The key difference comes down to one thing: a ranking adds a layer of competitive intelligence that a rating doesn’t.

  • A rating measures you against a fixed standard. An independent body scores you on defined criteria (e.g., CDP, EcoVadis, MSCI or Sustainalytics). Your result depends on your own performance, so managing it is largely inward-looking: understand the methodology, close disclosure gaps, and evidence your performance to reach the highest possible score. 

Crucially, a rating doesn’t necessarily show where you stand against your peers — two competitors can hold the same grade, and the score alone won’t reveal who is ahead. 

  • A ranking measures you against your peers. It places you in a league table relative to competitors — so your position depends not only on what you do, but on what everyone else does. 

A ranking also gives you immediate visibility of your relative position — you can see at a glance exactly where you stand versus the competition, something a rating doesn’t inherently provide. 

Managing a ranking requires everything a rating does — plus a layer of visible competitive intelligence: continuously monitoring peers and prioritizing the improvements that deliver the greatest gains in your relative position.