CO₂PL PortugalDecarbonization through sustainable public procurement
Integrate verifiable climate criteria into public procurement procedures through the CO₂ Performance Ladder.
Aliados has been designated by SKAO as the entity responsible for implementing and disseminating the CO₂ Performance Ladder in Portugal.
What is the CO₂ Performance Ladder
The CO₂PL is a management system for energy and carbon, also used as a tool for sustainable public procurement, allowing organisations to demonstrate performance and climate ambition verifiably.
How it works
- Quantify and monitor emissions and energy consumption in operations, projects and value chain
- Set targets and implement reduction measures with continuous improvement
- Demonstrate results and commitments with independent verification, when applicable
- Support procuring entities in integrating clear and auditable climate criteria in the procedure documents
How it works in practice
Goal definition
Procuring entities define the objective and decide its applicability to the contract or project.
Integration in procedure documents
The criterion and evidence rules are included in the procedure documents, including deadlines and penalties.
Proposal submission
Bidders indicate their level of ambition and the way to demonstrate it.
Verification in execution
During execution, the awardee verifies compliance periodically, according to the contractual terms.
Public procurement as a decarbonisation engine
Portugal has set carbon neutrality targets by 2050. Public procurement, due to its scale and market effect, constitutes a lever to incorporate climate criteria in procurement and contractual execution.
The introduction of the CO₂PL in Portugal aligns with national policies on sustainable public procurement, supporting a structured and verifiable application of climate criteria.
What enables operationalisation
For procuring entities
- Clear methodology to define and evaluate verifiable climate criteria
- Comparability and transparency in presented evidence
- Incentive for supply chain emission reductions (indirect emissions)
- Performance monitoring during contractual execution, when specified
For suppliers
- Management structure to measure, reduce and report emissions auditably
- Energy efficiency improvement and cost reduction
- Recognition in procedures that include climate criteria
- European recognition and performance comparability
Entity responsible for the CO₂PL in Portugal
Aliados was designated by SKAO (Foundation for Climate Friendly Procurement and Business) as the entity responsible for coordinating the CO₂PL in Portugal.
Introduction and dissemination
Outreach to public and private entities, promoting informed adoption of the tool.
National framework
Support for aligning the application with national legal and programmatic frameworks, including the Public Contracts Code and relevant guidelines.
Training
Training of public procurement teams, auditors and consultants through official programmes.
European articulation
Connection to the European network, promoting methodological coherence and sharing of best practices.
Implementation support
Support in integrating the ladder into procedures and the certification/evidence journey, when applicable.
CO₂PL START Training
Aliados has developed the CO₂PL START training, an official training programme aimed at public procurement teams, leaders and technicians of organisations wishing to integrate climate criteria in procurement procedures.
What the training includes
- Fundamentals of the CO₂PL and certification/evidence methodology
- Integration of climate criteria in procedure documents (procurement programme and specifications), when applicable
- Alignment with national sustainable procurement policies (including ECO360)
- European case studies and best practices
- Tools and examples to operationalise criteria, evidence and execution monitoring
Editions held
1st Edition CO₂PL START
2nd Edition CO₂PL START
2026: consolidation and expansion
The work developed in 2024 and 2025, introduction of the tool, initial training and institutional articulation, represents only the beginning.
In 2026, Aliados will:
- Expand the CO₂PL START training programme to more public entities
- Support the first pilot processes of CO₂PL integration in public tenders
- Develop technical resources adapted to the Portuguese context
- Strengthen articulation with eSPap and other central administration entities
- Facilitate supplier access to CO₂PL certification
Want to know more?
Get in touch!
The Aliados team is available to clarify doubts about the CO₂PL, discuss training opportunities or support integration of the tool in public procurement processes.
Interested in integrating climate criteria in procurement or participating in CO₂PL START training.
Interested in valuation through verifiable carbon management evidence in public procedures.
Auditors, consultants or entities wishing to collaborate on CO₂PL dissemination.
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