Carbon Reduction Plans
Get a fully compliant Carbon Reduction Plan — fast, affordable, and ready for your next tender.
We specialise in creating Carbon Reduction Plans that meet the exact requirements of PPN06/21, PPN006, and the Procurement Act 2023 — ideal for NHS suppliers, MOD contracts, and public sector tenders. Our streamlined process saves you time, avoids complexity, and guarantees compliance.
We specialise in delivering Carbon Reduction Plans that fully comply with PPN06/21 for NHS suppliers, MOD contracts, and public tenders, all through a streamlined 3-step process designed to save you time and hassle.
Calculate
Reduce
Report
It will help you to:
- Make a start to your carbon journey by calculating and understanding your emissions.
- Submit your carbon numbers to your customers.
- Write a carbon reduction plan for a contract tender.
Our process
- Calculate
We calculate your carbon footprint, including all the activities your business does that emit greenhouse gases, across all categories of activity identified by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol throughout your value chain (from raw material to end of life).
Identify emissions categories
The first step in the process is to identify all of the emissions-causing activities in your business that are relevant for your needs.
Carbon Reduction Plan To PPN06/21 or PPN006
Carbon Reduction Plan Full Scope 1-3
A PPN06/21 or PPN006 calculation involves just the categories shown in green.
A full Scope 1-3 calculation involves identifying all significant categories for your business.
Collect data on your activities
Once we have identified all your significant emissions causing activities, we ask you to collect the data we need to do the calculation, which you provide through our secure online portal.
We try to make this as painless as possible by; starting with the data you already have; asking only for the specific data we need; and by allowing you to either type the data into the portal or upload files containing it.
Calculate your carbon footprint
Once we have received your data, we do the number crunching for you, ensuring that the calculation complies with the GHG protocol standard. We provide a comprehensive, but easy to read report that provides clarity on exactly where your emissions and contributions have come from.
Do you use a recognised standard?
Yes, we adhere to The GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. this is the most widely used standard in the world and ensures consistency. We also use the GHG Corporate Value Chain Standard to provide a full Scope 3 analysis. If you are considering another approach please do check whether it will provide a full Scope 3 analysis, or you may miss the lion’s share of your footprint. If you would like to know more, our explanation of terms contains a description of Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Our reports also fully meet the requirements of PPN06/21 (which also references the GHG protocol).
Does it need to be this complex?
We appreciate that this sounds complicated, but we have simplified the process by creating a unique structured questionnaire, which we guide you through in your kick-off meeting, designed to rapidly identify all your emission and contributions and the data you already have about those activities. We always try to start by working with the data you already have.
It also gets easier as we go along. In subsequent years we just need to identify:
- What has changed in your business that might affect the calculation?
- Can we make any improvements to accuracy by collecting more or new data?
- Reduce
We help you to set sensible targets to reduce your footprint, that are in line with the latest scientific thinking on climate change, and to create a practical action plan to get there.
Target setting
First, we help you to set sensible targets to reduce your footprint, that are in line with the latest scientific thinking on climate change, and to create a practical action plan to get there.
We ask you to set science-based near targets that are aligned with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Everyone sets “near-term” targets – typically over a 5 to 10 year period
For a PPN06/21 compliant report you will also need to choose a Net Zero target year.
Action planning
Then we help you create an action plan for the next 12 months, containing concrete actions that will:
- Reduce your carbon footprint
- Improve data collection
- Engage your stakeholders in the effort
For a PPN06/21 or PPN006 compliant report you will also need to identify the emissions reduction activities you completed in the last year.
- Report
We produce a compliant report that you can provide to anyone who requests you to disclose your carbon footprint.
Publish your Carbon Reduction Plan
The final step is to produce a compliant report that you can provide to anyone who requests you to disclose your carbon footprint.
