Sustainable Public Procurement: German Version of the CO₂ Performance Ladder 4.0 is Launched In early 2025, the Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business (SKAO) released the international version of the CO₂ Performance Ladder 4.0, an upgraded practical tool to accelerate decarbonisation and support sustainable transformation through procurement. In summer 2025, SKAO and the CSCP launched the German version of the CO₂PL 4.0 tool, allowing procuring authorities to increase efficiency, simplify application, and improve the Ladder’s alignment with international climate goals and reporting requirements. The new version of the tool is specifically designed for public authorities and organisations that use procurement as a strategic instrument to reduce carbon emissions and drive climate action. What changes with version 4.0? The main change is on the structure: the previous five levels of requirements have been reduced to three. This new classification simplifies the assignment of levels and enables contracting authorities to integrate them more easily and clearly into tender documents. Level 1 focuses on reducing CO₂ emissions within the organisation (Scope 1 and 2), for example through measures related to energy consumption, vehicle fleets, or buildings. Level 2 additionally includes emissions along the supply chain (Scope 3) and other influenceable emissions outside the value chain. Level 3 requires the development of a comprehensive climate transition plan with the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, including interim targets and concrete implementation measures. Why was the Ladder revised? Version 4.0 was developed through close collaboration with companies, contracting authorities and other stakeholders. The goal was clear: to make the Ladder more impactful and internationally applicable. The revision focuses on alignment with the Paris Agreement, a stronger focus on areas where organisations have real influence, greater visibility for ambitious frontrunners, and at the same time, maintaining a low entry threshold. Further priorities include a stronger emphasis on energy efficiency, alignment with international standards, improved readability, and greater transparency regarding the responsibilities of certified organisations. We’re here to support you! As the national coordinators for Germany, we actively support contracting authorities and companies during the transition to Version 4.0. All relevant documents, transitional regulations, overviews, and materials are available on the SKAO website. If you have questions about implementation, procurement, or certification, feel free to contact us at co2pl@cscp.org For additional questions on the CO2 Performance Ladder in the German context, please reach out to Mike Tabel.