Navigating the path to sustainability and regeneration: Tools, barriers and incentives

It’s one thing to remind colleagues that sustainability and regeneration are imperative, quite another to do something about it. APM’s sustainability interest network seeks to do just that, but first we have to understand what the challenges are.

As professional project managers, leaders and sponsors, we are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future. This blog post explores why every project needs to incorporate sustainability and regeneration into its success criteria, the challenges we face in doing so, and the tools and incentives available to overcome these barriers.

The imperative of sustainability in project success criteria

Incorporating sustainability and regeneration into project success criteria is no longer optional — it's a necessity. There are several compelling reasons for this:

1. Long-term viability: Projects that prioritise sustainability are more likely to deliver long-term value and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
2. Regulatory compliance: With increasing environmental regulations, sustainable projects are better positioned to meet current and future legal requirements.
3. Stakeholder expectations: Investors, customers and employees increasingly expect organisations to demonstrate commitment to sustainability.
4. Risk mitigation: Sustainable projects are often more resilient to environmental, social and economic risks.
5. Competitive advantage: Organisations that lead in sustainability can differentiate themselves in the market and attract both customers and talent.

But how do we include sustainability and regeneration criteria in our projects?

Projects as interventions in complex systems

When we implement projects, we're not operating in isolation. Instead, we're intervening in complex systems with numerous interconnected elements. Complex systems are characterised by:

• Non-linearity: Small changes can have disproportionately large effects;
• Emergent properties: The system as a whole exhibits behaviours that can't be predicted by looking at individual components;
• Adaptability: The system can change in response to internal and external pressures; conversely, a system can adapt to resist real change;

Understanding this complexity is crucial because it highlights the potential for unintended consequences, both predictable and unpredictable. For example, a project aimed at improving urban transportation might inadvertently lead to increased gentrification, or a renewable energy initiative might disrupt local ecosystems.

To navigate this complexity, project managers need to adopt systems thinking and regularly assess the wider impacts of their projects beyond immediate goals.

Barriers to including sustainability and regeneration in project success criteria

Despite the clear benefits, several barriers often prevent organisations from fully integrating sustainability into their project success criteria:

1. Lack of clear sustainability metrics or KPIs: It can be challenging to quantify sustainability outcomes, especially when they occur over long time horizons.
2. Short-term financial pressures: The focus on immediate financial returns can overshadow longer-term sustainability considerations.
3. Insufficient knowledge or training: Many project managers lack specific training in sustainable practices and may struggle to implement them effectively.
4. Resistance to change: Organisational inertia and entrenched practices can make it difficult to introduce new sustainability-focused approaches.
5. Perceived cost: There's often a misconception that sustainable practices are inherently more expensive, despite evidence of medium- and long-term cost savings.

Overcoming barriers: The role of soft skills

While technical knowledge is crucial, overcoming these barriers often requires well-developed soft skills:

1. Communication: effectively articulating the benefits of sustainability to diverse stakeholders is key to gaining buy-in.
2. Leadership: championing sustainability initiatives and inspiring others to embrace change is essential for driving organisational shifts.
3. Systems thinking: understanding the interconnections between various project elements and their wider impacts helps in making more sustainable decisions.
4. Adaptability: being flexible and open to new approaches is crucial in the rapidly evolving field of sustainability.
5. Collaboration: working effectively across disciplines and departments is often necessary to implement comprehensive sustainability strategies.

Best Practices and Regulations: External Help and Incentives

In the UK, there are numerous incentives and regulatory frameworks that support the inclusion of sustainability in projects:

1. Financial incentives: the UK government offers various grants and tax incentives for sustainable projects, such as the Green Business Fund and Enhanced Capital Allowances for energy-efficient equipment.
2. Regulatory requirements: legislation like the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Environment Act 2021 set binding targets for emissions reductions and environmental protection, creating a strong regulatory driver for sustainable practices.
3. Reputational benefits: Schemes like the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) provide opportunities for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, enhancing their reputation with stakeholders.
4. Performance incentives: The integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria into investment decisions creates a strong incentive for businesses to prioritise sustainability in their projects.
5. Industry standards: Frameworks like BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) for sustainable buildings provide clear guidelines and benchmarks for sustainable project delivery.

Conclusion

As project professionals, we have a unique opportunity — and responsibility — to drive sustainable and regenerative practices through our work. By understanding the complexities of the systems we operate in, developing our soft skills and leveraging available incentives and best practices, we can overcome barriers and make sustainability a core component of project success.

The path to sustainability and regeneration is not always straightforward, but it’s undoubtedly necessary. By embracing this challenge, we not only contribute to a more sustainable future but also deliver more resilient, valuable and impactful projects.

 

You may also be interested in:

• The importance of sustainability and regeneration
• What is sustainability in project management?
• APM Sustainability Interest Network