Questions, answered plainly
With links to the official pages, so you can check everything for yourself.
What is a Carbon Reduction Plan?
A short public document in which a supplier commits to achieving net zero by 2050, reports its greenhouse gas emissions and sets out the environmental management measures it has in place. The government's requirements are in PPN 006, formerly PPN 06/21.
Does my company have to have one?
Not necessarily. Under PPN 006, central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies must ask for one when the contract is worth more than £5 million a year.
NHS England asks for a full plan for new contracts of £5 million a year and above and for new framework agreements whatever the contract value. For lower value NHS procurements the buyer can ask for a shorter Net Zero Commitment where it judges that relevant and proportionate.
Many other frameworks and buyers ask for a plan regardless of contract value. Your tender or framework documents tell you what applies to you.
What does the plan have to contain?
A commitment to net zero by 2050 at the latest, baseline and current emissions for Scope 1, Scope 2 and five Scope 3 categories, reduction targets, the carbon reduction measures in place, and a signed declaration. The five Scope 3 categories are upstream transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations, business travel, employee commuting, and downstream transportation and distribution. See the technical standard.
How often does it need updating?
At least once a year. The technical standard says the plan should be reviewed and updated annually, within six months of the end of your financial year, and that the latest version should be published on your UK website.
Can we write it ourselves?
Yes. The government publishes the template and the conversion factors free of charge, and many companies complete their own plan. We are for firms that would rather have it done properly and quickly.
What do you need from us?
Twelve months of figures: gas and electricity in kWh, fuel in litres, company vehicle and business travel distances, commuting distances as totals, waste in tonnes by disposal route, and an estimate of delivery distances by other firms. We send a checklist. There is a fuller list on the how it works page.
Which conversion factors do you use?
The UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting, published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Every factor used is listed in the appendix of your plan with the official table it comes from. If a factor has not been checked against the official publication we do not substitute a guess. That line stays open until it has been.
Do you check or verify our figures?
No. You supply the figures and you are responsible for their accuracy. We will query anything that looks incomplete or inconsistent, but we are not a verification or assurance body and we do not audit your records.
Who signs the plan?
Your directors. The plan has to be approved by the board of directors (or equivalent) and signed by a director. We leave the signature, name, job title and dates blank. We never sign a plan on a customer's behalf.
How long does it take?
Within two working days of receiving your figures. If something is missing we will ask for it, and the two days run from when we have what we need.
How much does it cost?
£299 per plan, fixed. One plan covers one company and one reporting year. See pricing for what is and is not included.
Will a plan win us the contract?
No one can promise that. A Carbon Reduction Plan is one requirement among many, and each buyer decides whether a supplier has met its requirements. We produce the plan from your figures. We make no promise about any tender or framework result.
This is our first plan. What is the baseline year?
The baseline is the reference year that later years are measured against. For a first plan it is common to use the same year as the reporting year, so the baseline and current figures match. Your directors choose the baseline year.
Is this legal advice?
No. We prepare a document from your figures using the government's published template and factors. If you need advice on what a particular tender requires, ask the buyer or a procurement adviser.
Are you part of the government or the NHS?
No. Framework Ready is a trading name of DemandOS Ltd, a private company. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the UK Government or the NHS.