Carbon Reduction Services and Carbon Reduction Plans

A Carbon Reduction Plan that wins tenders and cuts your emissions.

Our carbon reduction services help UK businesses measure their emissions, set net zero targets and produce a compliant Carbon Reduction Plan. Many suppliers come to us because a tender asks for one under PPN 06/21. We build a plan you can publish, defend in a bid and act on. Our framework work includes a successful award on the £1.5bn PB4 public buildings framework for a construction client. Book a consultation to talk through your plan.

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What is a Carbon Reduction Plan?

A Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) is a structured approach to reducing your business's carbon footprint. In line with the UK's environmental goals, it is a roadmap to meet regulatory standards and to make a real contribution to a greener future. Plans usually include specific carbon reduction projects: initiatives and management measures aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

A CRP is also a document buyers ask for. Public sector tenders, and a growing number of private sector ones, expect suppliers to show their current emissions, their targets and how they will reach net zero.

Carbon reduction is one part of a wider sustainability picture. If you need a broader plan that also covers social impact, stakeholders and your supply chain, see our business sustainability planning service.

Carbon Reduction Plans for public sector tenders

Under Procurement Policy Note 06/21 (PPN 06/21), suppliers bidding for major central government contracts, generally those worth more than £5m a year, must provide a Carbon Reduction Plan as part of selection. For procurements run under the Procurement Act 2023, PPN 06/21 has been replaced by PPN 006, which keeps the same core requirements. The NHS has its own Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, and many local authorities and frameworks now ask for a CRP or a net zero commitment too.

A compliant plan normally needs to:

• Commit to net zero by 2050 at the latest.
• Report current emissions for Scope 1, Scope 2 and set Scope 3 categories: upstream transport and distribution, waste generated in operations, business travel, employee commuting, and downstream transport and distribution.
• Set out environmental management measures already in place and those planned.
• Be signed off by a director or equivalent senior lead.
• Be published on your website and updated at least once a year.
• Follow the government's published template and reporting standards.

A missing or weak plan can rule you out at selection stage, before your quality answers are read. We make sure your plan meets the buyer's requirements and stays current. If you are also preparing a full bid, our public sector bidding service covers the rest of the submission.

What's included in our carbon reduction services

Our Carbon Reduction Plan services help you with each of the areas below. You can use the full service or the parts you need.

Understand your carbon footprint

We help you understand your company's carbon footprint and what it means for your business. Assessing your current footprint is a core part of the Carbon Reduction Plan requirements.

Boost operational efficiency

We identify energy-saving technologies and practices that cut costs and reduce emissions at the same time.

Harness renewable energy

We help you plan a smooth move to greener energy sources to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.

Strengthen your supply chain

We help you adopt sustainable sourcing to reduce carbon across your supply chain. Downstream transportation emissions must be reported as part of your Carbon Reduction Plan, so we make sure they are measured and included. Our supplier sourcing service can help you find lower-carbon suppliers.

Green your logistics

We help you adopt lower-emission transport methods for goods and people.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

We introduce good waste management practices, which also feed into the waste category of your Scope 3 reporting.

Stay ahead of regulations

We keep you compliant with the UK's changing carbon requirements. Including environmental management measures in your Carbon Reduction Plan is essential. It sets out your commitments, shows compliance with government requirements and makes your sustainability work more effective.

Engage your team

We help you build a culture of sustainability from the ground up.

Measure and showcase progress

We put in place tools for clear tracking and reporting, so you can show buyers and stakeholders how you are progressing.

Set and achieve targets

We create practical plans to hit your carbon reduction goals. This includes planning reductions within your Scope 3 emissions, particularly travel-related emissions such as business travel and commuting.

Tender-ready Carbon Reduction Plan

We write your plan in the format buyers expect, ready for director sign-off and publication, and we update it each year so it is always valid for your next tender.

Need a Carbon Reduction Plan for a tender deadline? Book a consultation and we will scope it with you.

How we work

Our carbon reduction process follows six steps. Each step has a clear output.

1. Tailored consultation. We start by understanding your current carbon practices, your goals and any tender deadlines you are working to. Output: agreed scope and timetable.
2. Gather your data. We collect the operational and environmental data that sets the foundation, including the greenhouse gas emissions data the Carbon Reduction Plan requires. Output: emissions data set.
3. Site evaluations. Hands-on inspections highlight where you can improve. We make sure the assessment covers the seven greenhouse gases in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, reported as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Output: baseline footprint and list of reduction opportunities.
4. Draft your plan. We write a Carbon Reduction Plan unique to your business, with targets, measures, timelines and owners. Output: draft plan.
5. Refine and sign off. We refine the draft through your feedback, check it against buyer requirements and prepare it for director sign-off and publication. Output: final, published plan.
6. Ongoing support. We support you at every step after publication, track progress and update the plan each year so you see real results. Output: annual update and progress report.

Understanding carbon emissions

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by a person, organisation or product. It is usually measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). It covers emissions from many sources, including energy use, transport and industrial processes.

Understanding your footprint is the starting point for an effective carbon reduction plan. Measuring it shows you your biggest sources of emissions, so you can prioritise the actions with the greatest impact.

Why reducing carbon emissions matters

Reducing carbon emissions is crucial for limiting climate change and its impacts, such as rising global temperatures, sea-level rise and extreme weather. The UK government has set a legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050, and organisations are expected to play a significant part.

Reducing emissions also helps your business. It can improve your reputation, reduce costs and make you more competitive, especially in tenders where carbon commitments are scored or required. Net zero is not only a regulatory requirement but a strategic advantage.

