Q: PPN 006 vs SECR — what's the difference?

They serve different audiences. SECR (Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting) is a UK statutory disclosure obligation for large companies and LLPs, disclosed inside the annual directors' report filed at Companies House. PPN 006 is the UK Cabinet Office procurement guidance that defines the Carbon Reduction Plan format — a published document covering your commitment to net zero, current emissions, and reduction actions. The two use a similar emissions methodology, but SECR is a statutory filing while a CRP is a public-facing supplier document often requested in tender submissions.

Question 1

I'm a consultancy or IT services firm bidding for government work — do I need a CRP?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the tender. GCA frameworks like G-Cloud, the Digital Outcomes & Specialists family, MCF3, and NHS digital contracts commonly request a Carbon Reduction Plan; many customer-side procurements ask for one through their social-value questions. Your tender pack is the source of truth — if it asks for a CRP, CarbonPass generates one.

Question 2

What is a PPN 006 Carbon Reduction Plan?

Accepted Answer

A Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) is a public document setting out your organisation's commitment to reach net zero, your current emissions across Scope 1, 2, and relevant Scope 3 categories, and the actions you're taking to reduce them. It's commonly requested by UK public-sector buyers as part of tender submissions. CarbonPass generates one from your utility bills and a few business questions — try the free PPN 006 readiness checker.

Question 3

How do I write a Carbon Reduction Plan for a UK government tender?

Accepted Answer

A typical CRP covers: (1) a net-zero commitment with a target year; (2) baseline-year Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, calculated using a recognised method such as the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard; (3) current reporting-year Scope 1 + Scope 2 emissions plus the Scope 3 categories your tender pack asks for; (4) emissions-reduction initiatives, either completed or planned; and (5) director-level sign-off and publication on your website. CarbonPass generates one from your utility bills and a few business questions — try the free PPN 006 readiness checker.

Question 4

PPN 006 vs SECR — what's the difference?

Accepted Answer

They serve different audiences. SECR (Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting) is a UK statutory disclosure obligation for large companies and LLPs, disclosed inside the annual directors' report filed at Companies House. PPN 006 is the UK Cabinet Office procurement guidance that defines the Carbon Reduction Plan format — a published document covering your commitment to net zero, current emissions, and reduction actions. The two use a similar emissions methodology, but SECR is a statutory filing while a CRP is a public-facing supplier document often requested in tender submissions.

Question 5

Do all UK government and NHS contracts require a Carbon Reduction Plan?

Accepted Answer

Not all — and your tender pack is the source of truth. UK public-sector buyers (central government, NHS, councils, public bodies) increasingly request a Carbon Reduction Plan as part of the submission, but whether yours does is something you'll see in the selection or evaluation questionnaire. If it does, CarbonPass generates a compliant CRP from your bills and a few business questions in an afternoon.

UK professional & business services public-sector contracts

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