Carbon Reduction Plan Template (PPN 006)
A Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) is a short public document that suppliers bidding for UK government contracts worth over £5m a year must publish. It commits to net zero by 2050, reports Scope 1, Scope 2 and five Scope 3 categories against a baseline, lists reduction measures and is signed by a director.
Last updated 26 October 2026 · By Tom Wilford, Founder, Ella
Get startedThe template
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| 1. Supplier name and publication date | Legal entity name and the date the plan was published |
| 2. Commitment to net zero | A commitment to net zero by 2050 at the latest, covering at least your UK operations |
| 3. Baseline emissions | Your baseline year and its emissions, with a short note on why that year was chosen |
| 4. Current emissions | This reporting year's Scope 1, Scope 2 and required Scope 3 emissions, in tCO2e |
| 5. Emissions reduction targets | Your interim targets and the trajectory to net zero |
| 6. Carbon reduction projects | Measures completed or in progress since the baseline, and planned measures |
| 7. Declaration and sign-off | Statement that the plan follows the PPN 006 Technical Standard, approved by the board and signed by a named director with date |
Which emissions to include
| Scope | Required content |
|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions: gas, fuel, company vehicles, refrigerants |
| Scope 2 | Purchased electricity, heat and steam |
| Scope 3, category 4 | Upstream transportation and distribution |
| Scope 3, category 5 | Waste generated in operations |
| Scope 3, category 6 | Business travel |
| Scope 3, category 7 | Employee commuting |
| Scope 3, category 9 | Downstream transportation and distribution |
Common reasons plans fail
Keeping it current
How Ella helps
Carbon & Net Zero
Ella collects your energy and travel data, calculates Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and drafts your reduction plan.
ESG Reporting
Produce SECR disclosures and wider ESG reports from the same data, ready for review.
ESG strategy and materiality
Run a double materiality assessment and set the priorities your ESG reporting builds on.
Related resources
PPN 006 Explained (Formerly PPN 06/21)
PPN 006 is the UK procurement policy note requiring suppliers bidding for central government contracts worth over £5m a year to publish a Carbon Reduction Plan. It replaced PPN 06/21 for procurements started from 24 February 2025, under the Procurement Act 2023. The content requirements are unchanged and assessment is pass or fail.
SECR Reporting Explained: Who Must Report and What to Include
SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting) requires UK quoted companies, and large unquoted companies and LLPs, to report their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in their annual report. A company is large if it meets two of three tests: turnover of £36m or more, balance sheet of £18m or more, or 250 or more employees. Scope 3 is optional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a Carbon Reduction Plan?
Suppliers bidding for UK central government contracts, including executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, worth more than £5m a year including VAT.
Is PPN 06/21 still valid?
Procurements started before 24 February 2025 still run under PPN 06/21. Newer ones use PPN 006, which keeps the same content requirements.
Do I need to include all Scope 3 emissions?
No. Only five categories are required: upstream transport, waste, business travel, employee commuting and downstream transport.
Can I use this template for a smaller contract?
Yes. Many local authorities and private buyers ask for a CRP in the same format, even below the £5m threshold.
Who must sign the plan?
The board of directors (or equivalent) must approve it, and a named director signs and dates it.
Where do I publish my Carbon Reduction Plan?
On your UK website, with a clear link, ideally from the homepage.
What baseline year should I use?
The earliest year for which you have reliable data covering all required scopes. Explain your choice in the plan.
Can Ella write our Carbon Reduction Plan?
Yes. Ella calculates the required emissions from your data and drafts the plan in the PPN 006 format, ready for board sign-off.