A carbon reduction plan that wins the tender.
Public-sector and NHS-style procurement increasingly asks suppliers for a credible carbon reduction plan (CRP) aligned to PPN 006. This hub explains exactly what that means, what a compliant CRP must contain, and how to produce one — with a template to start and measured data behind it when a buyer digs deeper.
Contract value PPN 006 applies from
Net zero commitment required
To measured evidence in Discover
What is a carbon reduction plan?
A carbon reduction plan (CRP) is a public document showing your organisation's current greenhouse gas emissions and the steps you'll take to reach net zero. Under PPN 006, suppliers bidding for many UK government contracts must publish a CRP covering Scope 1, 2 and defined Scope 3 emissions, with a commitment to net zero by 2050.
What PPN 006 actually requires
PPN 006 (formerly PPN 06/21) applies to central government contracts above £5 million per annum. To bid, a supplier's carbon reduction plan must include:
- A baseline carbon footprint covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and a defined subset of Scope 3 emissions.
- A clear commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 in the UK.
- Named carbon reduction measures already in place or planned.
- Director or board-level sign-off, published on your website.
How to build a CRP that holds up
1. Measure a baseline footprint
Your plan is only as strong as the data under it. Start with a measured Scope 1, 2 and defined Scope 3 baseline.
2. Set the net-zero commitment and interim targets
Commit to net zero by 2050 at the latest, with interim milestones a buyer can hold you to.
3. List concrete reduction measures
Name the actions you're taking — energy, travel, procurement — not vague ambitions.
4. Get sign-off and 5. publish
Secure director-level approval, publish the CRP on your website, and keep it current — CRPs must be refreshed, which consistent measurement makes quick.
A template to start, data to back it
Start with the template
A CRP template structured around PPN 006 so you're not staring at a blank page.
Back it with real data
When a buyer asks how you got your baseline, Discover gives you a measured, benchmarked footprint.
Keep it current
CRPs must be updated; consistent measurement makes the annual refresh quick.
The procurement landscape
PPN 006 is not the only pressure point. NHS suppliers face the NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, SECR mandates annual energy and carbon reporting for larger companies, and UK SRS is bringing assurance expectations closer. A measured footprint is the common foundation under all of them.
Template today, evidence when you need it
The template gets you into the bid; measured data keeps you in it. Get a first footprint with Discover, produce a sendable footprint with carbon footprint software, or keep an ongoing account with carbon accounting software.
Carbon reduction plan FAQs
What is a carbon reduction plan?
A carbon reduction plan (CRP) is a public document showing your organisation's current greenhouse gas emissions and the steps you'll take to reach net zero. Under PPN 006, suppliers bidding for many UK government contracts must publish a CRP covering Scope 1, 2 and defined Scope 3 emissions, with a commitment to net zero by 2050.
What does PPN 006 require?
A compliant CRP under PPN 006 needs a baseline footprint (Scope 1, 2 and specified Scope 3 categories), a commitment to net zero by 2050, named carbon reduction measures, director or board sign-off, and publication on your website. PPN 006 applies to central government contracts above £5 million per annum.
Do I need a carbon reduction plan to bid for public contracts?
For central government contracts above £5 million per annum, a compliant CRP is a condition of bidding under PPN 006. Many other public bodies, the NHS and large private buyers now ask suppliers for one too, so it is increasingly expected below that threshold.
What's the difference between a carbon reduction plan and SECR reporting?
SECR is mandatory annual energy and carbon reporting for larger UK companies. A carbon reduction plan is a forward-looking plan required in procurement. They overlap on measuring emissions but serve different purposes: one is backward-looking disclosure, the other is a commitment to reduce.
Can I get a carbon reduction plan template?
Yes. Download our PPN 006-aligned carbon reduction plan template to start, then back it with a measured, benchmarked footprint from Compare Your Footprint when a buyer asks how you calculated your baseline.
Template today. Evidence when they ask.
Download the PPN 006-aligned CRP template, then use Discover when buyers want measured data behind the plan. From £299/year.