The NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment is the NHS’s sustainability assessment framework, designed to help suppliers demonstrate their environmental credentials and support the NHS ambition of achieving Net Zero by 2045.
For many organisations already supplying, or intending to supply, goods and services to the NHS, achieving an appropriate Evergreen Level is becoming increasingly important. From the 6th of April 2026, Level 1 is now a minimum requirement for all suppliers bidding for new NHS Supply Chain Frameworks, making it the essential first step in your sustainability journey.
What is Evergreen Level 1?
Evergreen Level 1 recognises organisations that have established the foundations of carbon management and are publicly committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve Evergreen Level 1, an organisation needs to demonstrate that it has:
- A published Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) that meets UK Government Procurement Policy Note requirements.
- A public commitment to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner.
- Reported Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions.
- Practical carbon reduction measures such as energy efficiency, renewable electricity, sustainable travel and waste reduction.
Why Does It Matter?
- Improved readiness for NHS procurement opportunities.
- Demonstrates compliance with current NHS sustainability expectations.
- Provides a foundation for progressing to higher Evergreen Levels.
- Supports wider ESG, customer and stakeholder requirements.
- Builds confidence in your organisation’s Net Zero strategy.
Ready to Get Started?
If your organisation supplies, or plans to supply the NHS, now is the ideal time to prepare for the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment. Contact Environmental Strategies Ltd. today to discuss how we can help you achieve Evergreen Level 1 and support your wider Net Zero journey.
How We Can Help
Environmental Strategies Ltd (ESL) has extensive experience of supporting organisations with carbon reporting, NHS sustainability requirements and Net Zero planning. We can help you to:
- Identify relevant Scope 3 emission categories.
- Calculate organisational greenhouse gas emissions.
- Produce a compliant Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP).
- Develop practical carbon reduction initiatives.
- Prepare evidence for the Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment.
- Build a roadmap towards higher Evergreen maturity levels.
Other Upcoming Changes
From April 2027, the Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) requirements will expand for all NHS suppliers to publicly report targets and publish a CRP for global emissions. This will require full Scope 1, 2, and all 15 Scope 3 categories tracking globally.
