As you know, the NHS has a commitment to reach net zero by 2040 for the emissions we control directly, and by 2045 for the emissions we influence, through the goods and services we buy from our partners and suppliers. To achieve this goal, the NHS needs the support of all our suppliers.

The Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment is an online tool designed for suppliers to engage with the NHS on their sustainability journey and to understand how to align with the NHS net zero ambition. The tool will serve as a pathway for communications and data gathering between suppliers and NHS decision makers across NHS organisations and will provide a mechanism for suppliers to showcase their sustainability efforts.

The assessment tool was piloted in 2022 ahead of wider rollout this year. Suppliers will be assessed against how they align with the NHS sustainability ambitions.

Carbon Reduction Plans (CRP)- PPN/06/20 and PPN/06/21

With more than 60% of the NHS’s carbon footprint deriving from the supply chain, NHS procurement is set to fulfil a significant role in reducing emissions and meeting the net zero aims.

In April 2022, the NHS adopted the government’s Procurement Policy Note PPN 06/20 (taking account of social value in the award of central government contracts), making a 10% weighting for net zero and social value compulsory in all procurements, with Fighting Climate Change included in every tender.

Aligning with PPN 06/21 (taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts), since April this year, for all NHS contracts above £5 million per year, suppliers must publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) for their UK Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a subset of Scope 3 emissions as a minimum. From April 2024, all NHS procurements must have a CRP.

Register for Evergreen now

To be notified when the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment tool launches, please register your interest with NHS England by the end of May. 

You can learn more about the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment tool from the NHS Central Commercial Function (CCF) session at NHS ConfedExpo 2023 in Manchester on 14 June.  NHS staff can register for the conference for free. To view the agenda or to book your place, see CCF’s LinkedIn post: NHS Central Commercial Function (CCF) on LinkedIn: Book your pass.

For further information, please contact: england.ccf-sustainability@nhs.net or read more on a Greener NHS and the net zero supplier roadmap on the NHS England website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/get-involved/suppliers/.