A compliant report includes the following information:
- A Net Zero commitment (no later than 2050)
- Your baseline carbon footprint
- Your current carbon footprint
- Your near term targets
- A summary of completed carbon reduction activities
- Carbon reduction activities you plan to do
- A commitment signed by a company Director
For PPN06/21 or PPN006, your report must be hosted on your website. If this is not possible then we can host it for for you.
Types of Carbon Reduction Plans
We offer 2 types of CRP depending on your customer’s requirements
Carbon Reduction Plan To PPN06/21 or PPN006
- Required if you are bidding for a government contract or seeking to supply under a framework agreement worth over £5m for Central Government or an arms-length public body (Procurement Act 2023).
- Meets the minimum requirements for PPN06/21 and PPN006.
- Includes the production and hosting of a PPN06/21 or PPN006 compliant report.
Carbon Reduction Plan Full Scope 1-3
- Required for disclosure of your full Scope 1-3 carbon footprint according to the GHG Protocol.
- Includes setting of science-based reduction targets and definition of an action plan to reduce your emissions.
- Required for enhanced NHS reporting in 2027 or for a CDP/SBTi disclosure.
- Includes the production and hosting of a PPN06/21 or PPN006 compliant report.
Your Carbon Reduction Plan Report
Carbon Reduction Plan FAQs
What is a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)?
A Carbon Reduction Plan is a document that sets out your organisation’s current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the actions you are taking to reduce them. It is required under Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21 for certain public sector contracts and under PPN 006 for public sector contracts that fall under the auspices of the Procurement Act 2023, to demonstrate your commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050. The Welsh government has adopted a similar policy known as WPPN 06/21.
Why do I need to submit a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)?
PPN006 and PPN 06/21 mandate that suppliers bidding for major government contracts must provide a CRP. This ensures that suppliers align with the UK Government’s Net Zero target and demonstrate transparency in their carbon reduction efforts.
What does PPN006 or PPN 06/21 compliance mean?
Compliance means your CRP must:
- Report your current carbon emissions for Scope 1, Scope 2, and a defined set of Scope 3 categories.
- Include emissions data for the most recent 12-month period.
- State your commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 (or before).
- Outline the carbon reduction measures you have in place and planned actions to reduce emissions.
- Be signed by a senior leader.
What is the difference between PPN006, PPN 06/21 and WPPN 06/21?
PPN 006 was published to reflect new terminology introduced by the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024, which came into effect on 24 February 2025.
For procurements commenced and contracts awarded before this date, PPN 06/21 should be used.
WPPN 06/21 is an adoption of the UK PPN for use by the Welsh public sector.
The requirements of the PPNs are practically identical.
What are Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions?
- Scope 1: Emissions that take place within the assets the company owns or controls (e.g. company vehicles, on-site fuel combustion such as gas heating).
- Scope 2: Emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam (they are in a separate scope as the emissions occur in the power station). This is often just electricity you use from the national grid.
- Scope 3: Emissions associated with your supply-chain, employees and customers’ use of your products/services. Only specific categories are required under PPN006 and PPN 06/ (transportation & storage, business travel, customer travel to your premises, waste disposal & employee commuting)
What does the most recent 12-month period mean?
We recommended that you use your most recent financial year. Alternatively, you might choose to use the most recent calendar year. The PPN requires the end of the reporting period in your CRP to be no more than 12 months prior to the date of commencement of the procurement (PPN 06/21) or the date of the tender notice being published (PPN 006).
Do I need to use a specific format for the CRP?
Yes. The CRP should follow the template provided in the PPN006 or PPN 06/21 guidance. This includes:
- A summary of your emissions.
- A declaration of commitment to Net Zero.
- Details of carbon reduction measures.
- A signed statement by a senior leader.
Go Climate Positive will produce your CRP in accordance with the required format and provide you with the PDF file.
Where should the CRP be published?
The CRP should be published in a prominent place on the bidding organisation’s website. We recommend using a PDF format for this.
