If your business is bidding for public or private tenders, there’s a new success factor you can’t ignore: your carbon footprint.

Around the world, procurement authorities are integrating sustainability scoring into their evaluation criteria. Price and quality still matter — but increasingly, your environmental performance determines who wins.

From Ireland’s Green Public Procurement strategy to the EU Green Deal, UK PPN 06/21, and the US Buy Clean initiative, sustainable procurement is reshaping how contracts are awarded. Businesses that can measure, report, and reduce their emissions are gaining a real commercial edge.

Sustainability Is Now a Scored Criterion

Public buyers across the globe are embedding environmental metrics into tenders. Here’s how it’s unfolding:

The European Commission requires EU states to integrate green public procurement (GPP) standards across all sectors.

The UK’s Procurement Policy Note (PPN 06/21) mandates carbon reduction plans for contracts above £5 million.

The US Buy Clean initiative prioritizes suppliers with verified low-carbon materials.

Australia and Canada are adopting similar sustainable procurement frameworks to support net-zero commitments.

Depending on region and sector, ESG scoring in procurement can make up 10–30% of a total tender evaluation — enough to decide the outcome.

Why Carbon Footprint Reporting Is the Foundation

To compete effectively, businesses must understand their carbon footprint — typically measured according to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol:

Scope 1: Direct emissions (e.g. fuel combustion, company vehicles).

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heating, or cooling.

Scope 3: All other indirect emissions across your value chain — suppliers, transport, waste, business travel, etc.

Procurement bodies and investors increasingly expect verifiable carbon data. Many now require suppliers to submit a carbon reduction plan aligned with frameworks such as:

ISO 14064 (for quantifying and verifying greenhouse gas emissions),

Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting.

Simply saying “we’re committed to sustainability” no longer works. Tender evaluators want data-driven evidence — accurate, consistent, and traceable.

How to Score Higher in ESG-Based Tenders

Once you’ve measured your footprint, here’s how to leverage it to boost your tender score:

1. Submit a Verified Carbon Footprint Report

Include a verified report in your tender documentation. Emerald Power’s carbon accounting software helps you calculate and format this data according to GHG Protocol or ISO 14064, ready for submission.

2. Show Year-on-Year Emission Reductions

Procurement evaluators reward improvement. Use baseline comparisons to demonstrate real progress — even modest reductions show continuous effort.

3. Provide a Carbon Reduction Plan

Lay out your roadmap to net zero — renewable energy adoption, efficient logistics, sustainable sourcing, or supplier engagement. Many frameworks (like the UK PPN 06/21) explicitly award points for this.

4. Align with Global Climate Goals

Citing frameworks like the Paris Agreement or UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13: Climate Action) shows your efforts align with broader sustainability objectives.

5. Present It Professionally

Don’t hide your sustainability credentials in an appendix. Highlight them in your executive summary or methodology. A clear ESG narrative, supported by credible carbon data, makes your bid stand out.

Beyond Compliance: The Commercial Edge

Even outside tendering, credible carbon footprint reporting drives wider business value:

Investors expect ESG disclosures aligned with TCFD or CSRD.

Supply chains increasingly demand Scope 3 data from their partners.

Customers prefer suppliers with visible sustainability commitments.

By integrating carbon management into your business strategy, you future-proof operations, attract new opportunities, and strengthen your reputation.

The Bottom Line

Public tenders and private contracts are going green — globally.

If sustainability currently accounts for 15% of your score, expect that to rise. The companies that measure, manage, and communicate their emissions data are not just compliant — they’re winning.

At Emerald Power, we help organisations worldwide measure, reduce, and report their carbon footprint, turning sustainability into a tender-winning advantage.

Because in today’s procurement landscape, carbon literacy isn’t just good for the planet — it’s good business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why are tenders focusing more on sustainability and carbon footprints?

Governments and corporations must meet national and global climate goals. By scoring sustainability in tenders, they ensure supply chains actively contribute to emission reduction targets.

2. How can my business measure its carbon footprint?

Use a trusted carbon accounting platform like Emerald Power to calculate your Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, identify hotspots, and track progress toward reduction.

3. What is a carbon reduction plan and why is it important?

It’s a document outlining how your business plans to cut emissions over time — including targets, strategies, and measurable outcomes. It’s often required in ESG scoring criteria for major contracts.

4. Do small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need carbon reporting?

Yes. SMEs are increasingly required to share emissions data by both public bodies and large corporate clients aiming to manage Scope 3 emissions. Early adoption gives you a competitive advantage.

5. How often should I update my carbon data?

Annually. Regular reporting shows transparency and helps improve your ESG score year after year.

6. How can Emerald Power help?

Emerald Power simplifies carbon footprint reporting for tenders with automated data collection, compliance-ready reports, and actionable reduction insights — helping businesses score higher in sustainability assessments and win more contracts.