Carbon Reduction Plans (PPN 006)
Winning public sector work is becoming more competitive. Buyers increasingly expect suppliers to show credible action on carbon emissions as part of tender selection.
As an experienced carbon reduction plan consultant, Changing Footprint helps UK businesses produce robust plans aligned to current government expectations.
What Is a Carbon Reduction Plan?
A Carbon Reduction Plan is a formal document that sets out your greenhouse gas emissions, your baseline year and the actions you will take to reduce emissions over time.
It is commonly required when bidding for certain public sector contracts and is closely linked to carbon reduction plan PPN 006 requirements. The plan gives buyers confidence that your business understands its footprint and has a credible path to Net Zero.
Purpose of a Carbon Reduction Plan
The plan is designed to turn carbon reporting into action. It moves businesses beyond broad commitments and into measurable delivery.
It shows current emissions, planned reductions and clear accountability. This helps procurement teams assess risk and supplier capability.
Why It Matters to Businesses
Many organisations first need a plan because of a tender deadline. The wider value is stronger data, better operational visibility and a clearer reduction strategy.
Done properly, a Carbon Reduction Plan can support cost savings, improve client confidence and prepare your business for future reporting demands.
Who Needs a Carbon Reduction Plan?
Government Contracts
Many central government procurements require suppliers bidding above relevant thresholds to provide a compliant carbon reduction plan for government contracts.
Where required, the plan is often a pass or fail submission item. If it is missing, incomplete or non-compliant, it can weaken or remove a bid from consideration.
Public Sector Procurement Requirements
Requirements continue to influence wider public sector buying. Local authorities, arms-length bodies and healthcare organisations increasingly expect suppliers to evidence carbon management.
We also support organisations preparing an NHS carbon reduction plan where healthcare procurement standards and supply chain expectations apply.
What Must Be Included in a Carbon Reduction Plan
Organisational Emissions Baseline
Your baseline is the reference year used to measure progress. It should include relevant Scope 1, Scope 2 and required Scope 3 emissions categories.
We help establish a defensible baseline using available business data, while improving data quality for future updates.
Carbon Reduction Targets
Targets should be realistic, measurable and linked to delivery. Generic ambitions with no pathway rarely stand up to scrutiny.
We help clients set achievable short and long-term targets that reflect operations, resources and procurement requirements.
Decarbonisation Measures
Your plan should explain what actions are already underway and what will happen next.
This may include energy efficiency, renewable electricity, fleet transition, travel reduction, supplier engagement and waste improvements. We prioritise actions that are practical and commercially sensible.
Our Carbon Reduction Plan Consulting Services
Carbon Footprint Calculation
We calculate the emissions required for your Carbon Reduction Plan using recognised methodologies and clear audit trails.
We make data requests simple, minimise disruption and give you full visibility of assumptions and sources.
Developing Reduction Targets
We translate emissions data into a practical reduction roadmap.
This includes identifying priority actions, sequencing initiatives and setting targets your business can realistically deliver.
Producing a Compliant Carbon Reduction Plan
We draft and structure the final document in line with procurement expectations and current guidance.
If you need a fast starting point, we can also help adapt a carbon reduction plan template into a bespoke and compliant plan backed by real data.
Related Services & Case Studies
Carbon Reporting – From Data Complexity to Clear Insight
A client had fragmented data across multiple sources, making reporting unreliable.
We consolidated Scope 1, 2 and key Scope 3 emissions into a clear, auditable dataset and produced concise reporting outputs.
The result was a trusted carbon baseline and reporting that could support decisions and meet stakeholder expectations.
Decarbonisation – Building a Practical Net Zero Pathway
A business had clear ambition but no defined plan.
We developed a prioritised roadmap based on cost, feasibility and carbon impact, supported by energy and operational insight.
This turned ambition into action, reducing emissions and embedding decarbonisation into day-to-day decisions.
Sustainability Reporting – Strengthening ESG Credibility
A growing company needed to strengthen ESG reporting under increasing pressure.
We implemented a structured framework aligned to TCFD, GRI and IFRS, including KPIs and governance improvements.
The result was clear, credible reporting that improved confidence and prepared the business for future requirements.
FAQs
What is PPN 006?
PPN 006 (previously 06/21) refers to Procurement Policy Note requirements linked to Carbon Reduction Plans for certain public sector procurements. It sets expectations for supplier commitments and emissions reporting.
Do SMEs need a carbon reduction plan?
Some SMEs do and some do not. It depends on the contract value, buyer requirements and procurement route. If you bid for public work, it is increasingly sensible to be prepared.
What emissions must be included in a carbon reduction plan?
Typically this includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions plus specified Scope 3 categories such as business travel, employee commuting, waste and upstream transport where relevant.
How often must a carbon reduction plan be updated?
Plans are generally expected to be reviewed and updated annually. Keeping data current also improves bid readiness and demonstrates ongoing progress.