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Enforce and incentivise decarbonisation through contracts

Negotiate and agree incentives for suppliers to meet contractual climate obligations and set consequences for when they are not met

Updated:

16 December 2025

Published:

14 February 2024

Application:

Universal application

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This guide enables organisations to:

incentivise suppliers to meet contractual climate obligations;
incentivise suppliers to support an organisation’s climate targets through contractual provisions;
impose consequences when agreed contractual climate obligations and targets are not met.

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Price mechanisms

An organisation (Party A) is likely to require its suppliers’ (Party B) cooperation to meet its own environmental targets. Price mechanisms, such as price increases, gain-share payments or price reductions could be agreed between the parties to incentivise suppliers to comply with contractual climate obligations. These are powerful tools, but may require a high level of internal sign-off such as how to calculate the price mechanism, the bargaining power between the parties, and managing supplier expectations pre-contract, which could prolong negotiations.

Price increase

Reward a supplier that meets or beats its contractual climate objectives with a price increase for the goods and services the organisation buys from the supplier.

Negotiate and agree the contractual climate objectives directly with the supplier, including emissions-reduction targets. See [Daniel’s Clause] Sustainability Key Performance Indicators in Construction Works Task Orders for an example of objectives that could be agreed. Favourable objectives on emissions require a reduction of the supplier’s scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

As an example, the price increase could be triggered if the supplier meets or beats its climate contractual objectives. The contract could further require the supplier to integrate the contractual climate objectives within its internal policies and practices, and where relevant, the price mechanism into its own supply chain contracts.

Example wording

If [Party B] meets the climate objectives in clause [● on climate objectives] during [a calendar year of the contractual term], [Party A] shall pay [Party B] an increase in the price payable as set out under clause [●] of [●] percent in the next calendar year by [date].

If [Party B] exceeds the climate objectives in clause [● on climate objectives] during [a calendar year of the contractual term] by up to [●] percent, [Party A] shall pay [Party B] an increase in the price payable as set out under clause [●] of [●] percent in the next calendar year [subject to a cap of ● percent] by [date].

[Party B] shall [use best endeavours to] ensure that clauses [● on price uplift] are added to any and all of its [commercial] contracts that relate to its obligations under this agreement.

Incentivise a supplier to meet or exceed its contractual climate objectives in exchange for a gain-share payment. The payment could, for example, be calculated by reference to the value of the goods or services provided under the contract.

Example wording

If [Party B ] reduces Total Emissions by more than [●] percent each year when compared to the previous year, as required by clause [●] (Agreed Reduction)], the following gain-share mechanism shall apply:

Total Reduction = the absolute reduction in carbon footprint between [year] and [the following year]
Additional Reduction = Total Reduction less the Agreed Reduction
Gain-share Payment = Additional Reduction x [insert agreed rate] to offset 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent x 50 percent.

The maximum cumulative value of any Gain-share Payment(s) due to [Party B] in any year of the contract shall be equal to [●] percent of the value of the [goods or services] provided by [Party B] to [Party A] in respect of that same year. The carbon footprint is measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Price reduction

Reduce the price the organisation pays for goods and services if the supplier fails to meet and/or is in breach of its contractual climate obligations.

Example wording

[Party B] shall reduce the scope 1 and 2 [and 3] emissions related to the performance of this agreement according to the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●].

1. No variation in price

The price payable as set out in clause [●] shall not change if [Party B]’s Total Emissions are:

less than
equal to
within [●] percent of

the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●].

2. Simple discount

If [Party B]’s Total Emissions, as calculated in accordance with schedule [●], are more than the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●] by [●] percent, the price payable by [Party A] as set out in clause [●] shall be reduced by [●] percent.

3. Matching discount

If [Party B]’s Total Emissions are more than the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●] by [●] percent, the price payable as set out in clause [●] shall reduce by the same percentage amount by which the emissions exceed the emissions-reduction targets [up to a cap of [●] percent].

This price adjustment takes effect on [date] and will last until the end of the agreement unless superseded by this clause.

