How does ESG scoring work?

What is an ESG score?

An ESG score indicates how far an organisation has progressed in managing its ESG impact: on the environment, people and governance. The score captures not just what a company does, but also how well it is embedded: through policy, measurement, targets, concrete actions, demonstrable results, external verification and transparent reporting.

Many ESG scores are opaque: based on questionnaires, weighted by third parties and impossible to reproduce. ESG Passport takes a different approach: every score is directly traceable to a specific combination of topic, activity and chain position.

The scoring structure: 16 topics × 7 activities

Each ESG topic is assessed across seven sequential activities. Together these form a maturity ladder: from doing nothing (score 0) to demonstrably optimal performance (score 10). Each activity score is based on objectively verifiable criteria, not subjective judgements.

The score band: 0 to 10

Each activity produces a score from 0 to 10. Scores are not averaged into a total score but shown individually, so you can see exactly where the organisation stands per activity. This makes prioritisation straightforward: a low score on "Target" while "Measurement" is already in order gives a clear next step.

A score of 0 represents an absolute zero: nothing is demonstrably in place. A score of 10 means no further improvement is possible on that activity. This makes the scale universally comparable, regardless of sector or company size.

Transparency: no black box

Many ESG assessment tools rely on opaque models: external weighting, aggregated scores per pillar and results that cannot be traced to specific choices. The risk: a high overall score masks poor performance on individual topics.

ESG Passport shows every score at the lowest level: per topic, per activity, per chain position. There is no hidden weighting. You see exactly what drove the score and what is needed to improve it. Each data point can be supported by a verification document.

Feature	Typical ESG tool	ESG Passport
Scoring method	Questionnaire + external weighting	Activity ladder per topic
Transparency	Aggregated total score	Score per topic × activity
Chain position	Own organisation only	Own, upstream & downstream
Verification	Not required	Documents per data point
Comparison	External benchmark	Current vs. target, delta analysis
Consolidation	Manual	Automatic, per activity rule

Scoring per chain position

ESG impact does not stop at your own walls. Much of your ESG risk lies with suppliers (upstream) or with customers using your products or services (downstream). ESG Passport therefore scores per chain position:

• Own organisation: the direct activities and impact of your own company.
• Upstream: suppliers, raw material extraction, subcontractors and the rest of the procurement chain.
• Downstream: customers, end users, distribution and the impact of your products or services after delivery.

From score to action

An ESG score is not an end in itself. ESG Passport also offers a comparison mode: you set a desired target score and see the delta per activity. This provides a concrete improvement path, with prioritisation based on impact and feasibility.