CO2 Performance Ladder Guidance

The CIF Contracting Team has prepared a detailed guidance note on the Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) use of the CO₂ Performance Ladder, now available on the Contracting Resource Hub and the ESG landing page.

The CO₂ Performance Ladder is a Green Public Procurement tool that, where appropriate, TII will use in Call-Off competitions under the 2024 Signs Programme Framework. Originally developed in the Netherlands and now widely adopted across Europe, the Ladder serves as both a carbon management system and a procurement incentive mechanism. Evidence from CE Delft and Utrecht University shows that organisations certified under the Ladder reduce emissions at twice the average rate, embedding structured energy management and carbon reduction into core business strategy.

Three progressive steps

Under Handbook 4.0 (published January 2025), the framework is structured around three progressive steps:

• Step 1 – Internal emissions (Scopes 1 and 2);
• Step 2 – Supply chain engagement (Scope 3);
• Step 3 – Long-term climate leadership aligned with net-zero by 2050.

Certification is independently verified and maintained annually. Tenderers who commit to achieving a specified level may receive a fictitious tender discount (potentially up to 10% for evaluation purposes), while failure to achieve or maintain certification may result in financial penalties. Participation is not mandatory; however, higher ambition levels may confer a competitive advantage.

TII is encouraging contractors to adopt Handbook 4.0 directly during the transition period (2025–2028), rather than certifying under the outgoing 3.1 version. The CIF guidance note outlines the practical procurement implications, transition timelines, and strategic considerations for members considering engagement with the CO₂ Performance Ladder.