Comparison

CarbonPass vs DIY spreadsheet — Which is right for UK government contract bidders?

Comparing CarbonPass at £149/yr in 20 minutes with a DIY spreadsheet at Free but takes 20–40 hours over 2–4 weeks. Here is how they stack up for PPN 006 compliance.

CarbonPass
a DIY spreadsheet
Cost
£149/yr
Free but takes 20–40 hours
Time to complete
20 minutes
2–4 weeks
PPN 006 compliant output
Yes — PDF and Word
Varies
DEFRA 2024 emission factors
Built in
Manual or not included
Carbon Passport page
Included
Not available
Annual update reminders
Included
Not included
Team access
Included
Varies

Pros of a DIY spreadsheet

+ No cost
+ Full control

Cons of a DIY spreadsheet

- Extremely time-consuming
- Easy to make calculation errors
- Not auto-formatted for PPN 006
- No annual update reminders
For PPN 006 compliance

If your primary goal is to produce a PPN 006 compliant Carbon Reduction Plan to win government and NHS contracts, CarbonPass is purpose-built for this. At £149/yr and 20 minutes, it is the fastest and most cost-effective route to compliance for UK SMBs.

Frequently asked questions

Is CarbonPass cheaper than a DIY spreadsheet?
Yes. CarbonPass costs £149/yr compared to Free but takes 20–40 hours for a DIY spreadsheet. You get unlimited CRP updates, a Carbon Passport page, and team access included.
Is CarbonPass faster than a DIY spreadsheet?
Yes. CarbonPass takes 20 minutes compared to 2–4 weeks for a DIY spreadsheet. Upload your bills, answer a few questions, and download your CRP.
Will my CRP be accepted by procurement teams?
Yes. CarbonPass generates a document that follows the PPN 006 template structure, uses DEFRA 2024 emission factors, and covers all required Scope 1, 2 and 3 categories.
Can I switch from another provider to CarbonPass?
Yes. You can generate a new CRP with CarbonPass in 20 minutes regardless of how you produced your previous one. Your emissions data is yours.
Is CarbonPass faster to set up than a DIY spreadsheet?
CarbonPass generates a PPN 006 compliant CRP in under 20 minutes. a DIY spreadsheet typically takes longer due to manual processes or less automation.
How much does CarbonPass cost compared to a DIY spreadsheet?
CarbonPass starts from £149/year for unlimited CRP generation. a DIY spreadsheet costs vary but are typically higher for equivalent output.

Related guides

What is a CRP?
Everything a CRP must include
10 min
CRP Template
The PPN 006 compliant template structure
7 min
CRP vs Footprint
Why a footprint alone is not enough
7 min
Generate your PPN 006 Carbon Reduction Plan in 20 minutes
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