Carbon, sustainability and the rules, made clear
Customers, public buyers, the NHS and lenders increasingly want to know your carbon footprint and how you plan to cut it. A few larger businesses also have legal duties. We help you work out what applies to you, get the numbers right, and keep it simple.
The honest picture
Most small and medium-sized businesses don't have to report their carbon by law. The pressure usually comes from customers and tenders instead. Starting early is cheaper and calmer than rushing the week a tender closes.
ESG stands for environmental, social and governance. It simply means how your business treats the planet and people, and how well it is run.
Two questions, two pages
Reporting standards
How do I measure and report?
The recognised methods and formats: how a carbon footprint is worked out, what goes in a Carbon Reduction Plan, and the ratings customers ask for, such as EcoVadis and B Corp.
Legislation
What does the law require, and does it apply to me?
The UK and EU rules, who they catch and the key dates, from energy reporting for large companies to public sector buying rules and carbon border taxes.
What applies to me?
Find your starting point
- 1
Get your numbers
No legal duty, and no one asking yet. A simple footprint of the fuel and electricity you use, and a short action list, so you're ready when the question comes.
- 2
Tender-ready
You bid for public sector or NHS work, or a customer has asked for carbon figures. A published Carbon Reduction Plan, plus NHS Evergreen Level 1 if you tender through NHS Supply Chain.
- 3
Big-customer ready
NHS contracts of £5m or more a year or new NHS frameworks (from 1st April 2027), an EcoVadis request, large EU or multinational customers, or B Corp plans. A fuller footprint and plan with targets, and often a rating such as EcoVadis.
- 4
Legally in scope
You meet the size tests for SECR or ESOS, import £50,000 or more a year of steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser or hydrogen, or are listed on the stock exchange. Get the legal reporting right first, and expect customers to ask for the rest too.
Plus: exporting to the EU?
If you sell steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser or hydrogen into the EU, your buyer needs the carbon figures for your products, whatever your size. We'll help you work out what your EU customers need.
Not sure? We'll check it with you on a free call.
How we help
Six clear steps
- 1
Free first call
Twenty minutes about your business, your customers and any tenders coming up. We'll tell you honestly what you need, and what you don't.
- 2
Check what applies
We run through the size tests, your customers and your tenders, and agree your starting point.
- 3
Get your numbers
You send a year of energy bills, fuel cards, mileage, waste and delivery records, using a simple checklist. We turn them into your carbon footprint using the recognised international method.
- 4
Make a plan
We set realistic targets and actions with you, and many of them also cut energy costs. A director signs it off.
- 5
Report or certify
We prepare what you've been asked for: a Carbon Reduction Plan for your website, figures for your annual report, an EcoVadis submission, an NHS Evergreen assessment or B Corp. Tender sections on carbon and social value are covered too.
- 6
Keep it up
Update once a year, track progress, and step up when your customers ask for more.
One point of contact
ADM is your single contact and coordinates everything. The specialist carbon, rating and certification work is delivered with our specialist delivery partner, ESG Pro, a certified B Corp with an EcoVadis Platinum rating.
Built around how you operate
We work with manufacturers, engineering firms, food producers, distribution and warehousing businesses, and multi-site organisations. We shape the work around your sites, your customers and the questions you are actually being asked.
Linked to your energy
For many sites, energy makes up a large part of the footprint. Because we also handle solar, battery storage, efficiency and energy buying, the actions in your plan can become real projects that cut both carbon and cost.
Not sure where to start?
Book a free call and we'll tell you what applies to your business and what can wait.
Already have a carbon report? Get it reviewedSee our carbon and accreditation case studiesGeneral guidance only. Rules and schemes change, so we check the current requirements for your business before you act.