APM event hosted by the South Wales and West of England Branch on 31 January 2024. Speaker: Will Masters Sustainability is fast becoming a core requirement in the solutions demanded clients in all sectors. But understanding what that means in real terms can be challenging. This event was held on 31 January 2024 in Bristol. This session outlineD the importance of delivering sustainable solutions and clearly demonstrate how sustainability and climate response are integral to every role. Specifically, this focussed on how the key functions of project management can be viewed through a sustainability lens to enable positive outcomes and benefits in sustainability. Starting with an overview of what climate change means in practicality and the impacts caused by rising temperatures and extreme weather, the session then highlighted key challenges that need to be addressed: Sustainable Infrastructure Decarbonisation Energy Transition Climate Risk Nature Positive Social Value Next is a look at what that means to Project Managers and the project profession, focusing on key areas of responsibility: Scope, Schedule, Finance, Quality, Risk, Resources, Materials and the all-important Culture. Each area has specific elements of sustainability that can be applied and these will be discussed to offer practical ways that Project Managers can become key stakeholders for the delivery of sustainability and their associated requirements.

1. Sustainability in
Project Management
APM South Wales and
West of England Branch
January 2024
Will Masters – Sales Leadership for Sustainability
Can you reach net zero by 2050?
• See if you can save the planet from the worst effects
of climate change
• Global temperatures have already risen by 1.2°C
compared with the pre-industrial average. You have
three rounds, covering the years from 2022 to 2050,
to use your sweeping global powers to cut emissions
to zero and keep temperatures below 1.5°C
• The game is based on published scientific research
and bespoke modelling by the International Energy
Agency for the Financial Times
https://ig.ft.com/climate-game/

2. 2
The content of this publication has not been approved by the
United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United
Nations or its officials or Member States
https://sdgs.un.org/goals

3. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-
climate/climate-change-global-temperature

4. Climate
Change
Food availability &
prices
Heat
Housing availability
Supply chain disruption
Solv
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Impact on local tax bases
Emergency service capacity
Wellb
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Refugee crisis
Disaster
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f
Disrupti
o
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Transportation syste
m
s
Crop loss
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Inhabitable land
Ability to work
Utilities
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5. Decarbonisation
Resilience
Culture evolution
Environmental & social value creation
Materials, waste & circular economy
What does
sustainability
mean?

6. Environmental Impact:
− assess and minimise impact of the project throughout its lifecycle.
− evaluate the use of natural resources, energy consumption, waste generation, and
emissions.
− incorporate sustainable practices such as using renewable materials, minimizing
waste, reducing energy consumption, and implementing efficient transportation
and logistics strategies.
Social Responsibility:
− consider the social aspects such as promoting fair labour practices, ensuring worker
safety, and respecting human rights throughout the supply chain.
− engage with stakeholders and local communities to understand their needs,
concerns, and aspirations.
− consider the social benefits such as providing employment opportunities,
supporting local economies, and improving community infrastructure.
Long-term Viability:
− consider the project's long-term viability by assessing its economic feasibility,
resilience, and adaptability.
− incorporate life cycle costing to evaluate the economic implications of the project
beyond the initial investment.
− assess resilience to climate change, natural disasters, and other potential risks, and
incorporate appropriate durability and adaptability measures.
Scope
How does this relate to us?

7. Stakeholder Engagement:
− engage stakeholders, including suppliers, contractors, and local communities in the
planning and decision-making process to gain insights and perspectives
− encourage collaboration and open communication to address sustainability concerns
and identify opportunities for improvement.
− foster a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, leading to better project
scheduling decisions aligned with sustainability goals.
Resilience and Adaptability:
− consider the resilience and adaptability of timeline, ensuring the project remains on
track while minimizing adverse environmental and social impacts.
− anticipate potential disruptions and uncertainties, such as extreme weather events
or regulatory changes related to sustainability.
− incorporate contingency plans and build flexibility into the schedule to accommodate
unforeseen challenges.
Resource Efficiency:
− optimise resource utilisation to minimize waste and promote sustainability.
− plan and schedule activities to reduce unnecessary consumption of materials,
energy, and other resources.
− implement lean construction principles, such as just-in-time delivery and efficient
resource allocation, to minimise waste and improve efficiency.
Schedule

