Lasse Borris Sørensen, Sustainable Agile Coach at Plan A, and Ann Rosenberg, Senior Vice President for Sustainability Solutions at Wood, visited 7N to explain why sustainability in projects is something we need to address. We had a talk with Lasse to understand why it is such a relevant topic.
What can you expect to learn from this article?
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The element of impact as a guiding principle of project management.
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How value is increasingly measured from a sustainability agenda.
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The value it can provide a developer to work with a sustainability agenda from a stakeholder's point of view.
Waste separation, public transport, and recycling are sustainable initiatives that many of us have incorporated into our everyday lives. According to Lasse Borris Sørensen, this is a positive trend, but we need to do more - also in our professional lives.
Sustainability is moving up the collective agenda, and companies must rethink their approach
The EU and other stakeholders have expectations and demands for modern companies to have strategic environmental ambitions, and there can be significant consequences if these are not taken seriously.
Management understood this long ago, and it does not take long to change a company's written ambitions and PowerPoint slides. What does take a long time is getting the engine room to follow suit - and that is where the project manager, especially, enters the picture, Lasse says.
What is sustainability in project delivery?
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Sustainability in project delivery
Sustainability in project delivery is about more than just completing tasks; it's about doing so in a way that minimizes environmental impact, benefits communities, and maximizes economic value. The approach integrates eco-friendly practices, community engagement, and cost-effective strategies to ensure projects contribute to a sustainable future.
In essence, sustainability in project delivery requires a holistic approach to ensure that projects contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
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Environmental considerations
Minimizing the use of resources such as water, energy, and materials, and reducing waste and pollution during project implementation. This involves using renewable energy sources, implementing eco-friendly construction practices, or adopting green procurement strategies.
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Social considerations
Ensuring that project activities benefit local communities and stakeholders, promote social equity, and respect human rights. This involves engaging with local communities, providing job opportunities and training, and promoting diversity and inclusion in project teams.
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Economic considerations
Maximizing the economic benefits of projects while minimizing costs and risks. This involves conducting cost-benefit analyses to assess the financial viability of projects, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements, and promoting sustainable business practices.
Impact needs to be considered when working on projects
Traditionally, time and budget have been the guiding principles in project management, but soon, this will not be enough. We also need to think about impact - how can we, after the project is finished, create what really is valuable for the sustainability agenda?
Not only by the company but also by the planet regarding equality, peace, prosperity, and cooperation. Much complexity is involved, and according to Lasse, it is really about broadening our perspective to take advantage of all our opportunities. Among other things, we need to take advantage of the projects we are working on.
IT is becoming increasingly prevalent in businesses, regardless of department - and it also applies in sustainability, where data is essential. Without data, we can’t see our current climate footprint, whether we have improved or worsened it or set targets for where we want to go.
It is fundamental to have an IT framework in which you can report and measure your company's sustainability - whether it is within gender equality, carbon emissions, wastewater, or something entirely else.
Providing data on sustainability is a commodity that has not been around for long but whose relevance only increases as time moves on.
Equip yourself with desired knowledge
But why should I get involved in sustainability?
You may ask. According to Lasse, there are several good reasons why. Legislation, attracting labor, business opportunities, and relevance in a brand-new sustainability market are incentives that make companies put sustainability high on their agenda. Incorporating sustainability into your business can, thereby, make your company's profile more relevant to potential customers, clients, and new talent.
As a consultant, knowing the opportunities and challenges in these areas also makes you more attractive to potential clients. To deliver concrete results at a project level, consultants must look at what impact best matches the client's strategy and choose focus areas that will trickle down throughout the project.
Reach out to explore how 7N can help you learn more and incorporate sustainability into your projects.
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