Some 3,000 companies have now committed to set a Science Based Target.

The recent developments from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the work of the EU on sustainability disclosure and taxonomy are built on foundations created by CDP. From humble beginnings and sustained by a bold vision and the support of countless colleagues and partners, I am extremely proud of what we have achieved with CDP which has been the result of hard work by the amazing team and stakeholders.

However, the climate and ecological crises are still accelerating. To provide us a chance of limiting warming to 1.5C, emissions need to be reduced by 7% p.a. this decade. Whilst awareness is high, and ambitious commitments are growing, we must drive more action rapidly.

This is the perfect time for me to reflect on what has been achieved so far and assess what further contribution I can make to solve the climate crisis, whilst also taking a break to spend quality time with my family. I look forward to exploring the next chapter of my career which will continue to be dedicated to pursuing solutions and making interventions to address this critical challenge.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked with CDP to help succeed in transforming capital markets, the corporate, government and city landscape over the past two decades, including the amazing CDP team, our funders, board members, partners and stakeholders from investors to disclosing entities.

CDP’s achievements are everyone’s success.

I will do everything in my power to ensure I leave CDP well and there is a well-executed transition. I will remain a strong advocate and ambassador for CDP and have full confidence in the amazing CDP team and wish them well for the future.”

Katherine Garrett-Cox, Chair of CDP said: “I would like to thank Paul for his leadership and commitment to CDP for the past 21 years. What he and the team have achieved has been transformational for the climate and nature agenda and Paul has created a legacy that will grow in coming years and decades. Whilst thanks in great part to CDP’s work, awareness of the environmental challenge has reached unprecedented heights, there’s an urgent task still ahead to limit global warming to 1.5C. With a strong leadership team and growth opportunities, CDP is in a unique position to further accelerate change. I look forward to seeing the CDP team continue to flourish and inspire on the next stage of the journey under a new CEO. I wish Paul the greatest of luck for his continued work on this critical challenge.”

Paul will be stepping down as CEO effective 30th of June and leaving the organization at the end of July. CDP is in the process of launching a search for its new CEO to ensure a smooth transition.

-Ends-

For more information or interview requests please contact:

Sarah Leatherbarrow, CDP, tel. +44 (0) 2038 183 973 | email: sarah.leatherbarrow@cdp.net
Sara Firouzyar, CDP, tel. +44 (0) 2038 183 973 | email: sara.firouzyar@cdp.net
About CDP

CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 680 investors with over $130 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Over 14,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2021, including more than 13,000 companies worth over 64% of global market capitalization, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. Fully TCFD aligned, CDP holds the largest environmental database in the world, and CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero carbon, sustainable and resilient economy. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.

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