IMAGE: NHS Supplier Roadmap
If you’re an NHS or UK Government supplier, you already know the pressure: Carbon Reduction Plans aren’t optional anymore—they’re the price of entry for public sector contracts. But meeting PPN 06/21 and NHS Evergreen Assessment requirements is one thing. Creating a plan that’s actually achievable? That’s another challenge entirely.
Over the past five years, we’ve built specialist expertise in carbon accounting and reduction planning, learning from leading organisations including Carbon Footprint Ltd, Trace, and David Hawes of Net Zero International. This investment in continuous professional development means our clients get strategies that are technically robust, commercially realistic, and compliant with the latest requirements.
2025 has been a particularly rewarding year. We have worked with NHS suppliers, manufacturers, and innovative businesses—including referring two clients to Net Zero International for variable model Product Carbon Footprinting: a solar carport installer and a fire extinguisher manufacturer designing for the circular economy. These partnerships demonstrate our commitment to connecting clients with the right expertise for their specific needs.
Most recently, we supported Associated Optical Products with their NHS Evergreen-compliant Carbon Reduction Plan. Starting in July 2025, we completed their entire plan—from carbon footprint verification to published strategy—in just four months.
The project included:
- Verifying and correcting their YE 2024 carbon footprint on Trace (892.1 tCO₂e baseline)
- Developing Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) aligned reduction targets
- Creating a comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap to 2045
- Facilitating a whole-team workshop to drive organisation-wide engagement
Looking ahead to 2026, we have two new clients signed up for January. We’ll begin by measuring their YE 2025 carbon footprints using activity-based data using the Trace platform, while simultaneously building internal capability through training two TBLA team members.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what Associated Optical had to say about working with Triple Bottom Line Accounting (TBLA).
Testimonial: Carbon Reduction Plan for Associated Optical December 2025
What challenge were you facing?
“As an NHS supplier, we needed to produce a Carbon Reduction Plan that met both PPN 06/21 requirements and the NHS Evergreen Assessment criteria. We had baseline carbon data on the Trace platform, but needed expert guidance to understand our emissions, set science-based targets, and develop a credible roadmap to Net Zero by 2045. With our team’s limited time and experience in carbon management, we needed a specialist who could take ownership of the technical aspects whilst engaging our entire organisation in the process.”
How did working with TBLA go?
“TBLA provided exceptional support throughout the entire process. Fran started by verifying and correcting our YE 2024 carbon footprint data on Trace, then developed a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy aligned with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) requirements.
What really set Fran apart was her facilitation of a whole-team workshop where she explained our 892.1 tCO₂e carbon footprint in terms everyone could understand, clearly outlined our reduction targets for 2030, 2034 and 2045, and helped us understand the specific actions needed across Scope 1, 2 and the five NHS priority Scope 3 categories.
The planning documentation she created was thorough yet accessible, with clear milestones, KPIs, and ownership assigned across different areas of the business.”
What value has the final Carbon Reduction Plan delivered?
“We now have a published Carbon Reduction Plan that not only meets NHS procurement requirements but provides us with a genuine roadmap for decarbonisation. The plan demonstrates our commitment to:
- 50% reduction in NHS Priority Scope 3 categories by 2030
- 100% elimination of Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2034 (SBTi requirement)
- Net Zero by 2045 with 90% total emission reduction
More importantly, TBLA helped our entire team understand their role in this journey. The workshop facilitated by Fran meant that carbon reduction became a company-wide initiative rather than just a compliance exercise. All deliverables were met professionally and on time.”
Would you recommend TBLA to other organisations?
“Absolutely. Technical carbon accounting expertise is combined with excellent communication and facilitation skills. A complex, potentially overwhelming topic was made accessible to our whole team and delivered a plan that’s both commercially realistic and environmentally ambitious. Any organisation needing carbon reduction planning – particularly NHS suppliers navigating Evergreen requirements – would benefit from working with TBLA.”
Stuart Baldwin, Partner
Associated Optical Products
August 2025
“Does your organisation need to meet PPN 06/21 or NHS Evergreen requirements? Book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your carbon reporting and reduction plan.”
Fran leads TBLA’s sustainability services and HR function, delivering Net Zero Workshops, decarbonisation and ESG consultancy for SMEs and organisations. She develops and delivers sustainability education across multiple frameworks, notably as tutor for ESTU Global’s Sustainability Manager and Carbon Manager programmes, teaching sustainability managers and leaders from diverse corporate backgrounds. In her dual role at TBLA, she obtained B Corp certification and drives the company’s ongoing ESG momentum, while supporting TBLA’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility through practical sustainability solutions and a focus on inclusive team leadership through the company’s HR function.
