Article
What are the recent EcoVadis methodology changes? Q2 2026 updates
In brief
Four updates landed in Q2 2026: Scope 2 targets must state their calculation methodology (market- or location-based); Select-specific consultations disappear in favour of a universal two-day factual error check; the Environment scorecard gains more granular Improvement Areas for Water, Biodiversity and Air pollution; and the biannual country risk review reclassifies ten countries. None of these rewards waiting — they reward precise, standards-aligned evidence.
What changes on 10 July 2026 for market- and location-based Scope 2 targets?
Affects: Policies; Energy Consumption & GHGs; sizes S and up. Applies to: Sustainability Rating and Carbon Rating.
EcoVadis moves from a single, undifferentiated Scope 2 target option to a mandatory selection of the calculation methodology: market-based or location-based. After five years of Carbon Ratings and more than 100,000 Carbon Scorecards, the maturity of rated companies supports this granularity. The update follows the 7 May 2026 Scope 2 reporting change and aligns the questionnaire with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard.
Why: standardised interoperability (one internationally recognised set of climate targets across platforms) and actionable insights (location-based targets reflect the physical grid mix; market-based targets reflect contractual energy procurement, i.e. active decarbonisation choices such as renewable procurement).
The option "We have an absolute scope 2 reduction target" remains; respondents now also select market-based or location-based. No change to scoring or to Strengths/Improvement Areas generation.
Why do the Select Check Up and the Score Drop consultation end on 15 July 2026?
Affects: all themes, all sizes, Select subscriptions.
EcoVadis discontinues the Select Check Up (outreach for corrupted documents or certificates declared without evidence) and the Score Drop consultation for Select companies below 50,000 employees. The Score Drop outreach for companies above 50,000 employees remains.
The replacement, launched July 2026 for everyone: a factual error check — scorecard results are visible exclusively to the rated company for two business days before network publication, during which factual errors can be reported. Practical consequence for SMEs: no one will call you about a corrupted PDF or a declared-but-unattached certificate any more. Submission quality control is now entirely on your side, before you submit.
What do the new scorecard Improvement Areas of 15 July 2026 add?
Affects: Environment; sizes S and up.
Third batch of the granularity programme: the scorecard moves from broad Improvement Areas to highly specific, diagnostic feedback mapping directly to sector best practices already present in the questionnaire. If a practice is not identified as in place, it is explicitly flagged as an Improvement Area. These specific areas are examples of available actions, not mandatory requirements. This batch applies to the Environment criteria Water, Biodiversity and Air pollution.
What changes in the August 2026 country risk update?
Countries are classified Low/Medium/High risk from 23 international indexes (Environment, Health & Safety, Human Rights, Governance), reviewed biannually. This round incorporates conflict data (World Bank) and carbon data adjustments.
Conflict adjustments affect theme-level data for Iran, Libya and Papua New Guinea — no impact on scores. Carbon risk adjustments change overall country risk levels — which can change scores for companies in:
| Country | January 2026 | August 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | Low | Medium |
| Ghana | High | Medium |
| Guyana | High | Medium |
| Indonesia | High | Medium |
| Paraguay | Medium | High |
| Poland | Medium | Low |
| Seychelles | Medium | Low |
| South Africa | High | Medium |
| Timor-Leste | Medium | High |
| Turkey | High | Medium |
Key takeaways
- Scope 2 targets now require the market-based / location-based methodology selection — align with the GHG Protocol before your next submission.
- Select safety nets are gone: use the two-business-day factual error check, and control document quality before submitting.
- Environment Improvement Areas (Water, Biodiversity, Air pollution) become diagnostic — read them as a to-do list of sector best practices.
- Ten countries change risk level in August 2026; check whether your operating locations are affected.