UK nature-based carbon removal credits

Description

The Met Office undertook an initial Preliminary Market Engagement exercise in May 2026 to understand market capability and potential approaches to the supply of verified UK nature-based carbon credits. All clarification questions raised during the previous PME, together with the responses provided, are included at Annex A for information. Please note: The requirement has changed to verified UK nature-based carbon removal credits only; therefore, some previous PME responses may no longer apply. Since that engagement, the proposed procurement approach and requirement have developed. The Met Office is now considering the purchase of approximately £500,000 of verified UK nature-based carbon credits during FY 2026/27, with the credits intended to be retired in FY 2030/31. A small proportion of the credits may be retired earlier to offset business travel incurred in customer funded programmes. As the tender documentation has developed, a number of additional questions have been identified where further market insight would be beneficial. The Met Office therefore intends to undertake a further period of Preliminary Market Engagement to inform the market of the revised approach, provide an update on anticipated procurement timelines, seek feedback on the additional questions arising from the development of the tender documentation, confirm our understanding of the terminology, and assess current market interest and capability to participate in the opportunity. The engagement will be used to support the continued development and assessment of the Met Office's proposed approach, including the potential procurement strategy and associated documentation. Feedback received through the engagement will help inform the Met Office's consideration of the available options and whether and how to proceed with any future procurement opportunity. Participation in this engagement does not represent a commitment by the Met Office to undertake a subsequent procurement exercise, nor provide any process exemptions or preferential treatment to any parties expressing an interest. The Met Office will not be liable for costs incurred by any interested party in participating in this exercise. This exercise does not commit the Met Office to a procurement and does not guarantee that a future procurement will take place.