What a carbon reduction plan is
PPN 006 says in-scope organisations should require bidding suppliers, as a condition of participation, to provide a carbon reduction plan using the government template (PPN 006). The plan:
- Commits to net zero. The supplier's commitment to net zero by 2050 for its UK operations
- Reports emissions. Current emissions for scope 1 and 2 and a defined subset of scope 3
- Lists measures. Environmental management measures in effect, including certification schemes or specific carbon reduction measures
- Is public. Published on the supplier's website
Who needs one: public contracts
| Rule | |
|---|---|
| Buyers it applies to | Central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies |
| Contract value | Above £5 million a year, including VAT |
| Frameworks and dynamic markets | Where an individual contract is expected to exceed £5 million a year |
| From | Procurements advertised on or after 24 February 2025, under the Procurement Act 2023 |
| Earlier procurements | PPN 06/21 still applies |
The Cabinet Office says the update to PPN 006 "does not constitute a change in policy or a new call for action" (PPN 006, GOV.UK, PPN 06/21).
Add a measurable reduction to your plan: book a free site survey.
Book a free site surveyWhat goes in it
- Baseline and current emissions. Scope 1, scope 2 and the scope 3 categories listed in the technical standard, such as upstream and downstream transport, waste, business travel and employee commuting
- Greenhouse gases. The seven named by the Kyoto Protocol
- Reduction measures. What you have done and will do
- Annual review. Plans should be reviewed and updated annually
- Sign-off. Board approval stated with its date, and signed off by a director (or a designated member for an LLP) with name, title and date
Source: PPN 006 technical standard. The template is published with the PPN.
Solar as a reduction measure
Scope 2 is the emissions from the electricity, heat, steam and cooling you buy. Solar panels on your own premises reduce the electricity you buy, so they reduce your scope 2 figure year after year, and they are a specific, measurable measure to put in the plan.
- Measurable. Generation is metered, so the reduction is evidenced, not estimated
- Lasting. Panels keep reducing purchased electricity for their working life
- Within your control. Unlike grid decarbonisation, it is an action you take
- No upfront cost option. A rooftop PPA still cuts what you buy from the grid
See SECR and scope 2 emissions, solar PPAs and renewable energy for business.
Sources
The Cabinet Office PPN 006 page, the PPN itself and its technical standard were read on 2 November 2026.
- Cabinet Office: PPN 006, taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans (published 17 February 2025, updated 10 July 2025)
- PPN 006: Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans (HTML)
- PPN 006: Technical standard for completion of Carbon Reduction Plans
- Cabinet Office: PPN 06/21 (for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025)
General information from Cabinet Office guidance, not procurement advice.