Reporting standards: how you measure and report
A reporting standard is a recognised method or format. It sets out how to count your carbon and how to present it, so customers, buyers and auditors can trust the numbers. Measure once, properly, and the same figures can feed every tender, rating and report.
Measuring
Measuring your footprint
GHG Protocol and the three scopes
The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol is the recognised international method for working out a carbon footprint, and almost every tender and rating uses it. It splits emissions into Scope 1 (fuel you burn), Scope 2 (electricity and heat you buy) and Scope 3 (everything else, such as goods you buy, deliveries, waste, travel and commuting). We measure your footprint to this method, using the UK Government's official conversion factors.
ISO 14064
An international standard for measuring greenhouse gases and having the figures independently checked ("verified"). Few small firms need it, but it helps when a customer or lender wants verified figures. We'll tell you whether it's worth it.
Plans
Carbon Reduction Plans
PPN 006 plan format
The UK government's template for a Carbon Reduction Plan: a net zero by 2050 commitment, your Scope 1 and 2 emissions plus five parts of Scope 3 (deliveries in and out, waste, business travel and staff commuting), your reduction steps, director sign-off, publication on your website and a yearly update. Many councils, universities and large companies copy it. We write it with you, ready for your next tender.
NHS Carbon Reduction Plan
Most NHS contracts use the same format. From 1st April 2027, a fuller version is needed for contracts of £5m or more a year and all new NHS frameworks: it covers your whole business worldwide, all relevant parts of Scope 3 and published targets. We build the version you need and help you fill any gaps over time.
Annual report
Reporting in your annual report
SECR content
Businesses caught by SECR (Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting) must show their UK energy use, the related Scope 1 and 2 emissions, at least one ratio (such as carbon per £1m of turnover), the method used, last year's figures and their main energy-saving steps. We prepare the figures and wording for your accountant.
UK SRS and ISSB
The UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) are the UK version of the global ISSB standards (from the International Sustainability Standards Board), used to report climate and sustainability risks to investors. They are voluntary for most businesses, and listed companies move to them from 2027. We help listed clients report, and help suppliers give their listed customers the data they ask for.
ESRS and VSME
The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are the detailed format the EU's largest companies use. VSME is the EU's simple voluntary standard for smaller businesses, and it also sets the limit on what large EU customers can ask most suppliers for. We prepare one simple VSME-style data pack you can reuse for every EU customer.
Ratings
Ratings, certifications and disclosures
EcoVadis
An online sustainability rating that many large companies ask their suppliers to get. It covers environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable buying, and the best scores earn a Bronze to Platinum medal. We find the gaps, help write the policies, gather the evidence and prepare your submission.
B Corp
A certification from B Lab for businesses that meet high standards on people, planet and how they're run. Its new standards include required climate action, and UK companies add a clause to their company rules (Articles of Association). We guide you through the requirements and evidence, all the way to certification.
NHS Evergreen
The NHS's supplier sustainability assessment. Level 1 means a net zero commitment, a published Carbon Reduction Plan and reported emissions, renewed every year, and higher levels draw on things like EcoVadis or B Corp. We help you reach the level your NHS tenders need.
CDP
A global platform (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) where companies answer climate questions, usually because a big customer or investor has asked them to. We prepare your answers from the same footprint.
SBTi (science-based targets)
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) checks whether a company's carbon-cutting targets are in line with climate science. It's voluntary, and it suits firms under strong customer or investor pressure once their figures are steady. We'll tell you whether it's worth it and help set targets.
Not sure what you need?
Book a free call and we'll tell you which of these apply to your business and what can wait.
General guidance only, not legal advice. Rules and dates as at October 2026. We check the current requirements for your business before you act.