The Rigorous Methodologies Behind Our Solutions
We are committed to being fully transparent about our methodologies and processes, so you can feel confident that you are being guided by the best available data and signals.
We believe in being upfront with our clients about how we gather data and assign ratings. That’s why we disclose all our methodologies publicly through our methodology library. By maximizing the amount of information we share, people and institutions are empowered to select the solutions that best achieve their sustainable investment objectives—and generate real-world impact.
Our Corporate Rating Methodology
Our Methodology Document provides detailed information about how we evaluate the sustainability performance of companies and support our clients’ reporting needs in specific jurisdictions. Our Survey Summary Report details our rating process and shows the results of our inaugural Corporate Rating Survey.
How Our Research Methodology Ensures Quality and Integrity
Our research is grounded in a robust, transparent methodology that’s supported by rigorous quality controls—including multi-layered review processes, analyst oversight, and stakeholder feedback loops.
Our Methodology Team stays abreast of highly dynamic trends, developments, and client needs to forge an agile, forward-looking, “first mover” approach to data collection, methodology, and product development. The team works closely with product, research, and public affairs teams to initiate and agree upon methodology developments.
The Methodology Review Board guides, steers, and vets the Methodology Development Strategy and Process. They set and agree upon the overall objectives and strategic targets—clarifying, reviewing and reassessing priorities. They are empowered to initiate and confirm specific new methodology developments or adjustments as needed.
We follow a rigorous, multi-source approach to data collection and verification. In addition to systematically reviewing corporate disclosures, analysts evaluate alternative data from media, social platforms, NGOs, and government agencies to provide a well-rounded view. Source information is generally publicly available, appropriately documented and assessed for accuracy. In addition to scheduled annual updates, significant events—such as corporate actions—may trigger ad hoc updates to ensure ratings and assessments remain current and reliable.
To address gaps in availability, consistency, or reliability of reported data, we supplement corporate disclosures with alternative sources such as media, modeled data, and contextual information. Because disclosures are typically self-reported annually for the prior fiscal year, there is a natural time lag. We mitigate this by aligning updates to reporting cycles and incorporating more immediate sources like media coverage. Our methodologies are designed to critically assess the credibility of forward-looking commitments, recognizing that these inherently involve some uncertainty. While our research covers a broad universe of entities, coverage gaps are still possible. To address this, we continually expand our universe and, when appropriate, assign research outcomes to related issuers to support a more comprehensive picture.
Methodology Documents
You can access our complete library of methodology documents here.
- Norm-Based Research – Regulatory Disclosure
- Norm-Based Research – Overview
- Controversial Weapons Research – Regulatory Disclosure
- Controversial Weapons Research – Overview
- Energy & Extractives Screening – Overview
- Sector-Based Screening – Overview
- Global Sanctions Screening – Overview
- Modern Slavery Solution – Regulatory Disclosure
- Modern Slavery Solution – Overview
- Corporate Rating – Regulatory Disclosure
- Corporate Rating – Overview
- Sovereign Rating – Regulatory Disclosure
- Sovereign Rating – Overview
- Muni QualityScore – Regulatory Disclosure
- Muni QualityScore – Overview
- E & S Disclosure QualityScore – Regulatory Disclosure
- E & S Disclosure QualityScore – Overview
- Governance QualityScore – Regulatory Disclosure
- Governance QualityScore – Overview
- Cyber Risk Score – Regulatory Disclosure
- Cyber Risk Score – Overview
- SDG Solutions Assessment – Regulatory Disclosure
- SDG Solutions Assessment – Overview
- SDG Impact Rating – Regulatory Disclosure
- SDG Impact Rating – Overview
- EVA Financial Data – Overview
- Fund Rating – Regulatory Disclosure
- Fund Rating – Overview
- Sustainability Bond Rating – Regulatory Disclosure
- Sustainability Bond Rating – Overview
- Scenario Analysis
- Net Zero – Regulatory Disclosure
- Net Zero – Overview
- Biodiversity Impact Assessment Tool – Regulatory Disclosure
- Biodiversity Impact Assessment Tool – Overview
- Water Risk Rating – Regulatory Disclosure
- Water Risk Rating – Overview
- Carbon Risk Rating – Regulatory Disclosure
- Carbon Risk Rating – Overview
- Carbon Footprint – Overview