Rebate

Give the supplier a rebate on the price of goods or services the organisation buys under a contract if the supplier meets or beats its contractual climate obligations.

Example wording

[Party B] shall meet the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●].

The price for [goods or services] payable as set out in clause [●] shall change relative to [Party B]’s performance against the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●] according to this clause [●].

1. No variation

If [Party B]’s scope 1 and 2 [and 3] emissions are:

less than
equal to
within [●] percent of

the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●], the price payable as set out in in clause [●] will not change.

2. Simple rebate

If [Party B] has reduced its scope 1 and 2 [and 3] emissions by more than the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●] by at least [●] percent, the price payable to [Party B] as set out in clause [●] increases by [●] percent.

3. Matching rebate

If [Party B]’s scope 1 and 2 [and 3] emissions are less than the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●] by at least [●] percent, the price payable as set out in clause [●] increases by the same percentage amount [up to a cap of [●] percent].

This price adjustment takes effect on [date].

Step-in rights

If a supplier fails to meet contractual climate obligations, the use of a step-in clause could be utilised, which would permit the organisation to perform the work, or appoint a third party to perform the work at the supplier’s expense.

Step-in rights are a common feature of services contracts and can include climate-related requirements.

Suppliers will want to avoid triggering a step-in clause due to the potential cost implications, disruption and loss of competitive advantage. For example, if the third party appointed to perform the supplier’s work is a competitor. This may therefore incentivise the supplier to meet its contractual obligation.

Audit rights

A contract could contain a right for the organisation to request a full audit of the supplier’s climate performance (or even overall performance) in the event that a supplier fails to meet its contractual climate obligations.

If an independent auditor confirms that the supplier has failed to achieve its contractual climate obligations, consider making the supplier liable for the cost of the audit.

The management time and financial costs of audits are onerous and a powerful incentive for the supplier to meet climate obligations.

Remedy a breach

Require the supplier to report breaches of its contractual climate obligations, and propose a remedy for the breach within a fixed period. If the breach cannot be remedied, or is not remedied satisfactorily, the contract should contain provisions to allow the organisation to, for example:

terminate the contract
trigger step-in rights
recover losses through other damages provisions.

Example wording

If [Party B] breaches clause [● on climate obligations], [Party B] shall, within [●] business days of becoming aware of the breach, submit a report to [Party A] (a Breach Report).

A Breach Report shall set out all of the following:

the nature, severity and duration of the breach
the cause(s) of the breach
steps taken to mitigate the causes
the plan for remedying the breach (the Remedial Plan).

The Remedial Plan must explain how [Party B] will further investigate, mitigate and remedy the breach and provide evidence of mitigation and remediation. The Remedial Plan must also include the timescales by which the remediation will be completed. The Remedial Plan must be approved by [Party A]. Approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

[Party A] may also:

comment on the Remedial Plan
provide reasonable suggestions for investigating and remedying the reported breach
require that [Party B] remedies the reported breach within [a reasonable period of time].

[Party B] shall provide [Party A] with an updated Remedial Plan [every ● time period] calculated by reference to the date of the Breach Report.

Each updated Remedial Plan shall detail [Party B]’s progress in remedying the breach since the most recent Remedial Plan.

Impose climate-specific liquidated damages

Impose liquidated damages if the supplier fails to meet its contracted emissions-reduction target. Calculate the amount as the cost of buying high-quality carbon offsets to make up the difference between the supplier’s target and its actual emissions.

Example wording

[Party B] shall meet the contract emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●].

If [Party A acting reasonably or an independent auditor] determines that [Party B] has failed to meet [any of] the emissions-reduction targets in schedule [●]:

[Party B] will pay [Party A] a sum equal to the cost of buying High-quality Carbon Credits to offset the amount of emissions by which [Party B] missed the emissions-reduction target[s],
[Party A] shall use the sum to buy the High-quality Carbon Credits.

