Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment: What Suppliers Need to Know for April 2026
From 6 April 2026, NHS Supply Chain will introduce an important update to our sustainability requirements for suppliers.
From this date, all suppliers submitting tenders will be required to have achieved Evergreen Level 1 at the point of tender close.
This marks a shift from our previous approach, where any Evergreen submission level was accepted.
This change will support suppliers on the journey toward the NHS’s net zero ambitions and prepare the market ahead of more advanced requirements arriving in 2027 and beyond.
Please contact the sustainability team for any support you may require.
Sustainability Team
What is the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment?
The Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment is NHS England’s official platform for suppliers to report their sustainability maturity. It offers a simple and consistent route for suppliers to share sustainability information with the NHS, replacing previous tools such as the Carbon Waste and Water Reduction Assessment (CWW).
What Evergreen Level 1 Means for Suppliers
Evergreen Level 1 represents the essential baseline sustainability standards expected by the NHS.
To reach Level 1, suppliers must:
- Demonstrate a commitment to achieving net zero by 2050
- Publish a PPN 006 compliant Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)
- Report UK Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant Scope 3 emissions.
A compliant CRP must include:
- Emissions for Scope 1, 2, and selected Scope 3 categories
- A clear net-zero commitment
- Approval at the board or director level
- Annual updates
- Publication on the supplier’s website.
Level 1 does not require global emissions reporting or full social value or modern slavery compliance; these are built into higher Evergreen levels.
Why this Requirement Matters
Over 60% of the NHS’s total carbon footprint, and 98% Of NHS Supply Chains footprint comes from its supply chain, making supplier action critical to achieving:
- Net zero for NHS controlled emissions by 2040, and
- Net zero for the NHS supply chain (Scope 3) by 2045.
Evergreen ensures suppliers are equipped with the right reporting practices ahead of the more detailed emissions reporting requirements that come into effect in 2027, including publicly reported targets and globally scoped Carbon Reduction Plans (CRPs).
How Evergreen fits into the NHS Supply Chain “Five Supplier Asks”
Evergreen is one part of the wider sustainability requirements we expect from every supplier. The Five Supplier Asks are:
- Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)
- Social Value
- Evergreen Assessment
- Horizon Scanning
- Modern Slavery Prevention.
Reaching Evergreen Level 1 does not replace or reduce any of these other obligations; suppliers must continue to meet the full set of Five Asks as part of their tendering and contract delivery responsibilities.
How this Change Supports Suppliers
Requiring Level 1 by April 2026 helps suppliers:
- Build foundational carbon reporting practices ahead of 2027 requirements
- Align their reporting with NHS expectations early
- Avoid last minute compliance issues as standards tighten
- Demonstrate credibility and readiness during tendering.
By setting a clear, achievable minimum standard, we’re helping suppliers progress in a structured, supportive way toward the long-term Net Zero commitments across the NHS.
Frequently Asked Questions for Suppliers
Yes. From 6 April 2026, your organisation must be at Evergreen Level 1 at tender close.
No. Evergreen Level 1 includes having a PPN 006 compliant CRP, but you must still meet all other requirements under the Five Supplier Asks.
No. Evergreen is required but not evaluated as part of tender scoring.
Annually. Your Evergreen maturity score is valid for 12 months, and suppliers are encouraged to update submissions whenever significant changes occur.
From 2027, suppliers must publicly report emissions targets and publish a globally scoped CRP (covering Scope 1–3). Evergreen Level 1 prepares suppliers for these more advanced requirements.
NHS England offers guidance, templates, and educational resources for Evergreen, CRPs, and wider sustainability reporting.
Next steps for suppliers
To prepare for April 2026, we encourage all suppliers to:
- Review your current Evergreen status
- Ensure your Carbon Reduction Plan is fully PPN 006 compliant
- Identify any gaps in Scope 1, 2, or eligible Scope 3 data
- Begin preparing for 2027 global reporting requirements.
If you need support or have questions, please contact the sustainability team, we are available to help guide you through the process.
Sustainability Team
Links section
-
A Net Zero Supply Chain and Suppliers
Suppliers are key to supporting sustainability targets, check out our sustainability page dedicated to the work we are doing in collaboration with suppliers.