Are you a NHS or Government supplier? Here’s what you need to know about delivering a mandatory carbon reduction plan.

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As part of the UK Government’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the NHS is aiming to achieve net-zero even earlier, by 2040, and therefore has brought in a mandatory requirement for its suppliers to have a credible Carbon Reduction Plan which includes emissions measurements.

<h2>What is the Procurement Policy Note 06/21 (PPN 06/21) </h2>
The Procurement Policy Note 06/21 (PPN 06/21) applies uniformly across all central government departments (including the NHS), their executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies. This also includes departments outside the NHS. You can read more <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/carbon-reduction-plan-requirements-for-the-procurement-of-nhs-goods-services-and-works/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
The policy’s scope covers all major government contracts, ensuring a consistent approach across central government entities. However, it does not extend to devolved administrations unless they choose to adopt it, as seen with the Welsh Government.
From April 2024 the continued implementation of the policy PPN 06/21 will mean that all NHS suppliers who apply or reapply for framework agreements regardless of value are required to produce Carbon Reduction Plans (CRPs) to mitigate their environmental impact.

<h2>The challenge</h2>
NHS suppliers are being asked to get to grips with measuring their carbon footprints, creating reduction plans and making net-zero commitments. NHS contracts will only be awarded to suppliers who have reported on their scope 1, 2 and a subset of scope 3 emissions, along with a credible Carbon Reduction Plan. In addition, NHS suppliers are also required to make a public commitment for net-zero and publish this on their website.
Mastering carbon accounting is a significant challenge for many firms and also presents a risk of non-compliance if submitted incorrectly. Additionally data collection and understanding the technical requirements poses a major obstacle, and knowing where to begin can be difficult. This often leads to errors and consumes substantial time and resources, ultimately impacting the bottom line and can also put tender submissions at.

<h2>The solution</h2>
We developed Ecologi Zero, a cost-effective software solution that simplifies compliance with NHS regulation PPN 06/21 and empowers NHS suppliers to calculate their carbon footprint, identify emission hotspots, and formulate a Carbon Reduction Plan.
Our hybrid approach entails using our carbon calculation platform, Ecologi Zero backed up with our in-house consultants who will support you every step of the way. This means we can support businesses to capture the correct and necessary data, work on the emissions calculations and produce a Carbon Reduction Plan in the required format. You can see an example report below.

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<h2>Calculate your carbon footprint</h2>
Our calculation tool helps firms to calculate their scopes 1, 2 &amp; 3.
Our integration with Xero helps users seamlessly import transaction data which we can turn into calculated emissions with our spend base emissions factors. 
With our Advanced Support feature, we can also process activity data for vehicles and travel, energy usage and home working, and more additional data as needed.

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<h2>Reduce your carbon emissions</h2>
Set emissions Reduction goals based on your emissions hotspots.
Setting reduction goals creates a clear and credible plan for your business to achieve the necessary emissions cuts on the journey to net-zero.
Our in-house team will help you to create a bespoke set of actionable goals to help you on your path to net-zero. These can range from tactics to improve data collection for subsequent reports to implementing strategies to reduce your emissions.

<h2>Report on your carbon reduction plans</h2>
Creating a GHG Protocol aligned Report &#8211; that can be used for tenders compliant with PPN 06/21.
The report contains: 

<ul>
<li>Scope 1, 2,  3 (as required) emissions, providing coverage of the required operational and supply chain emissions.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A net-zero commitment and corresponding graph.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">An overview of your business operations and the methodology used by Ecologi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li> A breakdown of these emissions from all seven GHGs represented as CO2e.</li>
<li>A declaration of emissions not captured in the report. </li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

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<h2>Learn through the Ecologi Academy</h2>
Our new Ecologi Academy Feature allows users to upskill themselves on the intricacies and complexities around ‘Net-Zero’ and other climate terms. 
 
There are infographics and breakdowns so we can help users to understand core climate ideas and how to communicate them to their wider team.

<h2>Supported all the way</h2>
Ecologi&#8217;s consultants play a crucial role in helping customers meet the mandatory requirements set by NHS with the PPN PPN 06/21 requirement, by providing comprehensive support throughout the carbon accounting process. Our team will help assist businesses in capturing the correct and necessary data, ensuring accurate emissions calculations using the Ecologi Zero carbon calculator. Our team will also guide you in producing detailed and compliant Carbon Reduction Plans (CRPs) by helping to process activity data for various sources of emissions to ensure all relevant emissions sources are accounted for and to improve the accuracy of your footprint, setting targeted emissions reduction goals, and creating GHG Protocol-aligned reports. This personalised support will ensure that NHS suppliers can efficiently calculate their carbon footprints, identify emission hotspots, and formulate effective strategies to mitigate their environmental impact while adhering to government regulations.

