What is PPN 06/21? Carbon Reduction Plans in UK Tenders
PPN 06/21 is a UK government Procurement Policy Note that requires bidders for major central-government contracts to publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) committing to Net Zero by 2050. If your tender references it, the CRP is typically a mandatory pass/fail requirement.
When does PPN 06/21 apply?
It applies to in-scope central government, executive agency and non-departmental public body contracts above £5 million per annum (excluding VAT). Many wider public-sector buyers now adopt similar requirements, so a CRP is increasingly expected even below that threshold.
What must a Carbon Reduction Plan contain?
- Your organisation's current greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2 and a defined subset of Scope 3).
- A commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
- Emissions-reduction targets and the measures you will use to hit them.
- Sign-off by a company director and publication on your website.
Key Takeaway
If a tender cites PPN 06/21, treat the Carbon Reduction Plan as a mandatory gateway: produce it on the official template, have a director sign it, publish it on your website, and submit the link.
How SMEs can produce a compliant CRP
Use the official PPN 06/21 CRP template, calculate your emissions (many SMEs use a simple spend- or activity-based estimate for Scope 3), set credible reduction measures, and publish the signed plan. It is a recurring document you can reuse and update across bids — see how compliance gateways like this are surfaced in our tender analysis guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It formally applies to in-scope central government contracts above £5M/year, but many other public buyers now request a Carbon Reduction Plan, so check each tender's wording.
Yes. A compliant Carbon Reduction Plan must be approved and signed off by a company director and published on your organisation's website.
Yes. SMEs can use the official template and a simplified emissions estimate. The key is a credible, director-signed, published plan committing to Net Zero by 2050.