08 May 2024 
Ashley Shelbrooke, HEPA and Project Specialist
An announcement has been made regarding eligibility criteria for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS); you can read the announcement here.
Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme defines the ‘public sector’ using the definition of a ‘public sector body’ or ‘public authority’ in the Procurement Act 2023, for the purposes of defining eligibility for the scheme. The announcement is made as the implementation of the Procurement Act approaches, and references the definitions contained within the Act, which defines a ‘public sector body’ more broadly across government.
DESNZ have confirmed that eligible public sector bodies for Phase 4 of the scheme will be those that meet the Procurement Act’s definition of a ‘public authority’ therefore it is important that potential applicants are aware of the new criteria. Potential applicants uncertain about their eligibility are encouraged to check whether they are classified as a ‘public authority’ by the Procurement Act 2023, or discuss eligibility with their procurement teams if they are uncertain.
The announcement states that "it is believed that only a small number of applicants from previous phases could be affected by the change" and that "these will be predominantly universities whose revenue comes mostly from private funding and international student fees".
