PPN06/21

PPN 06/21: A Guide to Carbon Reduction Plans for UK Government Suppliers

PPN 06/21 (Procurement Policy Note 06/21) sets out new carbon reporting requirements for suppliers bidding on large UK government contracts. If you’re supplying to central government, understanding PPN 06/21 — and preparing a compliant Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) — is now essential.

What is PPN 06/21?


PPN 06/21 is a policy from the UK Cabinet Office requiring suppliers bidding for public contracts over £5 million (excl. VAT) per year to submit a Carbon Reduction Plan.

This plan must confirm your organisation’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050, and include up-to-date emissions reporting.

The requirement has been in force since 30 September 2021 and applies to new procurements run by central government departments, executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies.

Who Needs to Comply?


You must comply with PPN 06/21 if:

  • You are bidding for a central government procurement contract worth £5 million or more per year, and
  • The contract is not exempt for national security reasons

If you're unsure, it's best to assume compliance is required unless clearly stated otherwise by the contracting authority.

What Must Be Included in a Carbon Reduction Plan?

Your CRP must include the following:

1. Commitment Statement

A clear, public commitment to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

2. Carbon Footprint Data

You must report your baseline and current emissions for:

  • Scope 1: Direct emissions (e.g. from fuel use)

    Scope 2: Indirect energy emissions (e.g. electricity use)

    Selected Scope 3:

    • Business travel
    • Employee commuting
    • Waste generated
    • Transportation and distribution
    • Relevant upstream/downstream activities

3. Emissions Reduction Measures

Provide examples of the steps you're taking to reduce emissions and how these support your Net Zero target.

4. Methodology

Explain the standards or tools used to calculate emissions (e.g. GHG Protocol, UK Government conversion factors).

5. Board Approval

The plan must be signed off at board level and reflect company-wide commitment.

6. Public Accessibility

You must publish your CRP on your website and update it at least annually.


How Zeropath Can Help


At Zeropath, we make Carbon Reduction Plans easier by helping you:

  • Measure Scope 1, 2, and required Scope 3 emissions
  • Use approved emissions factors and templates
  • Generate CRPs aligned with UK Cabinet Office standards
  • Maintain an audit trail and version history
  • Integrate CRP into broader SECR, ESOS, and Net Zero reporting

Common Mistakes to Avoid


  • Leaving out Scope 3 emissions (e.g. business travel, commuting)
  • Not publishing your CRP on your website
  • Submitting a plan without board approval
  • Using out-of-date emissions data or factors

Useful Links


  • PPN 06/21 Government Guidance
  • GHG Protocol
  • UK Government Emissions Factors

Need Support?


Preparing a CRP doesn’t need to be complicated.

Get in touch and let us show you how easy it can be to comply with PPN 06/21 — and strengthen your public sector credentials in the process.