<h2>Conclusion</h2>
As the UK Government drives towards its 2050 net-zero carbon emissions target, the NHS&#8217;s mandatory Carbon Reduction Plan requirement under PPN 06/21 marks a significant step in ensuring its suppliers actively engage in emission reduction efforts. This policy, extending to all major government contracts, underscores the importance of comprehensive carbon accounting and effective carbon reduction strategies. Ecologi Zero emerges as a pivotal solution, saving time and positively impacting business bottom line by simplifying the compliance process for NHS suppliers and providing robust tools for calculating carbon footprints, setting reduction goals, and generating GHG Protocol-aligned reports. This streamlined approach not only helps businesses meet regulatory demands but also supports their broader sustainability objectives, contributing to the collective effort against climate change.


Click on the button below to speak to our team about how Ecologi Zero can help your business.


Your net-zero journey starts here

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Hopescrolling: The good news timeline

It’s not all bad. While there’s a lot of negative news about the climate, let’s not forget the good stuff. Find climate wins, reasons to be hopeful and plenty of positivity in our good news timeline.

The good news timeline

Ready to make a difference for our planet? Get in touch, and let’s chat about how we can help you on your climate journey. 

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Ecologi acquires Net Zero Now

In a landmark move set to reshape corporate climate action, we’re excited to announce that Ecologi, the UK&#8217;s most trusted climate action platform, has acquired <a href="https://netzeronow.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Net Zero Now</a>, the sector-specific carbon measurement and reduction platform for businesses.
The combined entity operating under the Ecologi brand will create a single solution for industry climate leadership towards net zero. The integration combines sector-specific carbon measurement and reduction with world class verified climate projects that supports businesses wherever they are on their net zero journey.

<h2>The game-changing impact of this acquisition</h2>
The strategic acquisition solves two fundamental challenges in corporate climate action: businesses have been forced to choose between fragmented solutions and generic ‘one size fits all’ approaches that ignore crucial sector-specific needs. By combining Net Zero Now&#8217;s sector-specific protocol expertise with Ecologi&#8217;s platform funding top-tier climate projects, we&#8217;re creating a tailored and complete solution helping businesses lead their industries towards net zero.

Reduce emissions.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Measure Scope 1, 2 &amp; 3 emissions with sector-specific industry GHG protocols</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Set short term and long term reduction target emissions aligned to SBTi</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tailored reduction plans for sector-specific emissions pathways</li>
</ul>
Restore our planet.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Compensate for unavoidable emissions as you reduce them through 
funding verified, high-quality carbon avoidance and removal credits</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Contribute to global climate goals by funding climate Impact Funds for 
beyond value chain mitigation and/or as part of your products &amp; services</li>
</ul>
Report on progress.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Corporate sustainability standards e.g. CSRD, SECR, SBTi, CDP, B Corp</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sector specific standards e.g. Accountancy, Hospitality, Public Sector</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Custom climate impact reports and embeddable dashboards</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Communications toolkit for board and stakeholder engagement</li>
</ul>

Climate leadership starts here

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Neil Ross Russell, Managing Director of Net Zero Now, said:
<blockquote>Businesses want to take climate action, but they want to know they’re doing it right and what’s right for a restaurant business is not the same as what’s right for an accounting firm.  They need industry-specific guidance and clear pathways to climate leadership. By joining forces with Ecologi, we&#8217;re creating a platform that allows us to provide credible, simple and affordable, sector-specific, end-to-end climate solutions for businesses in our existing sectors and collaborate with industry partners on new sector-led solutions.</blockquote>

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The acquisition aligns with Ecologi&#8217;s mission to accelerate business climate action and grow our 24,000 strong customer base. Established sector protocols including hospitality and professional services will be the initial focus with plans to expand across additional industries throughout 2025.
With organisations under increasingly complex stakeholder and industry compliance demands for environmental accountability, this end-to-end solution also ensures streamlined reporting, monitoring progress, supply chain transparency, and voluntary disclosures. This transforms business leaders into climate leaders with the confidence to tackle their climate commitments head-on, communicating and meeting critical regulatory requirements like SECR, CSRD and SBTi.

<h2>More about Net Zero Now</h2>
Founded in 2021, Net Zero Now has developed a proprietary sector-led approach, which combines climate expertise alongside the sector knowledge and experience of relevant industry bodies, industry influencers and larger businesses to reach a consensus around what Net Zero means in practice for businesses in each sector. To date, the company has measured and validated 1.8 MtCO2e lifetime emissions supporting more than 50+ leading brands including Coca Cola Europacific Partners, L&#8217;Orèal, Heineken, Pernod Ricard, Subway, Hard Rock Cafe, Adnams, Edgbaston and James Cowper Kreston.

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Case studies

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4 hospitality companies leading the way on climate action

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have in the hospitality industry — it&#8217;s a business necessity. With increasing regulatory pressure, shifting customer expectations, and the growing impact of climate change, hospitality businesses are finding that taking action isn&#8217;t just about responsibility—it&#8217;s about resilience. This is particularly evident as 70% of Brits are now actively trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle (Nutritics, 2024), and 44% say sustainability is important in their choice of venue to visit (Morning Advertiser, 2023). From tackling food waste to cutting carbon emissions, the sector is facing both challenges and opportunities to drive meaningful change.
At the heart of this transformation is the food system. The hospitality industry relies on farming—a sector responsible for nearly 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions and one that is increasingly vulnerable to climate disruption. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and supply chain instability are already affecting food availability and costs, making sustainability not just an ethical priority but a commercial imperative. This is reflected in consumer behavior, with 47% of consumers wanting more information about carbon footprints on menus, and 41% saying this information would influence their order (CGA Strategy, 2023).
Fortunately, forward-thinking hospitality businesses are stepping up, driven by clear market demand—34% of UK pub and restaurant goers are prepared to spend more in venues with strong sustainability credentials, increasing to 47% for Gen Z and Millennials (Sustainability Beat, 2023). This generational shift is significant, with consumers aged 18-34 being nearly twice as likely to pay more for sustainability than those aged 55+ (WaterAid, 2023).
As the food and beverage industry awakens to its environmental responsibilities, and with climate change threatening to fundamentally disrupt global food security, restaurants and food service enterprises are stepping up to take meaningful climate action. These pioneering businesses are demonstrating how sustainability can enhance business performance while making a positive environmental impact, even as they navigate the unique challenges of being both a contributor to and victim of climate change.
Read about four hospitality companies that are championing climate action, and explore how they are turning environmental challenges into business opportunities.
Whether it&#8217;s engaging employees, measuring carbon footprints, or developing new sustainable service offerings, these venues are setting the standard for a greener future in hospitality.
<ol>
<li>Hawksmoor: Leading Sustainability in Fine Dining</li>
<li>Freemans Event Partners: Pioneering Sustainable Event Catering</li>
<li>Lisini Pub Co: Family Legacy Meets Sustainable Innovation</li>
<li>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</li>
</ol>

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<h2>Hawksmoor: leading sustainability in fine dining</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li> Achieved B Corp certification in September 2022</li>
<li>Comprehensive review of operational sustainability across all locations</li>
<li>Implementation of energy reduction initiatives</li>
<li>Enhanced waste management systems</li>
<li>Water conservation measures</li>
<li>Integration of sustainability into staff training programs</li>
</ul>
Hawksmoor&#8217;s journey exemplifies how restaurant groups can lead in sustainability within the hospitality sector. Their comprehensive approach includes setting ambitious net-zero targets for 2030 while focusing on immediate operational improvements. The restaurant group&#8217;s commitment is evidenced by their systematic review of day-to-day operations across their locations in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and New York. What sets them apart is their holistic approach to sustainability: examining energy usage, waste management, and water consumption while maintaining their reputation for quality dining. Their structured approach to employee engagement includes a two-day intensive induction program that emphasises sustainability, making it a core part of their culture.
Ellie Besley-Gould, Head of Purpose at Hawksmoor, said:
<blockquote>We&#8217;ve been heavily involved with the Sustainable Restaurant Association since about 12 years ago&#8230; It&#8217;s a really important area for us to be stepping up the work in, looking at how we can inspire change.</blockquote>

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<h2>Freemans Event Partners: pioneering sustainable event catering</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Achieved 38.4% reduction in emissions compared to projections</li>
<li>Implemented innovative &#8220;Zero Zone&#8221; testing area</li>
<li>Introduced shuttle buggies for reduced transport emissions</li>
<li>Deployed hybrid power generators</li>
<li>Established carbon menu labelling</li>
<li>Enhanced waste management through compostable solutions</li>
</ul>
Freemans Event Partners&#8217; journey demonstrates how large-scale event catering can embrace sustainability without compromising service quality. Their innovative approach at the British Grand Prix showcases their commitment to reducing environmental impact in high-pressure environments. The company&#8217;s dedication is evidenced by exceeding their initial 5% emissions reduction target and implementing a groundbreaking &#8220;Zero Zone&#8221; area for testing new sustainability initiatives. What sets them apart is their data-driven approach to sustainability: measuring and analysing emissions across all aspects of their operation, from food stalls to logistics and waste management.
Richard West, Sustainability Manager at Freemans Event Partners, said:
<blockquote>Through partnering we&#8217;ve realised that collaboration is key to making lasting and impactful environmental changes in the events catering industry. The process has been much more straightforward than we thought it would be and we look forward to setting even bigger reductions targets as we go forward.</blockquote>

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<h2>Lisini Pub Co: family legacy meets sustainable innovation</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Reduced scope 1 and 2 emissions by 48% through renewable electricity</li>
<li>Won the Flor de Cana Rum Sustainability Award</li>
<li>Achieved lowest electricity demand in 10 years</li>
<li>Implemented LED lighting and sensor systems</li>
<li>Launched biodiversity project at Dalziel Park</li>
<li>Developed sustainable kitchen practices and menu innovation</li>
<li>Created venue-specific green teams</li>
</ul>
Lisini Pub Co&#8217;s journey demonstrates how family-owned hospitality businesses can transform their environmental impact while preserving their heritage. Their comprehensive approach combines traditional Scottish hospitality with modern sustainability practices across their venues, including the historic Angels hotel in Uddingston. What sets them apart is their innovative approach to sustainability: implementing competitive green teams across venues, achieving dramatic emissions reductions, and maintaining their commitment to quality service. Their structured approach includes both operational improvements and employee engagement, making sustainability a core part of their 45-year family legacy.
Siobhan Edwards, Director Lisini Pub Group, said:
<blockquote>It&#8217;s not until we&#8217;ve been working in the last year that we&#8217;ve really truly understood our carbon footprint. It&#8217;s the right thing to do, it&#8217;s the right thing for our customers, for our planet, for the environment, and actually it saves us money at the same time.</blockquote>

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<h2>The Assemblies: Pioneering Sustainable Hospitality in Bristol</h2>
Key Improvements:
<ul>
<li>Established 100-mile radius local sourcing policy</li>
<li>Implemented full venue LED lighting systems</li>
<li>Introduced reusable cups for music events</li>
<li>Developed nose-to-tail food waste reduction policy</li>
<li>Created vegetarian menu options to reduce emissions</li>
<li>Enhanced supplier partnerships for sustainability</li>
<li>Achieved an impressive 3-star rating in the Food Made Good Standard, scoring 92% overall and 91% specifically in environmental practices</li>
</ul>
The Assemblies&#8217; journey showcases how urban hospitality venues can lead in sustainability while building strong community connections. Since their inception in 2009, they&#8217;ve demonstrated that local sourcing and environmental responsibility can coexist with business success. What sets them apart is their data-driven approach to sustainability: analysing carbon ratings, implementing local sourcing policies, and creating innovative menu solutions. Their comprehensive strategy includes everything from sound system upgrades to waste reduction initiatives, making sustainability integral to their operation.
Anna Blightman, Brand Marketing Manager, said:
<blockquote>Something that our partnership has allowed us to do, is lay all the data out on the table so that we can actually look at it, and stand to analyse it and understand where we can make changes. If we don&#8217;t start now, when will we start?</blockquote>

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As these leading hospitality companies show, meaningful climate action can drive significant business benefits—from stronger customer and employee engagement to enhanced brand reputation and risk mitigation. By taking a thoughtful, transparent, and impactful approach, businesses can pave the way for a sustainable future.
Ready to take the lead in climate action? Book in a 30 minute discovery call with our Hospitality sector experts and find out more about partnering with Ecologi to measure your emissions, set reduction goals and fund high-quality climate action on the road to net-zero.

Are you a NHS or Government supplier? Here’s what you need to know about delivering a Carbon Reduction Plan.

Your net-zero journey starts here

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