Supplying the public sector? New emissions guidance means your carbon figures matter more

If your business sells to councils, schools, NHS bodies or other public organisations in England, there's a new government publication worth knowing about. It doesn't change the rules for you today, but it shows where public sector buyers are heading on carbon.

What's been published

On 21st October 2026, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published a technical report and insights for public sector organisations in England on how they can measure and report their emissions. It focuses mainly on energy use in, and emissions from, buildings. It covers the challenges with current approaches, what goes into a reporting framework, and what public bodies should weigh up when deciding how to measure their emissions. Read the government's guidance

It's guidance to help public bodies make informed decisions. It isn't new law, and it doesn't place any new requirements on suppliers.

Where suppliers come in

The report lists ways that emissions reporting can drive change. Two of them involve the private sector directly: engaging suppliers to report and reduce their emissions, and assessing suppliers on their climate performance.

It's also frank about the weaknesses of supply chain (Scope 3) figures. Many organisations estimate these from what they spend, combined with industry averages. The report notes that this can make cheaper suppliers look less polluting, and that a switch to a lower-carbon supplier may not show up in the numbers at all. It says many of these problems can be reduced where suppliers provide details of the emissions in the products they supply.

In plain terms, a public body that wants better data has a clear reason to ask its suppliers for their own figures rather than relying on averages.

What it could mean for your business

• You may start to see more questions about your emissions in tenders, renewals or supplier reviews.
• If you can give real figures, your customer's reporting reflects what you actually do, not an industry estimate.
• If you've already cut your energy use or switched to cleaner power, your own numbers are how that gets recognised.
• Having a basic carbon footprint ready now is far easier than pulling one together against a tender deadline.

What we'd suggest

Start with the basics: your energy bills, fuel use and any company vehicles. These usually make up the bulk of a smaller business's direct emissions and are the figures customers tend to ask for first. If you'd like help turning them into a clear, simple carbon report you can share with public sector customers, we're happy to have a quick, no-obligation chat.