8. Cost-Benefit Analysis:
− conduct cost-benefit analysis that incorporates sustainability considerations.
− evaluate financial implications of sustainable practices and technologies in terms of
upfront costs, operational savings, and potential long-term benefits.
− CAPEX for sustainable initiatives may be higher but can have significant savings over
the project's lifecycle through energy efficiency, less waste etc.
− incorporate environmental and social impacts into financial assessments to capture
the full value of sustainable investments.
Funding Sources and Incentives:
− explore funding sources and financial incentives that promote sustainability, e.g.
government grants, subsidies, and tax breaks for using renewable energy
− investigate opportunities for public-private partnerships and collaborations to access
additional funding or expertise.
Risk Management:
− consider sustainability-related financial risks and incorporate risk management
strategies into project finance planning.
− identify potential risks such as regulatory changes, market fluctuations, and
reputational impacts related to sustainability.
− assess the financial implications of these risks and develop mitigation, including
diversifying funding sources, securing long-term contracts, and incorporating
insurance coverage for sustainability-related risks.
Finance

9. Standards and Certifications:
− incorporate sustainability standards and certifications into the project's quality
management system.
− identify relevant sustainability frameworks and guidelines, such as ISO 14001 for
environmental management or LEED/DREAM/BREAM for green buildings.
− integrate these standards into project specifications and requirements, ensuring that
sustainability considerations are embedded in the quality criteria.
Performance Metrics and Monitoring:
− establish performance metrics and monitoring systems to track sustainability-related
quality indicators throughout the project lifecycle.
− develop KPIs specific to sustainability, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, or
social impact metrics.
− implement monitoring mechanisms to measure and analyse performance, enabling
identification of issues and the implementation of corrective actions.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
− promote “Total Value” to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
in sustainable practices.
− encourage project team members to propose innovative solutions and technologies
that enhance sustainability and quality simultaneously.
− establish feedback loops and LFE processes to capture and disseminate knowledge
from previous projects and industry best practices.
Quality

10. Environmental and Social Risks:
− identify and assess environmental and social risks, including potential impacts on
ecosystems, biodiversity, air and water quality, as well as social aspects such as
human rights, community displacement, and labour issues.
− conduct environmental impact assessments and social impact assessments to
understand potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate/minimise them.
Climate Change Resilience:
− incorporate climate change considerations into the project's risk management
strategy.
− assess vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as extreme weather events, sea-
level rise, and changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.
− integrate climate adaptation measures into the project design and implementation,
considering factors like infrastructure resilience, water management, and energy
efficiency.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:
− engage relevant stakeholders and communicate effectively regarding sustainability-
related risks and involve them in the decision-making processes and develop
appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
− transparently communicate sustainability commitments, risk management plans, and
progress to foster trust and gain support from stakeholders.
− effective engagement and communication can help identify risks that may have been
overlooked and build consensus around risk mitigation measures.
Risk

11. Workforce Well-being:
− prioritize the well-being and safety of project personnel, ensuring compliance with
occupational health and safety regulations.
− promote work-life balance by implementing policies that support reasonable working
hours, flexibility, and minimise overtime.
− encourage employee engagement and participation in decision-making processes to
foster a positive work culture.
Diversity and Inclusion:
− embrace diversity and foster an inclusive work environment. Ensure equal
opportunities for all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, or backgrounds.
− promote diversity in hiring and team composition to foster innovation and creativity.
− create an inclusive culture that respects and values different perspectives and
experiences.
Skills Development and Training:
− invest in skills development and training programs for project personnel.
− provide opportunities for employees to acquire new skills and knowledge related to
sustainability practices, such as energy efficiency, waste management, or sustainable
construction techniques.
− encourage continuous learning and professional development to enhance the
capacity of personnel to contribute to sustainable project outcomes.
Resources

12. Resource Efficiency:
− promote resource efficiency throughout the project's lifecycle, including optimising
material use, energy, and water
− adopt strategies for recycling, reusing materials, and implementing energy-efficient
technologies.
− plan resource allocation carefully to avoid overconsumption and ensure resources
are used effectively.
Supply Chain Management:
− assess and manage sustainability risks and opportunities within the project's supply
chain.
− engage with suppliers to ensure they adhere to sustainable practices, such as ethical
sourcing, fair trade, and responsible manufacturing processes.
− consider factors like carbon emissions, waste management, and social responsibility
when selecting suppliers and subcontractors.
− foster transparency and accountability by implementing supply chain monitoring and
evaluation mechanisms.
Life Cycle Assessment:
− conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of
project resources from extraction or manufacturing to disposal or reuse.
− consider the full life cycle of materials, equipment, and infrastructure used in the
project, and identify opportunities to minimise environmental impacts at each stage,
such as selecting materials.
Materials

