How to Calculate Carbon Emissions for a Small Business Tender

If you're a small business responding to a Request for Tender (RFT), you've likely hit a question asking for your "Environmental Policy" or "Carbon Footprint".

For many tradies, contractors, and SMEs, this is a stumbling block. You don't have a sustainability department. You just want to do the job.

Why are they asking?

Large organizations (like Tier 1 builders, councils, and government departments) have their own Net Zero targets. To hit them, they need to track the emissions of their supply chain—that means you.

They don't expect you to be carbon neutral today. They just need to know you are measuring and aware of your impact.

What numbers do you need?

Typically, they care about two numbers:

• Scope 1: Fuel you verify directly (e.g., diesel in your ute, gas in your workshop).
• Scope 2: Electricity you buy from the grid.

How to provide the evidence

You can hire a consultant for $2,000+, or you can use a verified calculator like the Carbon Data Registry.

1. Gather your fuel receipts and electricity bills for the last 12 months (or even just an estimate).
2. Enter the totals into our calculator.
3. We apply the official NGA 2026 Factors automatically.
4. Download your Verified Certificate.

Attach this PDF to your tender response. It shows you follow national standards and take compliance seriously—giving you an edge over competitors who leave that section blank.