A carbon footprint assessment for a UK SME can range from a basic self-service calculation to a full Scope 1, 2 and 3 assessment delivered with a PPN 006 Carbon Reduction Plan, board-ready report and reduction recommendations. The right cost depends on business size, sector, data complexity and whether the output is needed for tenders, NHS supply chain requirements, SECR, internal reporting or net zero planning.
There are broadly four approaches. Free or basic online calculators produce rough estimates from high-level inputs — useful directionally but not suitable for procurement, tenders or client reporting. Carbon accounting software platforms operate on subscriptions of typically £3,000–£12,000 per year and require internal sustainability resource to use properly. Consultant-led assessments are delivered as a fixed-fee project — for a Scope 1, 2 and material Scope 3 assessment to the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, a UK SME can typically expect to pay between £895 and £3,995+VAT depending on headcount. Full compliance packages that include a PPN 006 Carbon Reduction Plan, board-ready report and reduction roadmap start from £1,095+VAT.
Software platforms provide a framework for data entry and calculation but do not remove the need to set boundaries, assess data quality, interpret results or produce a useful reduction plan. Without internal carbon accounting experience, the platform becomes an expensive data entry tool that still requires external support to produce a credible output. A consultant-led assessment is a fixed-scope project where the consultant handles methodology, data collection support, calculations, quality assurance and reporting — typically more cost-effective for SMEs that need a one-off or annual assessment for PPN 006, NHS supply chain or customer reporting.
Scope 1 and 2 only is the simplest and cheapest assessment but is not sufficient for PPN 006, most NHS requirements or buyer disclosures expecting supply chain data. Scope 1, 2 and selected Scope 3 is the most common SME approach — credible and defensible without requiring data that may not yet be available. Full Scope 1, 2 and 3 covers all 15 Scope 3 categories where applicable and is appropriate for science-based targets, CSRD-aligned reporting or sectors where downstream emissions are material. When comparing quotes, do not compare a Scope 1 and 2-only price with a full Scope 1, 2 and 3 price — they are fundamentally different products.
A Carbon Reduction Plan is a separate document from the carbon footprint but depends on the footprint data as input. Under PPN 006, most UK central-government contracts valued at £5 million per year or more require a CRP that includes a net zero commitment by 2050 or sooner, baseline emissions, current-year emissions, completed reduction measures and planned future actions. Because the CRP cannot be produced without a verified footprint, it is almost always bundled with the assessment. The Carbon Stamp's Procurement-Ready Package includes both the Scope 1, 2 and 3 footprint and the board-signed CRP in the Crown Commercial Service template, starting from £1,095+VAT.
Between £895 and £3,995+VAT for a one-off Scope 1, 2 and material Scope 3 assessment, depending on headcount and complexity. The Procurement-Ready Package (with PPN 006 CRP) starts from £1,095+VAT.
Not for most SMEs. SECR is mandatory for large UK companies. SME requirements are usually commercial — PPN 006 tenders, NHS supply chain, customer ESG or investor due diligence.
In most cases yes — Scope 3 is typically the largest share of an SME footprint and is expected for PPN 006, NHS and most buyer disclosures.
A footprint measures emissions. A CRP is a separate document with baseline, current footprint, net zero commitment and reduction measures. PPN 006 requires both.
Typically 2–4 weeks from data handover to final report for an SME with reasonable records. Expedited delivery is available for tender deadlines.
Indicative pricing (UK SMEs, +VAT, one-off): The Carbon Stamp's Carbon Impact Report ranges from £895+VAT (1–2 employees) to £3,995+VAT (151–250 employees). The Procurement-Ready Package — Scope 1, 2 and 3 footprint plus a PPN 006-compliant Carbon Reduction Plan — ranges from £1,095+VAT to £4,195+VAT across the same bands. Verified Gold Standard or Verra VCS offset credits are sourced at approximately £7/tCO₂e+VAT. Live pricing is published at https://thecarbonstamp.com/pricing.