Sustainability management approach

The sustainability management approach describes how a project will plan, manage, and control sustainability to ensure that agreed performance targets are achieved. It sets out the techniques, standards, responsibilities, and resources required to embed sustainability within project decision-making, delivery, and closure.

This approach ensures that:

• Environmental, social, and economic sustainability objectives are clearly defined and measurable.
• Sustainability considerations are integrated into project planning and day-to-day delivery.
• Performance against sustainability targets is monitored, reported, and reviewed.
• Any variances from organisational sustainability policies are justified and approved.

It covers areas such as:

• Sustainability planning
• Monitoring and measurement of targets
• Reporting and compliance with standards
• Roles and responsibilities for achieving sustainability outcomes

Life cycle

The sustainability management approach is applied throughout the project, aligning with PRINCE2’s processes:

1. Starting up a project (SU) – Minimal activity occurs here, apart from noting any likely sustainability requirements or organisational targets that the project should meet.
2. Initiating a project (IP) – The sustainability management approach is created and facilitated by the project manager. It defines the sustainability scope, measurement methods, and responsibilities for achieving the targets. The project manager will normally use a template from the programme or organisation (if available) to review and finalise the sustainability management approach.
3. Directing a project (DP) – The project board will approve and baseline the sustainability management approach as part of the project initiation documentation.
4. Controlling a stage (CS) – The project manager monitors the application of sustainability practices in day-to-day work. This includes tracking energy use, waste reduction, materials sourcing, and verifying that agreed measurement methods are being applied. Issues or risks affecting sustainability are escalated where necessary.
5. Managing product delivery (MP) – Team managers and suppliers deliver products in line with sustainability requirements. They ensure that agreed practices (e.g., low-carbon processes, recycling, sustainable materials) are followed and provide evidence of compliance to the project manager.
6. Managing a stage boundary (SB) – The project manager can review progress against sustainability targets at the end of each stage, and update the approach if necessary. The sustainability management approach may be updated if there are changes in targets, measurement criteria, responsibilities, or external sustainability standards.
7. Closing a project (CP) – The project manager uses the original sustainability management approach to confirm targets have been measured, results recorded, and lessons learned documented.
8. After the project – The business level (corporate, programme management, or operational teams) takes over responsibility for monitoring ongoing sustainability impacts, where applicable.

Contents

A sustainability management approach document will normally include:

• Scope: The sustainability targets to be managed and measured.
• Measurement: How, when, and from what baseline sustainability performance will be measured.
• Responsibilities: Who is accountable for measuring and reporting progress on sustainability targets.
• Resources: People, skills, and budget for sustainability activities (e.g., studies, assessments).
• Supporting tools and techniques: Systems, templates, or software for tracking sustainability metrics.
• Standards: Applicable organisational or industry sustainability standards.
• References: Links to related documents or corporate guidance.

Tips

The following tips help you improve your sustainability management approach:

• Engage early – Identify sustainability requirements during initiation and integrate them into design and procurement plans.
• Be clear on responsibilities – Assign ownership for measuring and reporting sustainability targets from the start.
• Set measurable targets – Use baselines and clear metrics to track sustainability performance.
• Leverage existing standards – Apply recognised sustainability frameworks to ensure credibility and compliance.
• Track performance – Monitor progress regularly, and take corrective actions if targets are at risk.
• Plan for closure – Ensure results are measured before project completion, and lessons are documented for future projects.
• Keep it live – Review and update the approach at stage boundaries to reflect changes in targets, standards, or organisational priorities.

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Written by Frank Turley.

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