7 Key Lessons from TfL’s Implementation of the CO₂ Performance Ladder 

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is driving innovation in sustainable procurement, with Transport for London (TfL) piloting its use in the UK. Action Sustainability, the national coordinating partner for the Ladder’s implementation in the UK, recently hosted a podcast where TfL’s Anna Fish and Henry Yeomans shared their experiences. Here are seven key lessons from their conversation: 

1. What Is the CO₂ Performance Ladder? 

The CO2 Performance Ladder is an instrument designed to help organisations reduce carbon emissions across their operations, projects, and the wider business sector. Originating in the Netherlands, the Ladder has gained recognition as a proven instrument for effective carbon management across Europe. It incentivises organisations to reduce carbon emissions by integrating sustainability criteria into tender evaluations. 

2. TfL’s Motivation to Adopt the Ladder 

As one of the UK’s largest public procurers, TfL sees the Ladder as a way to align procurement with their corporate environment plan. Henry Yeomans, Head of Procurement for Track and Fleet, remarks: 

“It would be remiss of us not to consider the impact our supply chain has on London and the rest of the UK.” 

The pilot enables TfL to lead by example, bringing suppliers into their decarbonisation efforts and supporting their target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030. 

3. A Simple Yet Powerful Tool 

TfL’s team has found the Ladder surprisingly easy to adopt. Key benefits include: 

• Seamless integration into existing tender processes. 

• Minimal additional investment or resources. 

• Clear alignment of cost and carbon considerations. 

Anna Fish, Environment Manager for Scope 3 and Supply Chain, explains: 

“It’s super easy to adopt and has been surprisingly smooth, even as a pilot.” 

4. Strengthening Supplier Engagement 

One of the Ladder’s unique advantages is its ability to foster meaningful supplier engagement. By incentivising carbon reductions, it encourages suppliers to align their sustainability efforts with TfL’s goals. 

“The Ladder amplifies what suppliers are already thinking about and provides the push they need,” says Yeomans. 

5. Driving Industry Maturity 

Beyond individual tenders, the Ladder is helping TfL raise the sustainability standards across entire sectors. By focusing on carbon-intensive materials and activities, TfL aims to create a ripple effect, encouraging widespread adoption of greener practices. 

6. Lessons for Other Public Procurers 

TfL’s advice to other organisations considering the Ladder is clear: start small but dive in. Pilot it with a few high-carbon procurements to refine the process before scaling up. 

“Don’t be put off by the complexities of carbon management; the Ladder makes it straightforward,” Yeomans advises. 

7. Aligning with Broader Sustainability Goals 

The Ladder supports TfL in complying with public procurement standards like PPN 06/20 and 06/21, while also advancing global sustainability goals.  

As highlighted in our recent blog, the Ladder aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 7 (Clean Energy). To explore this connection in detail, you can read our full blog here. 

Why TfL’s Experience Matters 

TfL’s adoption of the CO₂ Performance Ladder demonstrates its potential as a practical tool for sustainable procurement. Their insights, shared during the podcast, provide a roadmap for other organisations looking to align procurement with decarbonisation efforts. 

Listen to the full podcast episode here, where Anna Fish and Henry Yeomans explore TfL’s sustainability journey in depth. 

To learn how the CO₂ Performance Ladder can support your organisation’s decarbonisation journey, contact us today.