PPN 006
PPN 006 / Carbon Reduction Plans
UK Procurement Policy Note 006, building on PPN 06/21, expects suppliers bidding for many central government contracts to publish a Carbon Reduction Plan covering Scope 1, Scope 2 and a defined set of Scope 3 categories, alongside a stated Net Zero commitment. It remains one of the most widely encountered carbon requirements across UK public-sector supply chains and tenders.
Who is in scope
Suppliers bidding for in-scope central government contracts above the relevant threshold (check the current PPN for the figure). Many wider public bodies, NHS trusts and prime contractors cascade the same Carbon Reduction Plan requirements down the supply chain, so smaller subcontractors are often asked for one even when not directly named in the PPN.
Deadlines and timing
A current Carbon Reduction Plan must be available at tender and kept updated — typically reviewed at least annually and whenever the organisational footprint, ownership structure or reduction measures change materially. Build the refresh into your annual reporting calendar rather than producing a plan reactively for each bid.
Required or expected scopes
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Frequently asked questions
- Which Scope 3 categories does a Carbon Reduction Plan need?
- Under the PPN 06/21 technical standard, CRPs include a baseline for Scope 1, Scope 2 and specific Scope 3 categories (commonly business travel, employee commuting, upstream transportation, waste, and water where applicable). Confirm the live PPN annex for the exact list.
- What is PPN 006 versus PPN 06/21?
- PPN 06/21 introduced Carbon Reduction Plan requirements in UK central government procurement. Later PPNs (including numbering such as PPN 006 in updated series) refresh or replace that guidance — always cite the current Cabinet Office note when bidding.
- Do I need Science Based Targets for a CRP?
- A CRP requires a Net Zero commitment and emissions reporting; formal SBTi validation is separate and optional unless the buyer’s specification demands it.
- Does a Carbon Reduction Plan need external verification?
- The standard CRP template is typically self-declared and signed off internally by a director or senior representative, rather than independently assured, though bidders should still keep evidence to support the figures in case a buyer or auditor later queries them.
- Can a small supplier without in-house sustainability expertise still produce a Carbon Reduction Plan?
- Yes. The CRP template is designed to be completed using existing energy bills, travel records and straightforward emission-factor calculations, so smaller suppliers can produce a compliant plan without specialist software, provided the underlying activity data is accurate and well sourced.