Including sustainability is a core value for many organisations and many of them are choosing to adopt environmentally conscious strategies. They are acting now in an effort to reduce the environmental footprint of their company, drive long-term benefits and also address the growing requirements of increasingly socially responsible consumers.
When it comes to project management, integrating sustainable practices is as important as in other areas of a business. This importance was recognised by the Association for Project Management in September 2024 when it introduced sustainability into the APM PMQ syllabus.
Sustainable practices not only benefit the environment but can also help improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and enhance the reputation of an organisation. The big question is what green practices and strategies can be implemented by a project manager to ensure better outcomes?
What is sustainable project management?
In terms of project management, the term sustainable is used to refer to the application of any green practices throughout the duration of the project. These are practices aimed at reducing any negative environmental, social and economic impacts that might occur. This is also known to as the “triple bottom line”: people, profit and the planet. It involves looking at the bigger picture and factoring in these issues when planning and delivering a project. It is a question of focusing not just on the delivery of a successful project but also making sure that any processes and outcomes of the project align with any sustainability goals.
There are three key areas where sustainability can be built into your project:
- Environmental, which involves reducing waste, minimising pollution and conserving resources.
- Social, including ensuring ethical practices, the involvement of the community, and human rights considerations.
- Economic, including putting cost-effective practices in place that ensure long-term financial health that will support sustainability.
Sustainability in project management
We are all now much more aware of environmental issues and climate change so project managers are expected to make sustainability an integral part of their projects.
When we think about our projects, especially in the built environment, we’re often putting things into the world that will be there for decades, if not longer. Project teams and the organisations delivering these projects have a responsibility to genuinely incorporate sustainability into the project environment.
Lisa Regan, Senior Trainer at Parallel Project Training
There are some major benefits from integrating sustainability into your projects, including:
- Mitigating and reducing any environmental risks for public perception
- Making cost-savings by using sustainable practices, for example energy efficiency and waste reduction
- Being compliant with stricter environmental regulations
- Enhancing your reputation by attracting customers, investors and also employees who value corporate responsibility
Green project management practices
When it comes to sustainable or green project management, it may mean rethinking traditional project processes in order to integrate green practices into every stage of the lifecycle of your project. These are a number of different strategies that you can use to help you achieve this.
Resource management
Managing your resources efficiently is an essential part of sustainable project management. This means making sure that natural resources; energy, water and raw materials, are used responsibly, and with minimal waste.
Green procurement
Green procurement is the process of sourcing goods and services in such a way that environmental impact is reduced. Project managers should prioritise purchasing products that are sourced sustainably, are energy-efficient, or are made from recycled materials. It is a good idea to look for suppliers who follow environmental standards, for example reducing emissions, using materials that are sustainable, or who are committed to fair labour practices.
Green procurement also involves taking a look at the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw material extraction to production, use of the product and its disposal. Products which have a longer life expectancy, fewer pollutants, or are more easily recycled are ideal choices for sustainable projects.
Sustainable project design
Sustainability must integrate into the initial planning phase of any project if you want to ensure that the project itself is as sustainable as possible. It is important to plan all projects with green principles in mind to ensure that goals for sustainability are met right from the start.
In construction projects, for example, eco-friendly designs like green buildings where energy-efficient systems are incorporated, where there is natural ventilation, and where sustainable building materials are used can significantly reduce environmental impacts.
When it comes to product development projects, it is important to integrate sustainability into the design of products to ensure that they are energy-efficient, recyclable, or even made from sustainable materials.
Stakeholder engagement
Sustainability needs to be a collaborative effort that involves the collective input of all stakeholders. Effective communication with all of your stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, and the full project team, is vital if you want to reach all of your sustainability goals.
Stakeholders must be involved from the very beginning of the process if they are to understand sustainability expectations. When you collaborate with all of your stakeholders on green objectives, everyone involved in the project is not only aligned but also invested in the success of the project.
Green issues to consider during your project
There are a great many green issues facing businesses, and not all of them will be possible to factor in to every project. However, there are some that can easily be integrated into any project that you undertake.
Ethical concerns
This might be having a conflict of interest, not following regulations, being culturally insensitive, and even failing to prioritise the interests of your stakeholders to name just a few concerns.
Carbon offsetting vs reducing carbon footprint
Carbon offsetting involves compensating for your carbon emissions so can involve, for instance, planting trees in the community or changing your own behaviour to make fewer emissions. Reducing your carbon footprint is done by actively changing the way in which you do business and choosing partners who are committed to doing their bit for the environment.
