CDP Worldwide

Analysis

CDP Worldwide is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in January 2008, 18 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 05013650). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending March 2025, CDP Worldwide reported income of £60.5m and spending of £52.9m, spending 87% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £23.7m to £60.5m (+155%), an average of +26% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 51%. Over the whole period it spent 86% of the income it received.

Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, CDP Worldwide sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Federation of Groundwork Trusts (£48.7m), Bre Trust (£64.8m) and The Warden and Scholars of St Mary College of Winchester (£45.9m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 40%, charitable activities 36% and trading 23%. Charitable activities took 73% of spending and raising funds 5.5%. Reserves of £31.0m would cover about 7 months of spending at that rate. It employed 516 people.