NHS Supplier ESG Support

PPN (Prior Policy Note) 006 is the NHS England policy mandating sustainability requirements in supplier contracts. It establishes that suppliers must have a valid Carbon Reduction Plan, demonstrate ESG governance, and show progress toward Net Zero. It sets the framework for NHS procurement teams assessing suppliers. The key implication: your ESG position is no longer optional or aspirational—it’s contractually relevant. Non-compliance or poor evidence can affect your ability to win NHS business.

Evergreen is a sustainability assessment scheme used by NHS procurement. Level 1 assesses the basics: Do you have a documented ESG commitment? Is there clear governance and accountability? Can you report Scope 1, 2, and relevant Scope 3 emissions? Are you engaging suppliers? Evergreen Level 1 is not complex, but it does require evidence—not just claims. It’s designed to verify that your sustainability work is genuine and embedded, not a box-ticking exercise.

Yes. NHS sustainability requirements apply to organisations of all sizes. While SMEs may face additional challenges due to limited resources, they are still expected to demonstrate governance, credible reporting and evidence of progress.

NHS requirements are specific: Evergreen Level 1 is not applicable elsewhere; CRP standards follow PPN 006 guidance; Scope 3 reporting is tied to supply chain visibility (a known gap for most suppliers). Valpak’s NHS-specific expertise addresses these gaps directly.

A Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) must be based on emissions data from a reporting period that is less than 12 months old when procurement activity begins. If your plan uses older data, it may be deemed non-compliant and could affect your ability to progress through the NHS tender process.

Yes, an expired CRP can be renewed, but it must be updated with current emissions data and reviewed to ensure it continues to meet NHS requirements. We recommend treating CRP reviews as an annual activity, refreshing emissions data, targets and supporting evidence at least once a year. If your plan is currently out of date, updating it should be a priority, as procurement teams increasingly review the validity and quality of Carbon Reduction Plans during the selection stage.

Common issues include:

✓ Reporting periods older than 12 months
✓ Missing board approval or sign-off
✓ Incorrect or poorly documented Scope 3 boundaries
✓ Missing Net Zero commitments
✓ Inconsistent emissions methodologies
✓ Weak or unsupported reduction targets

Minimally annually. Your CRP needs annual data refresh at minimum. Your targets and strategy should be reviewed at least annually, and ideally more frequently if your business changes materially. Treating this as an annual health check—reviewing progress, updating targets, refreshing supplier engagement—signals active governance and improves data quality year-on-year.

Any NHS Supply Chain tender issued after April 2026 will require Level 1 status at tender close. Without it, your bid cannot be submitted. Existing contracts are not affected, but future opportunities will be blocked. Valpak can help you reach Level 1 within weeks, not months. Book a Postion Audit.

Evergreen Level 1 status doesn’t expire, but your Carbon Reduction Plan and Scope 3 data must stay current (less than 12 months old at tender start). Valpak manages ongoing compliance.

Common challenges include:

✓ Evidence gaps
✓ Unclear sustainability governance
✓ Lack of documented reporting processes
✓ No supplier engagement programme
✓ Limited accountability and ownership

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from your operations (heating, fleet)
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy (electricity)
• Scope 3: Indirect emissions from your supply chain, waste, etc.

NHS requires all three. Scope 3 is typically the largest.

For many organisations, the challenge is obtaining reliable supplier data. Effective supplier engagement and robust data collection processes are essential to improving accuracy over time.

Start with the essentials:

• Scope 1: Does your facility use fuel? How much energy? What type?
• Scope 2: Electricity consumption (kWh and source if possible).
• Scope 3: Distance shipped, manufacturing processes, waste handled.

Provide a simple template or questionnaire. Explain why you need it and how it supports your mutual Net Zero commitment. For first-time requests, offer support or simplified options (e.g., industry-average data for Year 1). Make it easy for small suppliers to participate. Follow up personally where possible.

Most first-time Scope 3 submissions have gaps. Common gaps: fan travel (for sports), supply chain emissions, commercial partner data. Valpak’s audit identifies gaps and prioritises fixes.

No. Each tender requires data current as of procurement start. If your data is 14 months old, it fails. Valpak’s Supply Chain ESG Data platform keeps your data current automatically.

Ground them in evidence, not assumptions. Start with your current emissions baseline. Research sector benchmarks or science-based frameworks (e.g., SBTi if you qualify). Set targets that are ambitious but achievable given your control and influence. For Scope 1 and 2, you have direct control, so targets should be proportionately ambitious. For Scope 3, targets often depend on supplier progress—acknowledge this. Document your rationale. Vague targets (“20% reduction by 2030”) without basis signal lack of rigour. Clear, evidenced targets signal commitment.

Organisations should review existing Carbon Reduction Plans, assess data quality, identify Scope 3 reporting requirements, engage key suppliers and establish clear governance processes.

Early preparation reduces risk and helps build long-term procurement readiness.

Often, yes. Data already collected for schemes such as Extended Prodecer Responsibility, Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS),  Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) and wider ESG reporting can often support NHS sustainability requirements and reduce reporting duplication.

If your supply chain includes packaged goods, you’ll report scope 3 emissions tied to that packaging. Valpak can help audit your supply chain to identify where packaging (and packaging data) sits.

Yes, and the NHS values it. Social value might include community employment, apprenticeships, fair wages for supply chain workers, diversity commitments, or local economic benefit. Carbon reduction and social value together tell a fuller story of your business. Document and communicate both. However, don’t confuse them—strong carbon targets remain fundamental. Social value is complementary, not a substitute.

Depends on your current baseline. For most suppliers with moderate governance gaps: 4–8 weeks.

Book a call to discuss your specific situation. Most suppliers find that compliance costs less than losing a tender due to ESG gaps.