View all The ESG Ratings Working Group held its fifth session of 2026 on Wednesday, July 29th, featuring Bettina Grabmayr, VP of Methodology and Research at EcoVadis.
The conversation focused on how EcoVadis is evolving its ratings and operations in a changing landscape, and what that means for companies using the scores and/or being assessed themselves.
Bettina described their SME-heavy data collection and 360 Watch process and shared how AI now supports EcoVadis’s controversy screening and analyst efficiency. She also emphasized that human judgment remains central. Bettina outlined EcoVadis’s increasing company engagement and spend influence as its ratings are embedded in more RFPs and purchasing decisions. Bettina also highlighted emerging work on climate transition, physical risk, and climate resilience as well as ongoing methodology adjustments, analyst training, and alignment with new reporting standards.
The member-only discussion included reflections on EcoVadis' growing influence and strong, ongoing demand for supplier sustainability ratings despite broader shifts in the ESG landscape. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the continued importance of human judgment in sustainability assessments. The session concluded with a brief current events discussion, including member reactions to CDP's revised 2027 disclosure timeline, followed by a preview of upcoming sessions.