NHS EVERGREEN
NHS Evergreen Assessment result
Received "No Level Awarded" on your NHS Evergreen Assessment?
You may not need to start again. The first step is to check your assessment feedback against the current Level 1 criteria and the evidence you submitted.
“No Level Awarded” means the submission has not demonstrated all the criteria for a maturity level. It is not a judgement on everything your business does. A focused review can identify gaps in your Carbon Reduction Plan, supporting evidence or portal answers.
Watch with Joanna: five checks after No Level Awarded · 6 min ↗
Why did I receive No Level Awarded?
Start with these four checks against the April 2026 Level 1 criteria.
Your Carbon Reduction Plan isn't quite right
Check that your published CRP meets PPN 006 requirements, identifies the reporting organisation and includes the required emissions, commitment and reduction measures. A completed template alone does not show that every requirement has been met.
Your emissions coverage is incomplete
Check Scope 1, Scope 2 and the five specified Scope 3 categories for the UK reporting boundary. Missing data should not be entered as zero. Explain estimates, exclusions and any gaps against the reporting guidance.
Your commitment or approval is unclear
Your CRP needs a public UK net zero commitment for 2050 or earlier, environmental measures in effect, and the required approval and sign-off. Check that these are explicit and that the plan is current.
Your answers don't match your evidence
Check that the entity, reporting year, emissions figures and target in your portal answers agree with the published CRP. Open every evidence link and read the assessment feedback before resubmitting.
Once you know which criterion has not been demonstrated, you can focus on the evidence or action needed to address it.
What evidence is usually missing?
Use this checklist to review your CRP and the evidence behind your Level 1 answers.
A published Carbon Reduction Plan
Must be live on your website, not just drafted.
Net zero commitment in your CRP
A public commitment to UK net zero by 2050 or earlier.
Baseline and current emissions
Check the reporting years, required scopes and calculation records. Explain any estimates or gaps.
Carbon reduction measures
Describe environmental measures already in effect and your planned reductions.
The five required Scope 3 categories
Upstream transport, waste, business travel, commuting and downstream transport, using the PPN 006 boundaries.
A clear reporting boundary
Identify the organisation covered and use a UK geographical boundary as the Level 1 minimum.
Approval and sign-off
Record the required board or equivalent approval and director or equivalent sign-off, with dates.
Consistency between answers and documents
If you answer yes to something, you need evidence to back it up.
Modern slavery and social value obligations still need checking separately. At Levels 1 and 2, the Evergreen matrix links modern slavery requirements to applicable legislation; a statement is not a universal extra Level 1 document for every small supplier. Your tender may ask for additional evidence.
Guidance checked 9 October 2026: NHS England’s April 2026 maturity criteria · NHS Supply Chain’s Level 1 guidance · PPN 006 technical standard.
What other suppliers say
"What a professional and knowledgeable experience I had with Joanna from the Evergreen Assessment team. She helped our company achieve our required assessment level. Joanna was quick to identify missed opportunities and assisted us in addressing information gaps and navigating the scope and emissions minefield."
Services
Start with a free initial review. Let’s work out what needs attention.
After No Level Awarded
Help after No Level Awarded
Free initial review
I’ll take an initial look at your situation and the evidence you already have, share practical feedback and help you decide what to tackle next. There’s no charge and no obligation.
Request a Free ReviewSee what the review coversIf you need further help, we can agree the right support and a clear fee before any paid work begins.
Important notes
Evergreen Assessment support helps suppliers understand and strengthen their submission. It does not guarantee a specific NHS Evergreen level, tender result or procurement outcome. Final submission decisions remain the responsibility of the supplier.
Can small businesses actually achieve Level 1?
Yes. Genuinely.
Small businesses can achieve Level 1. The core criteria still apply: the work should be proportionate to your operations, with clear evidence for each relevant requirement.
Start with the current criteria and what you already have. You may be able to strengthen an existing CRP and its supporting records instead of creating a large suite of new policies.
What Level 1 does and doesn't require
It does require
- A published PPN 006-aligned CRP, kept current
- A UK net zero commitment for 2050 or earlier
- Scope 1, Scope 2 and the required Scope 3 subset
- Environmental measures, approval and sign-off
It does not require
- A dedicated sustainability team
- ISO 14001 certification
- Independent target validation or emissions verification
- An expensive consultancy
Frequently asked questions
Straightforward answers to the questions I hear most often.
Why did I receive No Level Awarded?
It means your submission has not demonstrated all the criteria for Level 1. Check the feedback alongside the published CRP, required emissions coverage, UK net zero commitment, approval and portal answers. Identify the specific gap before making changes.
What is NHS Evergreen Level 1?
Level 1 is the entry maturity level. Under the April 2026 criteria, it centres on a published PPN-aligned CRP, UK emissions reporting and a UK net zero commitment. NHS Supply Chain requires Level 1 at tender close for tenders from 6 April 2026. Check other buyers’ requirements separately.
Can small businesses achieve Level 1?
Yes. Small suppliers can meet Level 1 with a clear CRP and evidence appropriate to their operations. The core reporting and publication requirements still apply; being small does not automatically remove a required emissions category.
Do I need a Carbon Reduction Plan?
Yes, a published PPN-aligned CRP is central to Level 1. It needs the required emissions information, net zero commitment, environmental measures and approval. Use the current PPN 006 guidance and check the assessment criteria and your tender.
Should I complete the assessment again straight away?
Get a fresh pair of eyes on your situation. Start with a free initial review and practical feedback on your next steps.
What documents are usually required?
Start with your published CRP, calculation records, approval and evidence links. Check modern slavery and social value obligations separately under applicable legislation and the tender. PPN 006 is the current reference for relevant new procurements; PPN 06/21 can still apply under the transitional rules for older procurements and contracts.
Ready to find out exactly what is blocking you?
Start with your name, email and a message. We can arrange any useful assessment feedback or documents after you get in touch.