UK government initiatives for carbon reduction

The UK government has introduced several initiatives to support carbon reduction, including:

• The Climate Change Act 2008, which sets the legally binding net zero target.
• The Greening Government Commitments (GGC), which set targets for government departments.
• PPN 06/21 (now PPN 006 under the Procurement Act 2023), which requires Carbon Reduction Plans from suppliers on major central government contracts.
• Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), which requires many larger companies to report energy use and emissions.

These initiatives encourage organisations to develop and implement carbon reduction plans, report their GHG emissions and reach net zero by 2050. The government also provides guidance to support businesses on their net zero journey. Aligning with these initiatives keeps you compliant and puts you a step ahead.

Benefits of the right Carbon Reduction Plan

The environmental landscape can be hard to navigate. With the right guidance, your business can move towards a sustainable future with confidence and gain both environmental and commercial rewards:

• Meet tender requirements and avoid being ruled out at selection.
• Cut energy and operating costs.
• Show buyers, investors and staff a credible, measurable commitment.
• Stay ahead of changing UK regulations.

Understanding your carbon emissions: seven steps

Understanding your emissions is the first step towards reducing them. We work with leading sustainability businesses to carry out thorough assessments. These are the practical steps we follow with you:

1. Work with experts. Our partner sustainability experts help you understand your current emissions, identify key areas of concern and give you insight into your greenhouse gas emissions profile.
2. Carry out a carbon audit. Measure your current emissions across all relevant areas, such as energy use, transport and waste management. The audit is the foundation of your carbon reduction strategy.
3. Identify emission sources. Pinpoint the specific sources of emissions in your organisation across Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3. This shows where you can make the biggest impact.
4. Collect and analyse data. Gather and analyse data on energy use, business travel, employee commuting and supply chain activity. This data is essential for setting realistic targets and tracking progress.
5. Set emission reduction targets. Based on the audit and data, set clear and achievable targets. They should align with your wider sustainability goals and the UK's net zero objective.
6. Develop a Carbon Reduction Plan. Create a plan that sets out specific measures and projects, with timelines, responsibilities and resources.
7. Monitor and report progress. Put in place a system to monitor and report your emissions and reduction work regularly. Transparent reporting shows your commitment and helps you find areas to improve.

Following these steps, with support from our sustainability partners, lets you understand and manage your emissions and sets you up for a successful net zero journey.

Simple ways you can reduce your emissions

Energy efficiency improvements

• Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
• Install smart energy management systems to optimise energy use.
• Maintain heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems regularly so they run efficiently.

Sustainable procurement practices

• Source materials and products from suppliers committed to sustainability.
• Prioritise recycled or eco-friendly products.
• Introduce a supplier code of conduct that focuses on carbon reduction.

Water conservation

• Install low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances.
• Use rainwater harvesting systems for non-drinking water.
• Carry out regular audits to find and fix leaks quickly.

Waste management

• Introduce a full recycling programme.
• Encourage waste reduction, such as composting organic waste.
• Carry out waste audits to find areas to improve.

Employee engagement in sustainability

• Run sustainability workshops and training sessions.
• Encourage and reward staff-led green initiatives.
• Build a culture of sustainability through regular communication and updates.

Employee commuting: opportunities for reduction

Employee commuting is a significant part of many organisations' carbon footprint, and it is one of the Scope 3 categories a Carbon Reduction Plan must report. Ways to reduce it include:

• Encouraging public transport, walking or cycling to work.
• Offering flexible working, such as home working or compressed hours.
• Promoting car-sharing schemes.
• Investing in electric or hybrid company vehicles.
• Offering incentives for low-carbon travel.

These measures cut emissions and also support a healthier, more engaged workforce.

Proof: tender and compliance work

Carbon Reduction Plans are usually one of several compliance documents a framework or tender asks for. Our case studies cover whole submissions rather than carbon reporting alone, but they show the standard of compliance documentation we prepare.

Award on the £1.5bn PB4 Public Buildings framework

A house builder and construction company wanted a place on LHC Procurement Group's PB4 framework, worth £1.5bn across the UK. Quality counted for 75% of the score. We led the application strategy, response drafting, compliance management and submission. - Result: a successful framework award, with a fully compliant application addressing all quality, technical and financial criteria. - Read the PB4 framework case study

Three framework registrations for Dig X

Dig X, an IT services provider, had limited experience of public sector frameworks. We assessed their capability, chose the right frameworks, drafted all narrative responses and prepared the supporting documentation each framework required. - Result: three successful public sector framework registrations across central and local government. - Read the Dig X case study

More relevant results

• Three framework awards for a cyber security IT reseller, with all supporting documentation drafted for compliance.
• £150m supply chain strategy for Broadway Partners, including a procurement policy and process.
• £1bn in bids delivered for SDH Project Services across 16 construction bids.

Our own framework credentials

We bid for public sector work ourselves, so we know what buyers check at selection stage. - G-Cloud 14 – Athena secures a place on G-Cloud 14 - DOS 7 (Digital Outcomes and Specialists), Lots 1 and 3 – Athena awarded a place on DOS 7

Sectors we support

Defence

Major MoD and central government contracts fall within the scope of the Carbon Reduction Plan policy. We help defence suppliers produce a compliant plan alongside their bid. Our team holds Security Check (SC) clearance.

NHS and health

The NHS Net Zero Supplier Roadmap sets carbon requirements for suppliers. We help health suppliers meet them as part of wider framework and tender compliance. Read how to win NHS contracts.

Construction

Construction has high energy, transport and waste emissions, and public construction frameworks often ask for carbon commitments. We help contractors measure their footprint and show credible reduction plans. See our guide to construction procurement frameworks for 2026.

Technology

IT and cloud suppliers bidding for government work, including through G-Cloud and DOS, increasingly need a Carbon Reduction Plan. We help them cover data centre energy, hardware and travel emissions.