13. Leadership Commitment:
− sustainability should be championed by top-level leadership within the organization.
Executives and managers need to demonstrate a strong commitment to
sustainability and set the tone for the rest of the organization. Their actions and
decisions should align with sustainability principles, serving as a role model for others
to follow.
Employee Engagement and Empowerment:
− engage and empower employees to be active participants in the organisation's
sustainability efforts.
− foster a culture of sustainability by involving employees in sustainability initiatives,
seeking their input and ideas, and recognising their contributions.
− provide opportunities for training and development in sustainability-related topics to
enhance employee knowledge and skills.
− encourage cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing to promote
innovation and collective action.
Supplier and Partner Engagement:
− extend sustainability considerations beyond the organisation by engaging suppliers,
contractors, and business partners in sustainable practices.
− establish sustainability criteria for supplier selection and contract requirements.
− collaborate with partners to find innovative ways to improve sustainability
performance across the value chain.
Culture

14. Climate Conversations
In your client-facing role it is important to drive
client conversations about climate change and
decarbonisation. What is really motivating
your client to act, where are they on their
journey, and how mature is their thinking? We
want to make sure we are influencing and
advising them as a partner in their
understanding of risk and value, their strategy
and priorities for action; connecting them to
best practice.
• Understanding motivators and challenges
• Influencing our clients and their strategy
• Broader consideration and definition of
value
• Joining up strategy and investment
priorities
Sustainability & Resilience Planning
Consider sustainability and climate response
early in discussions. Understand the material
relevance of sustainability and climate change
to the organisation, project or services. Define
purpose, potential, outcomes and legacy,
therefore shaping value propositions through a
sustainability lens. Think about alignment to
other key outcomes such as cost programme,
capacity and performance. Using this to focus
innovative approaches and solutions.
Develop Climate Opportunities
Work with Subject Matter Experts to scope and
develop specific services and solutions to
address your clients’ climate response
challenges. Understand key solutions and
services applied in the sector and promote
their benefits and outcomes. Consider strategy
and routemaps, decision support,
management systems, procurement and
assurance process, new technologies to enable
delivery and transformation.
• Materiality assessment
• Business case to purpose case (value
proposition)
• Intended / unintended consequences
• Targeting specifications & innovative
approaches
• Ambition vs operationalisation
• Visibility of carbon (and data solutions)
• Applying consistent standards (e.g.
PAS2080)
• End to end policy, project and contract
interventions

15. How to achieve success through culture

16. Educate
• Educate yourself and others
• Learn from diverse sources and perspectives
Climate Change Awareness course
looks at what climate change is, the
evidence, and how you can help to
combat it. Relevant for everyone, it
takes ~20 mins and is CPD
Certified.

17. Empower
• Empower people and
communities to take action
• Provide knowledge, skills and
opportunities
• Include the next generations
through STEM
The Jacobs’ Butterfly Effect Program (Ages 5-11) Earn Your Wings: Take Flight with the Butterfly Effect
Program (Ages 11-18)

18. Innovate
• Consider new solutions and approaches
• Be holistic – reduce environmental impact,
enhance social value
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/this-is-a-
visualization-of-the-history-of-innovation-cycles/

19. Collaborate
• Early engagement with diverse stakeholders
• Build networks and partnerships
• Leverage the power of collective action
10 Key Behaviours for Successful
Collaborative Joint Working
https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2019/06/Guidance-Document-for-
PAS2080_vFinal.pdf
https://www.hpbmagazine.org/aviation-
support-battalion-hangar-ft-carson-colo/

20. Communicate
• Communicate effectively and
persuasively
• Engage and inspire using stories
and examples
• Listen to feedback and address
concerns
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/effective-
communication-sonali-kulkarni/
https://quotefancy.com/quote/9
60939/Terry-Pratchett-There-s-
always-a-story-It-s-all-stories-
really-The-sun-coming-up-every
https://www.businessmanagem
entdaily.com/69830/how-to-be-
proactive-at-work/

21. Stay positive! https://quotefancy.com/quote/1723931/Jeff-Blackman-
Passion-is-your-positive-attitude-in-a-world-of-negativity
https://www.sciencedirect.
com/science/article/pii/S2
542435117300120
https://unfccc.int/cop28
https://www.theguardian.com
/environment/2019/jan/25/ou
r-house-is-on-fire-greta-
thunberg16-urges-leaders-to-
act-on-climate
https://www.theguardi
an.com/tv-and-
radio/2023/mar/13/dav
id-attenborough-warns-
nature-is-in-crisis-but-
we-have-the-solutions

22. Educate
Empower
Innovate
Collaborate
Communicate
Stay positive!
https://www.reddit.com/r
/hopeposting/comments/
192ldlb/lets_make_the_w
orld_a_better_place_you_
can/?rdt=61769
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088
763/