Free Tool

ESG Readiness Checker

Score your ESG preparedness and identify gaps before your next questionnaire arrives.

Assessment

Answer each question honestly. Select “Yes” (2 points), “Partially” (1 point), or “No” (0 points).

1

Environment

1.We track annual energy consumption (kWh electricity, gas, fuel)

2.We have calculated our Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions

3.We have a written environmental policy

4.We track and report waste volumes and recycling rates

5.We have environmental targets with specific deadlines

2

Social

6.We record total headcount and gender split

7.We track health and safety incidents and near-misses

8.We have a modern slavery statement (or know if one is required)

9.We provide documented employee training programmes

10.We conduct regular employee satisfaction surveys

3

Governance

11.We have an anti-bribery and corruption policy

12.We have a data protection policy and are ICO registered

13.Board or senior management reviews ESG matters at least quarterly

14.We have a documented whistleblowing/speak-up procedure

15.We maintain a risk register that includes ESG risks

4

Supply Chain

16.We have a supplier code of conduct

17.We assess key suppliers on ESG criteria

18.We can identify our top 10 suppliers by spend

19.We track supplier certifications (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.)

20.We have a process for responding to customer ESG questionnaires

Your Results

Results update live as you answer each question.

Overall Score

0/40

0%

Early stage

Score by Category

Environment
0/10Needs attention
Social
0/10Needs attention
Governance
0/10Needs attention
Supply Chain
0/10Needs attention

Category Breakdown

Environment

0/10

Needs attention

  • We track annual energy consumption (kWh electricity, gas, fuel)
  • We have calculated our Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions
  • We have a written environmental policy
  • We track and report waste volumes and recycling rates
  • We have environmental targets with specific deadlines

Social

0/10

Needs attention

  • We record total headcount and gender split
  • We track health and safety incidents and near-misses
  • We have a modern slavery statement (or know if one is required)
  • We provide documented employee training programmes
  • We conduct regular employee satisfaction surveys

Governance

0/10

Needs attention

  • We have an anti-bribery and corruption policy
  • We have a data protection policy and are ICO registered
  • Board or senior management reviews ESG matters at least quarterly
  • We have a documented whistleblowing/speak-up procedure
  • We maintain a risk register that includes ESG risks

Supply Chain

0/10

Needs attention

  • We have a supplier code of conduct
  • We assess key suppliers on ESG criteria
  • We can identify our top 10 suppliers by spend
  • We track supplier certifications (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.)
  • We have a process for responding to customer ESG questionnaires

What your score means

36–40: ESG ready

You have strong foundations across all categories. Focus on maintaining evidence currency and building a reusable answer library to respond faster. Consider the ESG questionnaire response template to structure your responses.

26–35: Well prepared

You are in good shape for most supplier questionnaires. Close gaps in your weakest category first — that is where buyers are most likely to probe. Our step-by-step response guide can help.

16–25: Making progress

You have some processes in place but notable gaps remain. Prioritise: (1) writing missing policies, (2) gathering quantitative data for the “No” items, and (3) centralising evidence. Start with the category where you scored lowest.

0–15: Early stage

You are at the beginning of your ESG journey. Focus on quick wins: write a basic environmental policy, gather your energy bills and headcount data, and document your existing health and safety practices. Most SMEs already do more than they think — the gap is often documentation, not action.

Methodology

Scoring — Each of the 20 questions is scored: “Yes” (2 points), “Partially” (1 point), or “No” (0 points). Maximum score is 40.

Categories — Questions are split across four ESG pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, and Supply Chain. Each has a maximum of 10.

Category ratings — 0–3 = Needs attention (red), 4–6 = In progress (amber), 7–10 = Well prepared (green).

Overall ratings — 0–15 = Early stage, 16–25 = Making progress, 26–35 = Well prepared, 36–40 = ESG ready.

This is a high-level indication of ESG readiness based on common questionnaire themes. It is not a substitute for a formal ESG audit. Questions are based on topics frequently asked in customer and investor ESG questionnaires received by UK SMEs.

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