Carbon reduction plans for tenders (PPN 006)
Procurement Policy Note 006 applies to procurements under the Procurement Act 2023 that started on or after 24 February 2025. It replaced PPN 06/21, which still applies to procurements started before then[1]. Central government contracts above £5 million a year, including VAT, usually require a Carbon Reduction Plan[1].
The plan covers Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and specific Scope 3 categories, including business travel, employee commuting, waste and transport[1]. Many private buyers now ask for the same document. We help you build a plan that meets the requirement, is based on your real data and does not commit you to targets you cannot meet. Read our carbon reduction plan guide, or start from the free carbon reduction plan template for public sector tenders.
Modern Slavery statements
Commercial organisations supplying goods or services in the UK with turnover of £36m or more must publish an annual Modern Slavery statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2015[2, 3]. Smaller suppliers are often asked for one by larger customers and in tenders. We help you write a statement backed by real supplier checks, drawing on our supplier audit and due diligence work. See our guide to Modern Slavery statement requirements.
Supplier emissions data requests
Large customers need supplier emissions data to report their own Scope 3 footprint. We help you answer those requests, and gather the data you need from your own suppliers, in a way that is consistent and repeatable.
UK CBAM on imported goods
The UK carbon border adjustment mechanism applies to imports on or after 1 January 2027[4]. It covers goods from the aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel sectors[4]. An importer must register with HMRC if it imports £50,000 or more of CBAM goods in the previous 12 months, or expects to within the next 30 days[4]. If you import these goods, we work out what emissions data your suppliers must provide and fold it into your sourcing decisions. For more detail, see our UK CBAM guide.
Supplier sustainability ratings and codes of conduct
Many customers now rate their suppliers through EcoVadis assessments or ask them to sign a supplier code of conduct covering labour, environment and ethics. We help you prepare the evidence, answer the questions accurately and close the gaps that cost you marks, without promising more than your business can show. Read our EcoVadis rating guide and our supplier code of conduct guide.
Why Caventis
The work is led by our founder, Matt Buckley, who was formerly Supply Chain Taskforce Director at the Sustainable Markets Initiative. That role gave a practical view of what large buyers actually expect from their suppliers, and what they do not need.
We treat sustainability as a procurement problem: get the right data from suppliers, meet the standard, and keep the cost down. About the founder, Matt Buckley.
How it works
- Review of what your customers, tenders and regulators require
- Gap analysis against your current data and supplier checks
- A prioritised, lowest-cost plan to close the gaps
- Optional support to deliver it, with scope and commercial terms agreed before work starts
Frequently asked questions
Who can write a carbon reduction plan for PPN 006?
Any competent adviser can write one, but it must follow the government's published template and reporting standard. We write PPN 006 carbon reduction plans for UK suppliers bidding for public contracts, using your energy, fuel and travel data, with the commitments and sign-off the buyer expects. The plan is written at the lowest cost that satisfies the buyer.
Does my business need a Modern Slavery statement?
Commercial organisations that supply goods or services in the UK and meet the turnover threshold in the Modern Slavery Act must publish a statement each year. Many smaller businesses publish one anyway because customers ask for it in tenders. We check whether the duty applies to you and write a statement that reflects what you actually do.
How do I collect Scope 3 data from suppliers?
Start with the suppliers that make up most of your spend or emissions. Send a short, consistent request for their emissions data or their own carbon reduction plan, and use spend-based estimates where they cannot answer yet. We design the request, collect and check the responses, and turn them into figures you can report.
What does UK CBAM mean for importers from 2027?
UK CBAM is a carbon charge on imports of certain goods, including aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron and steel, from 1 January 2027. Importers above the threshold will need to register, report embedded emissions and pay the charge. We help you identify affected goods and collect the emissions data you need from suppliers.
What does a sustainable supply chains review cover?
A review of what your customers, tenders and regulators are asking for on carbon and supplier standards, where you have gaps, and the lowest-cost way to close them. It covers supplier emissions data, carbon reduction plans, Modern Slavery reporting, supplier sustainability ratings and CBAM exposure on imported goods.
Do we need a Carbon Reduction Plan to win public sector work?
Usually, for larger central government contracts. Procurement Policy Note 006 (PPN 006) applies to procurements under the Procurement Act 2023 that started on or after 24 February 2025, and replaced PPN 06/21, which still applies to procurements started before then. Central government contracts above £5 million a year, including VAT, usually require a Carbon Reduction Plan. Many private buyers now ask for the same document. We help you produce a plan that meets the requirement without over-engineering it.
What goes into a carbon reduction plan?
A carbon reduction plan sets out your commitment to reach net zero, your current emissions across Scope 1 and Scope 2 and specific Scope 3 categories, including business travel, employee commuting, waste and transport, the measures you have taken and plan to take, and sign-off by a director.
How long does a carbon reduction plan take to write?
It depends on the data you already have, such as energy bills, travel records and waste data. The review at the start establishes what is available and sets the timetable.
Can you help us answer an EcoVadis assessment?
Yes. We help suppliers prepare evidence and answers for EcoVadis and similar assessments as part of our supplier sustainability credentials work.
What is a supplier code of conduct?
A supplier code of conduct is a set of standards a customer expects its suppliers to meet, usually covering labour rights, health and safety, environment, ethics and anti-bribery. Suppliers are often asked to sign it and show evidence that they comply.
How is this priced?
The starting point is a review. Scope and commercial terms are agreed with each client before work starts.
Related procurement topics
Specialist areas that complement this work.
About Caventis
Caventis (Caventis Ltd, registered in England & Wales, company number 17158263) is a UK procurement, supply chain and cost reduction consultancy. It works with global businesses to identify and deliver savings across procurement, operations and back-office spend, with every engagement shaped around what the client wants to achieve and results verified against the P&L.
The firm was founded by Matt Buckley, who leads every engagement personally, drawing on 16 years of procurement, supply chain and cost transformation experience at bp and General Motors. Matt holds an Executive MBA, two PG Diplomas in Senior Leadership and Finance, a Bachelor of Business in Supply Chain Management and MCIPS. Caventis is headquartered in the United Kingdom and serves clients internationally.
Related guides
- PPN 006 carbon reduction plan: what to include
What a carbon reduction plan must contain, who needs one for public tenders and a template structure.
- Modern Slavery statement requirements in the UK: who, what and how
Who must publish, the six areas to cover, sign-off and how to back a statement with supplier checks.
- EcoVadis rating guide for UK suppliers: themes, evidence and medals
The four EcoVadis themes, how the assessment works, preparing evidence and what medals mean.
- Supplier code of conduct: what to include and how it is enforced
What a supplier code should cover, how buyers enforce it and how suppliers should respond.
- UK CBAM guide for importers: registration, reporting and supplier data
Which goods the UK CBAM covers, who must register with HMRC, returns and the supplier data you need.
Discuss carbon reduction plans and supplier standards
Start with a review. Book an introductory call to discuss it.
