Public Procurement and Property

Refreshed guidance for the Single Procurement Document and Bidder Climate Change Plans

June 16, 2026 by Scottish Procurement No Comments | Category Procurement Journey, Scottish Procurement, Supplier Journey

We have published refreshed guidance on the use of Single Procurement Document (SPD) question 4C.7 and bidder climate change plans, following feedback from across the public sector. The updates are designed to ensure a consistent, proportionate approach and clarify how plans should be assessed.

These changes are intended to support consistent application across the public sector while avoiding unnecessary burdens on buyers and suppliers.

Updated guidance

• Procurement Journey guidance
• Supplier Journey guidance

Why are we changing this?

We conducted a survey on the use of SPD 4C.7 and the Bidder Climate Change Plans during the November 2025 Heads of Procurement meeting.

The survey explored:

• whether buyers were using the plan templates
• how the templates were being used (as selection criteria or for information only)
• whether buyers are confident in determining relevant and priority contracts
• whether bidders, including SME bidders, are able to complete the plans
• where buyers direct bidders for support
• if more support is needed for buyers and/or bidders

What was the feedback?

We received 83 responses, from across the sector. Key themes included:

• buyers would like more guidance and training in this area
• some bidders, including SMEs, require further support, but support needs to be proportionate and manageable
• clearer guidance is needed that climate change plans are assessed on a pass/fail basis only and should not be scored
• Climate change plans should only be requested for tenders where relevant and proportionate

What’s new?

Procurement Journey updates:

• clearer guidance for buyers on using SPD 4C.7 question and the Bidder Climate Change Plan templates, emphasising relevance and proportionality to the contract
• added reference and link to the Climate Literacy eLearning module on the Sustainable Procurement Tools
• confirmation that climate change plans are assessed on a pass/fail basis only and should not be subject to a scored evaluation criterion
• removal of previous reference to progression timescales to allow a focus on embedding current best practice
• updated templates and examples available for buyers and suppliers

A new supplier guidance document that should be included alongside the procurement documents has also been introduced. This step-by-step guide supports suppliers in completing the templates and directs them to relevant tools and resources. It should be included alongside procurement documents.

Supplier Journey updates:

There have been minor updates to the Supplier Journey to reflect Procurement Journey changes and clarifications and ensure alignment across the platforms.

Standardised Statements update:

• at SPD 4C.7, wording has been updated to reinforce that response are assessed on a pass/fail criteria
• the link for guidance has been updated to direct users to the refreshed Procurement Journey

What else is planned?

We are developing a video resource for buyers to support effective use of the templates.

Get involved

If you have any feedback or questions, please email us at scottishprocurement@gov.scot.

For further information on public procurement in Scotland please visit www.gov.scot/procurement

Please email enquiries to scottishprocurement@gov.scot

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Tags: climate literacy, Procurement Journey, single procurement document, supplier journey

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