Simple tips to integrate sustainability into projects

As project professionals, we are constantly juggling a variety of topics – budgets, timelines, risks, stakeholders… the list goes on. Adding sustainability challenges into the mix can feel overwhelming, at the very least.

But, although introducing sustainability concepts into projects adds another layer of complexity, it also provides an invaluable new perspective.

Adding sustainability into our projects isn’t simply thinking about electric vehicles and solar panels (although granted these are great), it’s about redefining how we define project success. It’s about the shift from managing projects complying with requirements to generating economic, environmental and social value with long-term implications.

In our ever-changing world, where climate change, social equity and economic uncertainty are daily headlines, ignoring the challenges of sustainability is no longer possible. With new expectations from stakeholders, organisations are actively incorporating environmental and socially responsible practices into their businesses. It’s no surprise that sustainable project management has become a discipline of increasing interest.

Sustainability in project management is the planning, monitoring and controlling of project delivery and support processes, with consideration of the triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) along the entire project life-cycle.

Sustainability along the entire project life-cycle:

Project professionals should integrate sustainability principles throughout the project phases: concept, planning, development and control, and hand-over and closure. Here are some simple tips (by project phase) to do so effectively.

Concept phase:

Include Triple Bottom Line (people, planet, profit) in project objectives and requirements in alignment to the organisation’s sustainability strategy.
Understand why sustainability is important to the project, project sponsor and organisation.
Engage stakeholders, especially affected communities and environmental advocates, to understand broader needs and risks.

Planning phase:

Integrate sustainability principles into methodology and tools.
Integrate sustainability criteria into scope and success metrics—e.g., energy efficiency targets, inclusivity goals.
Plan for sustainable procurement: select suppliers based on environmental and ethical standards.
Perform life-cycle costing rather than just initial costs, considering maintenance, operation, and end-of-life impact.
Identify sustainability risks and opportunities and incorporate them into the project risk register.

Development and control:

Monitor and control sustainability performance alongside cost, time and quality—use KPIs like carbon footprint, water use, raw material usage, local job generation, etc.
Conduct regular sustainability audits and adjust the plan if deviations are found.
Promote sustainable behavior and culture among the project team and contractors, look at ways to lead by example.

Hand-over and closure:

Validate that the intended sustainability benefits (e.g., reduced emissions, community impact) are measurable and achieved.
Consider the residual sustainability risks or opportunities that need to be mitigated or addressed in future projects
Document and share lessons learned regarding sustainability challenges and innovations.
Celebrate and communicate sustainability achievements to inspire future projects and stakeholders.

This list of simple tips can give project professionals a head-start to integrate sustainability more effectively into their projects. Whether they are managing small IT projects or long-term infrastructure programs, these tips can help tackle sustainability challenges from the get-go.

The good news is that sustainable project management doesn’t have to be an exact science, it’s about being intentional – about asking different questions, involving the right people and making smarter choices considering short- and long-term implications.

Everyone has a role to play in the climate crisis. The role we as project professionals can (and should) play is clear. Because projects aren’t just how we get work done – they’re how we shape the future.