How Ticks Evaluates Companies and Reports on Environmental Credentials

In an age where climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are mounting global concerns, consumers are increasingly seeking to make environmentally responsible purchasing decisions. However, navigating the complex and often opaque claims made by corporations can be difficult. This is where Ticks, an independent evaluation organisation, steps in.

Ticks provides clear, trustworthy, and data-backed assessments of how businesses impact the environment. The organisation evaluates companies across a wide range of sectors and produces publicly accessible reports and certifications that help consumers, investors, and stakeholders identify genuinely sustainable businesses.

1. The Mission and Philosophy of Ticks

To empower consumers and stakeholders to make informed choices by providing transparent, credible, and comprehensive environmental evaluations of businesses.

Ticks operates on four core principles:

• Transparency – All evaluation criteria and methodologies are publicly available.
• Credibility – Evaluations are based on peer-reviewed science and verified data.
• Equity – Companies are evaluated relative to their sector and context.
• Impact – Ticks rewards improvement and exposes greenwashing.

2. The Evaluation Framework

Ticks uses a multi-dimensional framework with six key categories:

1. Carbon and Climate Impact
2. Resource Efficiency and Waste
3. Water Stewardship
4. Biodiversity and Land Use
5. Chemical Use and Pollution
6. Environmental Governance and Transparency

2.1 Carbon and Climate Impact

• Total GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3)
• Emissions intensity
• Science-based targets
• Renewable energy use
• TCFD-aligned disclosures
• Credible offsets/removals

2.2 Resource Efficiency and Waste

• Recycled and circular materials
• Packaging sustainability
• Waste per unit of output
• Diversion from landfill
• Product lifecycle impacts

2.3 Water Stewardship

• Total water withdrawal and intensity
• Use in water-stressed regions
• Recycling and treatment efforts
• Effluent discharge controls
• Community water engagement

2.4 Biodiversity and Land Use

• Land use change and deforestation
• Impact on sensitive ecosystems
• FSC/RSPO certification
• Habitat restoration projects
• Species and ecosystem impact

2.5 Chemical Use and Pollution

• Hazardous substance use
• Air, water, and soil pollution
• Disposal and safety measures
• Phasing out toxic chemicals
• Compliance with REACH, RoHS

2.6 Environmental Governance and Transparency

• Environmental management systems
• Board-level ESG oversight
• Sustainability-linked KPIs
• Public disclosures and stakeholder engagement
• Whistleblower protection

3. Data Collection and Verification

3.1 Data Sources

• Company reports (annual, ESG)
• Certifications (e.g., ISO, B-Corp)
• Regulatory filings
• Satellite and remote sensing
• Media and NGO reports
• Voluntary company submissions

3.2 Verification and QA

• Cross-checking multiple sources
• Benchmarking against CDP, GRI, SASB
• Expert peer review for sensitive sectors
• AI tools to detect greenwashing
• Random audits and penalties for misinformation

4. Sector-Specific Evaluation Models

Ticks adjusts scoring based on industry context:

• Retail: Focus on packaging and supply chain
• Mining: Emphasis on land, water, and tailings
• Tech: Energy and e-waste
• Finance: Fossil fuel exposure, green finance
• Agriculture: Water use, deforestation, chemicals

5. Scoring and Rating System

Ticks highlights top performers as Leaders, and flags Greenwashers where warranted.

6. Public Reporting and Certification

6.1 Company Reports

Each report includes:

• Overall score and rating
• Category-by-category breakdown
• Improvement suggestions
• Benchmark comparisons
• Controversy alerts

6.2 Certification Marks

Companies scoring 4 or 5 ticks may display:

• Ticks Certified: Gold or Platinum
• Use in marketing and investor relations
• Revocation possible upon decline or violations

6.3 Consumer-Facing App

Features include:

• Company and product lookup
• Score comparisons
• Impact tracking tools
• User feedback on companies

7. Stakeholder Engagement

Ticks collaborates with:

• NGOs for validation and advocacy
• Academics for methodological review
• Governments on ESG disclosure policy
• Companies on improvement roadmaps
• Consumers via forums and feedback tools

8. Impact and Accountability

Ticks measures its own impact via:

• Number of companies improved
• Reduction in misleading green claims
• Public engagement with data
• Policy and media references to Ticks scores

As environmental challenges grow more urgent, the role of watchdog organisations like Ticks is becoming indispensable. By rigorously evaluating businesses, publishing transparent and credible reports, and empowering consumers to make informed choices, Ticks is helping to create a marketplace where sustainability is no longer a marketing gimmick, but a measurable and accountable practice.

Through its blend of scientific rigor, transparency, and innovation, Ticks ensures that environmental responsibility is not just a promise—but a performance that can be tracked, rated, and improved.