The "Do I need a Carbon Reduction Plan?" checker went live on 15 October 2026. It answers the question suppliers ask us most often, and it gives the reasons and the next steps, not just a yes or no.
Why we built it
The rules depend on who is buying. Central government asks for a plan on contracts above £5 million a year including VAT. The NHS asks for one above the same value and a Net Zero Commitment below it, while NHS Supply Chain tenders need Evergreen Level 1, which includes a plan, whatever the value. Councils and private customers can ask too. Small firms often find out at the tender stage, when there's little time left to measure a footprint.
What it asks
- Who the customer is: central government, the NHS, another public body or a private company.
- What the contract is worth each year: over or under £5 million, or not sure.
- How you'd supply it: directly, through a framework, or as a subcontractor.
The answer explains which rule applies and what to do next, including the change coming for larger NHS contracts on 1 April 2027. The rules behind it are tested in code, so every answer follows the same logic.
Related free tools
- NHS supplier carbon checker, for the full NHS picture now and from April 2027.
- Free Carbon Reduction Plan template, in the government's format.
- Do I need to report under SECR?
How Carbon Recycling helps
If the checker says you need a plan, Carbon Recycling turns your bills, mileage, travel and waste into a footprint with the government's own factors and builds the plan in the PPN 006 format, ready for a director to approve and publish. Read our guide to writing a PPN 006 plan for what it must contain.