What type of business was this sustainability project for?

This project was delivered for a UK-based small or medium-sized enterprise operating in the cleaning and hygiene supplies sector.

What sustainability services were provided in this case study?

AORA Solutions provided carbon footprint reporting, emissions data sourcing, sustainability data integration, and scalable client-facing reporting process development.

How long did the carbon reporting project take?

The initial carbon reporting solution was developed and implemented over a four-month period.

What methodology was used for the carbon footprint calculations?

The carbon footprint calculations were based on vetted global carbon emission datasets with a transparent, traceable, and audit-ready methodology.

Can this carbon reporting approach be applied to other SMEs?

Yes. The reporting methodology and workflow are scalable and can be applied to other UK SMEs seeking client-level carbon transparency and sustainability reporting.

What Is EcoVadis? A Simple Guide to the EcoVadis Sustainability Rating

MARCH 6, 2026

Vanessa J Lopez

What is EcoVadis?

EcoVadis is one of the world’s largest and most widely used sustainability rating platforms, with more than 150,000 companies rated globally.

The EcoVadis sustainability rating evaluates how well a business manages its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities. Many companies use EcoVadis to assess suppliers, demonstrate sustainability performance, and identify areas for improvement.

The EcoVadis methodology reviews a company’s policies, actions, and measurable results to provide an independent evaluation of sustainability performance. This helps organisations understand how they manage ESG risks and opportunities across their operations and supply chains.

The Four Pillars of the EcoVadis Assessment

The EcoVadis assessment is structured around four key sustainability pillars:

Environment: covers environmental management, energy use, emissions, resource management, and climate action.
Labour and Human Rights: evaluates working conditions, employee wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and human rights protections.
Ethics: assesses business ethics policies such as anti-corruption, responsible conduct, and transparency.
Sustainable Procurement: reviews how companies manage sustainability risks within their supply chain, including supplier monitoring and responsible sourcing.

After completing the EcoVadis assessment, businesses receive both:

An overall EcoVadis score
Individual scores for each sustainability pillar

This helps organisations understand their strengths and areas for improvement in sustainability performance.

How the EcoVadis Questionnaire Works

The EcoVadis questionnaire is customised based on a company’s:

Industry
Company size
Geographic location

This ensures that businesses only answer questions that are relevant to their activities and risks. The assessment also allows companies to benchmark their sustainability performance against industry peers.

EcoVadis aligns its methodology with international sustainability standards and regulatory frameworks.

EcoVadis Scoring Methodology

EcoVadis uses a scoring system from 0 to 100 to measure sustainability performance.

Scores fall into four performance levels:

0–25: Insufficient (Red)

Indicates significant gaps in sustainability practices and a strong need for improvement.

26–50: Moderate (Orange)

Reflects an average performance with opportunities to strengthen policies and actions.

51–75: Good (Yellow)

Demonstrates solid sustainability management practices.

76–100: Advanced (Green)

Represents best-in-class sustainability performance.

EcoVadis calculates the final score by reviewing:

Policies (commitments and governance)
Implementation (actions and programs)
Measurable results (performance data and outcomes)

Depending on the final score, companies may receive an EcoVadis medal rating that recognises their sustainability performance relative to other assessed organisations.

EcoVadis Rating: Key Benefits for Businesses

An EcoVadis rating can provide several advantages for companies seeking to improve and communicate their sustainability performance:

Benchmarking against peers

Companies can compare their sustainability performance with other organisations in the same industry.

Clear roadmap for improvement

The assessment highlights gaps and provides recommendations for improving ESG performance.

Tracking sustainability progress over time

Businesses can measure year-on-year improvements in sustainability management.

Demonstrating sustainability credentials

Many companies use their EcoVadis rating to strengthen relationships with customers, investors, and supply chain partners.

Accessible for companies of all sizes

Businesses of any size or industry can participate because the questionnaire adapts to their level of complexity.

Why EcoVadis Matters for Supply Chains

Many global organisations now require suppliers to complete an EcoVadis sustainability assessment as part of their responsible sourcing and procurement processes.

For suppliers, a strong EcoVadis rating can help: