Why is sustainability important in project management?

Find out about the important role project management can play in introducing sustainable practices. 

Climate change is a pressing global issue for governments, organisations and societies worldwide. As such, there’s been a far greater drive for sustainability and exploring ways individuals, governments and organisations can reduce their carbon footprint and mitigate environmental impacts in recent years. 

Like many industries and areas, project management has an important role to play in combatting climate change, and in embracing more sustainable practices. 

What is sustainability? 

In broad terms, sustainability refers to the ability to maintain a process continuously over time, while preventing the loss of natural resources such as habitats and ecosystems so they can be preserved over the long term. 

In 1987, the United Nations defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” 

The UN reports that, at present, almost 140 developing countries are looking for ways to meet their development needs, yet with the increasing urgent threat of climate change, efforts are needed to ensure today’s development doesn’t adversely affect future generations. 

Why do project managers need to consider sustainability? 

As the urgent threat posed by climate change and its adverse impacts on our ecosystems, environment and societies has become increasingly evident, the need for project managers to adopt more sustainable practices to help address this global issue is paramount. 

Sustainable practices don’t just have a positive impact on our environment – a 2020 World Happiness Report on sustainable development and human wellbeing also found a strong correlation between sustainable development and self-reported measures of human wellbeing.  

Among other international organisations, the European Environment Agency and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have also formally acknowledged the positive link between sustainability and human mental and physical health and wellbeing. 

Project managers, then, also need to consider sustainability and adopt more sustainable practices in their work – for the benefit of both our environment and ecosystems, and current and future generations. 

What is sustainable project management? 

Sustainable project management involves applying techniques, tools and methods that achieve project objectives, while effectively balancing them against environmental and social impacts. 

The aim of sustainable project management is to adopt an approach to business that meets the needs of stakeholders without compromising the environment or depleting natural resources for future generations. 

With climate change and its environmental and societal impacts posing urgent threats, sustainable project management has become more important than ever. That’s why sustainability has moved to the forefront of the field and become a key consideration for projects worldwide – from project ideation and planning right through to execution. 

How can an MSc in Project Management help you with sustainable project management? 

Recognising the importance of sustainability in project management, an MSc in Project Management covers specific modules on sustainable development principles and practices.  

With an MSc in Project Management, you’ll discover what is sustainable development vs. unsustainable development, including their causes and consequences. 

You’ll also learn about the frameworks that underpin the concept and application of sustainable development, and explore the relationship between human society and our natural environment, as well as the relationship between environmental sustainability and human health and wellbeing. 

An MSc in Project Management will help you master what it takes to embrace sustainability as a project manager, and to create a positive impact in the world for both current and future generations. 

If you want to learn more about sustainable project management, discover how Cambridge Education Group’s online MSc Project Management (validated by London South Bank University) can position you as a highly-skilled environmentally and socially-conscious project manager in today’s global job market: