CRP

What Is a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) — and Do I Need One?

If you’ve heard the term Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) and aren’t sure exactly what it is or whether you need one, you’re in the right place. This guide explains the essentials of what a CRP is, when it’s required, and how it supports your sustainability goals and public sector work.

What is a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)?


A Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) is a formal document that outlines:

  • Your organisation’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 (or sooner)
  • Your current carbon footprint
  • What actions you're taking to reduce emissions over time

It’s a requirement under the UK government’s Procurement Policy Note 06/21 (PPN 06/21) for suppliers bidding on central government contracts worth £5 million or more per year.

In simple terms, a CRP says:

“We’re committed to Net Zero. Here’s where we are now, what we’ve done, and what we’ll do next.”

What Must a CRP Include?


A compliant CRP must show that your business is serious about measuring and reducing emissions. Specifically, it should include:

  1. A public commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050

    Baseline emissions data (your starting point)

    Current emissions for:

    • Scope 1: Direct emissions (e.g. fuel use, on-site combustion)
    • Scope 2: Indirect energy emissions (e.g. electricity)
    • Selected Scope 3 categories, including:
      • Business travel
      • Employee commuting
      • Waste
      • Transportation/distribution (upstream and downstream)
  2. Details of your emissions reduction measures
  3. Board-level approval of the plan
  4. Public availability — the CRP must be published on your website and kept up to date

When Is a CRP Required?


You need a CRP if:

  • You’re bidding for a UK central government contract valued at £5 million or more (excluding VAT)
  • The contract is procurement-based (not grant funding)
  • The contract is not exempt due to national security

This requirement applies whether you’re the lead supplier or a key subcontractor.

Why Else Might You Want a CRP?


Even if you're not bidding on government contracts, a CRP can:

  • Help you understand and manage your carbon footprint
  • Show leadership in sustainability and ESG
  • Prepare you for upcoming supply chain pressure from larger clients
  • Improve your readiness for net zero regulations
  • Strengthen your position in private sector tenders

How Zeropath Can Help


At Zeropath, we make creating and maintaining your CRP simple. We help you:

  • Measure your emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and relevant Scope 3 categories
  • Generate a CRP that meets all PPN 06/21 requirements
  • Keep your plan compliant, consistent, and publicly available
  • Use your CRP as a foundation for broader carbon and ESG reporting

Whether you need a one-time report or an ongoing carbon reduction strategy, we’re here to support you, clearly and confidently.

Useful Resources


  • PPN 06/21 Government Guidance
  • Carbon Reduction Plan Template (Word)
  • Zeropath Demo

Still Have Questions?


If you're not sure whether PPN 06/21 applies to your organisation, or you'd like help creating a credible, compliant CRP — we're here for you.

Get in touch with our team and we’ll walk you through the process, step by step.