Partner services
Carbon Reduction Plans for public sector suppliers
Bidding for a major government contract? Under PPN 006, you'll need a compliant Carbon Reduction Plan before you can get past selection. We arrange a plan that meets the standard, built on a full carbon footprint and science-aligned targets, so it holds up when the buyer checks it and keeps working for you afterwards.
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Built to
- PPN 006
- GHG Protocol
- Science-based targets
- What you get
- Your Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon footprint, near-term and long-term targets, and a dated reduction plan, ready for director sign-off and publication
- Delivered by
- Our specialist sustainability partner, arranged and co-ordinated by Advice Cloud
Why it matters
Why government buyers ask for a Carbon Reduction Plan
The UK is legally committed to net zero by 2050, and government wants its supply chain heading the same way. Procurement Policy Note 006 (PPN 006) tells central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies to make a Carbon Reduction Plan a condition of participation for contracts worth more than £5 million a year.
At selection, the plan is pass or fail. It isn't scored against other bidders, but a missing, out-of-date or non-compliant plan stops your bid there.
- Clear the condition of participation on contracts and framework lots that require a plan
- Ready before the tender lands, rather than measuring a footprint against a deadline
- Real evidence for net zero questions, backed by measured data and dated actions
Where it's required
When you'll be asked for a Carbon Reduction Plan
The requirement follows contract value, and some frameworks apply it to whole lots. These positions were checked on 14th November 2026.
Central government contracts over £5m a year
Under PPN 006, where the estimated value is above £5 million a year including VAT, averaged over the life of the contract. A four-year, £21 million contract is in scope even if year one is smaller.
Digital Outcomes and Specialists 7, Lot 2
Every supplier on DOS 7 Lot 2 must have a Carbon Reduction Plan, and the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) monitors compliance on an ongoing basis.
Frameworks and dynamic markets
PPN 006 applies where an individual call-off is expected to exceed £5 million a year, and buyers may check you're still committed to net zero before they award.
The requirements
What goes into a Carbon Reduction Plan
PPN 006 sets a minimum standard. A plan built only to that minimum gets you through selection. A plan built on a full footprint and real targets gives you something to manage the business with, and a stronger answer when buyers ask how you'll cut emissions on their contract.
| Element | PPN 006 minimum | The plan we arrange |
|---|---|---|
| Net zero commitment | Net zero by 2050 at the latest, for UK operations | A net zero date set in line with science-based targets, which may be earlier than 2050 |
| Targets | A projected reduction over the next five years | Near-term and long-term reduction targets |
| Emissions data | Baseline and current year: Scope 1, Scope 2 and five Scope 3 categories, in tonnes of CO2e | Baseline and most recent reporting year across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 |
| Breakdown | Not specified | Emissions by category, so you can see where to act first |
| Intensity metrics | Not specified | Carbon intensity measures, such as emissions per employee or per £1 million of revenue, so growth doesn't hide progress |
| Progress | A graph is suggested, not required | Emissions tracked against your targets |
| Reduction measures | Brief details of completed and future initiatives | Completed initiatives, plus future plans with specific policies and target dates |
| Sign-off | Approved by a director, published on your UK website, updated at least annually | The same, prepared ready for your board to approve and publish |
Scope 1, 2 and 3 in plain English
Scope 1 is what you burn directly, such as gas boilers and company vehicles. Scope 2 is the energy you buy, mainly electricity. Scope 3 is everything else in your value chain, from the goods and services you buy to how your people travel.
PPN 006 asks for five Scope 3 categories: upstream transport and distribution, waste from operations, business travel, employee commuting, and downstream transport and distribution.
How a plan comes together
- 1Gather the data. Energy, travel, spend and a short staff commuting survey.
- 2Measure your footprint. Calculated to the GHG Protocol using government conversion factors.
- 3Set your targets. A net zero date, with near-term and long-term milestones.
- 4Plan the reductions. Specific actions, owners and dates, focused on your biggest sources.
- 5Sign off and publish. Approved by a director and published on your website.
- 6Keep it current. Update it at least once a year, within six months of your financial year end.
How we help
A plan that passes, and a plan you can use
We work with a specialist sustainability partner who has produced Carbon Reduction Plans for suppliers across the public sector, including our own. We stay involved throughout, so your plan is ready for the contracts and frameworks you're going for, and your bid team knows how to use it.
- 1
Talk to us
We check which contracts and frameworks need a plan, and by when.
- 2
Scope and proposal
You get a clear scope and proposal based on your size and the data you hold.
- 3
Measure and plan
Your footprint is measured, your targets set and your plan written.
- 4
Publish and renew
You sign off and publish, and we remind you when the annual update is due.
Talk to us about your Carbon Reduction Plan
Tell us what you need and we'll come back to you, or book a call with one of our team.
Speak with our Carbon Reduction Plan experts
Pick a time that suits you. We'll talk through the contracts you're going for, whether they need a plan, and how quickly you need one.
Carbon Reduction Plans: your questions answered
What is a Carbon Reduction Plan?
A published document that commits your organisation to net zero by 2050 or sooner, reports your carbon emissions, and sets out the measures you have in place and planned to reduce them. Government uses it to check that major suppliers are heading in the same direction it is.
Do I need a Carbon Reduction Plan for every public sector contract?
No. PPN 006 applies to central government contracts worth more than £5 million a year, and to framework call-offs above that value. Some frameworks also require one for a whole lot, such as DOS 7 Lot 2. GCA's own advice is that a plan can help even when it isn't required, because it makes it easier to move up to larger opportunities.
Social value is scored separately from your plan, and our social value strategy service helps you prepare for it.
What's the difference between PPN 006 and PPN 06/21?
PPN 006 is the updated note for procurements started under the Procurement Act 2023, from 24th February 2025. It keeps the same basic requirements. PPN 06/21 still applies to procurements and contracts that began before that date.
Is a Carbon Reduction Plan scored in a tender?
At selection, no. It's pass or fail against the required standard, and plans aren't compared with each other. But a plan that's missing, out of date or doesn't confirm your net zero commitment will fail, and your bid goes no further.
Does my net zero date have to be 2050?
2050 is the latest date PPN 006 accepts. Many organisations set an earlier date in line with science-based targets, which shows a stronger commitment and gives you clearer milestones to work to.
Which emissions does a Carbon Reduction Plan need to include?
Scope 1, Scope 2 and five Scope 3 categories: upstream transport and distribution, waste from operations, business travel, employee commuting, and downstream transport and distribution. All reported in tonnes of CO2e, for your baseline year and your most recent year.
Can we use our parent company's Carbon Reduction Plan?
Only in limited cases. You must be wholly owned by the parent, the plan must state that it applies to you, its measures must apply to the contract, and it must be published on your own website. Government treats this as a temporary measure, so plan for one of your own.
How often do I need to update it?
At least once a year, within six months of your financial year end. GCA expects the emissions data to cover a reporting period within the last 18 months, and the plan to have been published on your website in the last 12 months.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
Both depend on the size of your organisation and how much of the data you already hold. You'll have a scope and proposal before you commit. If a tender deadline is close, talk to us early.
Who does the work?
Our specialist sustainability partner measures your footprint and writes the plan, with Advice Cloud involved throughout. You'll know exactly who is doing the work before you commit to anything.