If time is tight, Go Climate Positive can host your CRP for you and provide a link for you to provide in the tender documents. However, we would still recommend publishing on your company website as soon as possible.
How often should the CRP be updated?
Your CRP must be updated annually to reflect your most recent emissions data and progress on reduction measures. This ensures transparency and continuous improvement.
Does the CRP have to be signed?
Yes. Your CRP must be signed by a company Director, or someone of equivalent status who is able to make a commitment on behalf of your organisation. You must include the signatories name, position and the date. (Note: a “wet” or hand-written signature is not required).
What data will we need to collect?
This depends on the activities your business does. We can’t be specific until we get into the detail, but it is likely to include some or all of the following:
- Heating, fuel and electricity bills or meter readings.
- Company car mileage records or a download of your fuel card data.
- Waste transfer notices or summaries from your waste management company.
- Records of inbound and outbound deliveries.
- Business mileage records and records of travel on public transport.
- An estimate of employee commuting mileage and mode of transport (we have various tools to make this easier).
- An estimate of customer travel mileage and mode of transport if they must come to your premises to use your services (e.g. retail shops, restaurants and hotels).
Go Climate Positive have a huge experience in working with companies to collect the data needed and we will work with the data you already have to make it as painless as possible.
How do we decide what carbon reduction measures to commit to?
The PPN requires you to commit to implementing at least 1 carbon reduction measure during the period of the contract. As a guide anything that does one of the following will result in carbon reduction and should be acceptable:
- Reducing the consumption of energy or eliminating equipment that uses energy.
- Reducing the amount of materials purchased or using more recycled/reused materials.
- Reducing the amount of waste generated.
- Educating or incentivising your staff, suppliers or customers about measures they can take to do any of the above.
You will also need to identify at least 1 carbon reduction measure you have already completed.
Go Climate Positive have extensive experience in helping companies write CRPs and we have a checklist of carbon reduction measures you can use to help build your plan.
What if my organisation is small or has limited data?
Small suppliers are still required to submit a CRP, but the approach can be proportionate:
- Use best available estimates if precise data is not available.
- Focus on practical, achievable measures such as reducing energy use, switching to renewable tariffs, and minimising travel.
- Clearly state any assumptions or limitations in your data.
- Commit to improving data quality over time and outline steps for doing so.
The key is to demonstrate commitment and transparency, even if your emissions are relatively low.
Go Climate Positive specialises in supporting small-medium sized businesses and we can guide you through the process to ensure your plan is both compliant and practical. We do the calculations for you, making the process as easy and quick as possible.
What if my organisation’s parent company has published a CRP?
The CRP should be specific to the organisation submitting the bid. However, a CRP that covers both the bidding organisation and its parent is allowed provided all the following criteria are met:
- the bidding organisation is wholly owned by the parent
- the commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 for UK operations is set out in the CRP for the parent and a statement that this will apply to the bidding organisation is included.
- the CRP states that carbon reduction measures included in the plan are able to be applied by the bidding organisation.
- the CRP is published on the bidding organisation’s website.
Where can I find guidance and templates?
The official PPN006 and PPN 06/21 guidance and templates are available on the UK Government website. You can also refer to Crown Commercial Service resources for additional .
We have also written a detailed “How to..” guide on our website: How To Write A Carbon Reduction Plan For Public Procurement
What happens if I don’t submit a compliant CRP?
Failure to provide a PPN compliant CRP will result in your bid being deemed non-compliant and excluded from the procurement process.
What does it cost to create a Carbon Reduction Plan?
The Go Climate Positive CRP service is designed to be affordable for businesses of all sizes, whatever sector you operate in.
How long does it take to write a Carbon Reduction Plan?
That largely depends how quickly you can send us the information we need, but as a guide the whole process typically takes 4-8 weeks from start to finish.
Having said that, we will work to your deadlines and if your tender date is less than 4 weeks, please get in touch ASAP. We have produced a compliant CRP within 24 hours (but it was no fun for anyone!)
