Insights
Clear definitions of the sustainability, climate, and ESG terms that matter most — from CBAM and CSRD to SBTi and PCAF. Written by Semtrio's advisory team.
EcoVadis badges are the recognition below medal level: the Committed badge (a rated score of at least 45 but below the medal percentile) and the Fast Track badge (an improvement of at least 6 points to a 34–44 score). Both are public and valid 12 months, and are a realistic first goal for new or improving companies.
EcoVadis medal levels are the recognition tiers — Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum — awarded on top of an EcoVadis sustainability rating based on a company's overall score, and used as a supply-chain qualification signal by corporate buyers.
An EcoVadis scorecard is a company's EcoVadis assessment result — an overall 0–100 score, scores across the four themes, a medal or badge, and strengths and improvement areas. It is valid for 12 months and is what buyers request as proof of sustainability performance.
The EcoVadis scoring methodology assesses sustainability management across four themes and 21 criteria, scored through seven indicators grouped in three layers (management, actions, results) and expressed as a single 0–100 score, weighted by a company's size, sector and country risk.
The EEIO (Environmentally Extended Input-Output) method estimates greenhouse gas emissions by applying economic sector-average emission factors to how much money is spent, allowing a whole value chain to be screened quickly when activity data is missing.
An emission allowance is a tradable unit representing the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) in an emissions trading system; it is created within the system's cap and retired on surrender.
If you're working through a regulatory framework or sustainability challenge and need clarity on a specific term or concept — our team is here to help directly.