High-quality Carbon Credits means carbon credits bought from a project:

that has been verified by [insert name of voluntary standard] or the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change clean development mechanism [or successor UNFCCC mechanism]
where the emissions avoided, reduced or removed by the project are additional
that prioritises removing emissions from the atmosphere rather than avoiding or reducing third party emissions
that uses storage methods with a low risk of reversal over millennia for removing emissions
that takes account of a just transition and addresses wider social and environmental goals.

Example wording

[Party B] shall pay to [Party A] a sum equal to the cost of buying High-quality Carbon Credits to offset the amount of emissions by which [Party B] missed the emissions-reduction target(s).
[Party A] shall donate the sum to [insert climate adaptation and resilience fund].

Terminate for a greener alternative

Consider whether to include the right to terminate the contract in favour of a third party that can fulfil the contract with lower associated greenhouse gas emissions. This incentivises suppliers to continuously improve their performance on climate to retain the contract with the organisation.

Termination in favour of a third party

Example wording

[Party A] may serve written notice on [Party B] (the Green Improvement Notice) that it has identified a third party who can provide [the goods or services] with reduced associated greenhouse gas emissions when compared to [Party B] (the Green Improvement)[, along with details of such reduced associated greenhouse gas emissions].

Within [●] days of being served with the Green Improvement Notice, [Party B] shall notify [Party A] if it can match or exceed the Green Improvement.

If [Party B] can demonstrate to [Party A]’s reasonable satisfaction that it can match or exceed the Green Improvement, the parties shall use all reasonable endeavours acting in good faith to agree the amended terms on which [Party B] shall provide the [goods or services] incorporating the Green Improvement or greater. The amended terms to include the price payable by [Party A] where relevant.

[Party A] may terminate this agreement by giving [Party B] at least [● months’] notice, if [Party B]:

fails to respond to the Green Improvement Notice
is unable to demonstrate to [Party A]’s reasonable satisfaction that it can match the Green Improvement.

Include climate-related grounds for terminating the contract alongside standard grounds for termination.

Example wording

[Party A] may terminate this agreement with immediate effect if [Party B] commits a [[material or persistent breach] OR [insert definition of what qualifies as a material breach if already included in the relevant contract]] of any of its climate obligations under this agreement and, if such breach can be remedied, fails to remedy that breach within [●] days after being notified [in writing] to do so.

[Party A] may terminate this agreement by giving [●] months’ written notice to [Party B] if:

[Party A] decides to switch to an alternative [supplier or third party] to reduce its scope 1 and 2 [and 3] emissions in accordance with clause [●]
[Party B]’s environmental practices, negative environmental impacts, lobbying activities, partnerships, trade associations or public policy positions is considered to bring [Party A]’s reputation into disrepute or conflict with [Party A]’s emissions-reduction targets
[Party B] fails within [●] days to respond fully to a request for information made by [Party A] to assess [Party B]’s scope 1 and 2 [and 3] emissions, environmental practices and policies that relate to [the activities] under this agreement.

Conditions precedent

Conditions precedent are most useful where the organisation can exercise non-contractual power over a supplier. For example, the organisation might withhold the award of a call-off contract under a framework, or refuse to grant preferred-supplier status until climate pre-conditions are met.

This approach:

incentivises suppliers to set and meet climate goals and contractual climate obligations that meet or exceed the organisation’s scope 3 emissions targets
penalises suppliers who do not perform by withholding a future but discretionary benefit. For example, future contracts under the framework agreement.

Awarding contracts under a framework agreement

Sometimes organisations have discretion under a framework agreement to award suppliers non-tendered call-off contracts or contracts for mini-tenders. If so, use the discretion to award contracts to suppliers who:

have climate goals, such as a net zero target and transition plan
are meeting their climate obligations in existing contracts with the organisation.

Special supplier status

Where suppliers hold special status (for example, if they are a preferred supplier):

make this status conditional on the supplier achieving and maintaining agreed climate goals
create a mechanism for removing this status if the supplier fails to maintain them.

This approach incentivises suppliers to protect their special status by meeting contractually agreed climate goals and obligations.

Provide a route back to special status. If a supplier loses their special status, the organisation should maintain the relationship with the supplier while both parties work collaboratively to help the supplier regain special status.