Supplying to the NHS: A guide to Evergreen scores

What is the NHS Evergreen score?

The 'Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment' is a self-assessment and reporting tool for suppliers, enabling them to share sustainability information with the NHS and demonstrate alignment with the NHS net zero and sustainability ambitions.

After completing the online assessment, suppliers will receive a sustainability score against NHS priorities, which highlights their current position and gives a pathway to progress.

What has changed?

From April 2026, suppliers bidding for NHS Supply Chain tenders must have achieved Evergreen Level 1 by the point of tender close. Evergreen is now NHS England's central platform for assessing supplier sustainability maturity, and replaces earlier frameworks such as the Carbon, Waste and Water Reduction Assessment.

The requirement to achieve Evergreen Level 1 applies to all suppliers intending to submit tenders to the NHS Supply Chain. 

What are the Evergreen requirements?

To achieve Evergreen Level 1, suppliers must:

• Commit to reaching net zero emissions by 2050
• Publish a PPN 006-compliant Carbon Reduction Plan
• Report UK Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions

The Carbon Reduction Plan must include emissions data, a clear net zero commitment, board- or director- level approval, annual updates, and publication on the supplier's website.

Evergreen Level 1 does not require global emissions reporting, or the more complete social value and modern slavery disclosures expected at higher Evergreen levels.

What are the tender implications?

From April 2026, Evergreen Level 1 acts as an eligibility requirement for relevant NHS Supply Chain tenders. It must be achieved by the tender closing date, but is not scored or weighted as part of the qualitative evaluation.

Suppliers must also continue to meet other applicable NHS sustainability and compliance requirements, in line with the Five Supplier Asks: Carbon reduction plans, social value reporting, Evergreen, horizon scanning and modern slavery prevention.

Exact requirements can vary for different tenders (particularly at different values), so it is worth checking the compliance requirements before starting the tender process to ensure you have the necessary documentation. 

Next steps for suppliers

There has never been a better time to review your current carbon reporting position. The Evergreen assessment can be completed and updated at any time, so preparing or updating your carbon reduction planning to ensure PPN/006 compliance and reflect any organisational changes that have occurred.

Acting early will help avoid last-minute compliance issues when you are preparing your tender, and will put your organisation on the right path to navigate further reporting requirements expected from 2027 onwards.

How we can help

Green Economy work with organisations across a variety of sectors navigate the increasing sustainability requirements for NHS and public sector supply chain tenders. If you'd like to explore how we can support you, please visit our Evergreen readiness page:

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