The document discusses how project managers can influence sustainable development and net zero goals. It begins by outlining future trends driving sustainability and the need to reduce emissions in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement. It then proposes that project managers can help achieve net zero targets by selecting projects aligned with sustainability, influencing strategic project direction, and ensuring project delivery meets sustainability requirements. The document provides examples of how project managers can address sustainability in different sectors like waste, buildings, and transport. It concludes by encouraging project managers and their organizations to commit to sustainability through an online pledge.

1. COP26 is coming!
How Project Managers Influence
Sustainable Development
Rob Leslie-Carter
Director at Arup and #projectmanagersdeclare Steering Group
4 May 2021

2. Introduction, future trends and drivers
The project pathway to Net Zero
We need to talk about COP26
Today……

3. Introduction, future trends and drivers
The project pathway to Net Zero
We need to talk about COP26
Today……

4. quality of work
holistic approach - total design
humane organisation
straight and honourable dealings
social usefulness
reasonable prosperity
aims
satisfied members
satisfied clients
good reputation and influence
results
a diverse membership of quality
efficient organisation
solvency
unity and enthusiasm
means
Our core values

5. #FoPM

6. https://www.arup.com/perspectives/publications/research/section/future-of-project-management

7. update
#FoPM
Change
Momentum increases as
benefits spread
Self Perpetuate
Great ideas accelerate a
benefits accumulate, creating
lasting change
Catalyse
A good idea sparks a virtuous
cycle
harvest
global
ideas
make
#FoPM
accessible
inspire
future PM
mindsets
spark
new
research
ideas
raise
awareness
of PM
research
outputs prompt
more PM
research
#FoPM
#FoPM
Virtuous
Cycle

9. #FoPM
A code of professional conduct about doing the right things?
‘Professional ethical
behaviour is about doing
things ‘right‛ so that it
complies with the norms of
ethical behaviour and public
interest such that it could, if
necessary, withstand
intense public scrutiny.’

10. Why would anyone want to
be project managed by you?

11. #FoPM

12. A Framework to Guide Us
https://sdgs.un.org/goals

13. Introduction, future trends and drivers
The project pathway to Net Zero
We need to talk about COP26
Today……

14. https://www.theccc.org.uk/
@ChiefExecCCC

15. The Net Zero Project Portfolio

16. Proportion of emissions reduction from technologies and
societal / behavioural changes

17. A Professional Obligation for Project Managers

19. We hope that every organisation managing projects or teaching project managers
in the UK will join us in making this commitment.
Sign up at uk.projectmanagersdeclare.com/
#projectmanagersdeclare

20. Selecting your Projects and
your Clients
• Is the project aligned with net zero
and 1.5 degrees?
• Understand the funders’ and
client’s sustainability framework.
• Will the project manager be able to
positively influence outcomes?
• Make these part of your own ‘go /
no go’ decision.
Influencing
Strategic Direction
• Encourage net zero requirements to
be part of the project vision or
blueprint
• Develop project requirements
aligned with net zero.
• Share emerging best practice and
innovation.
• Include net zero targets in Project
Board governance and approvals.
• Influencing
• Operational Direction
• Include net zero requirements in
supply chain procurement and
selection of the project team.
• Map clear roles and responsibilities
against each requirement.
• Set project KPIs that make net zero
a key measure of team and project
success.
Influencing
Project Delivery
• Ensure project team scope and
contracts are aligned with net zero.
• Include life cycle costing, and carbon
modelling.
• Report progress and assess change
against net zero requirements.
• Share lessons learned, research and
knowledge on an open source basis.
How can Project Managers Influence Net Zero?

21. An implementation plan

22. Source: LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide
The Project Pathway to Net Zero

23. Introduction, future trends and drivers
The project pathway to Net Zero
We need to talk about COP26
Today……

24. Themes
24
1. Energy transitions – national scale advice to building scale best practice
2. Development of zero carbon / low carbon transport
3. Climate ready liveable cities
4. Design of nature based solutions
5. Resilience and Adaptation

25. Opportunities for the profession
25
1. Deepen our relationships and influence, and build credibility
2. Collaborate through joint events and communications
3. Contribute meaningfully to initiatives that are driving systemic change
4. Catalyse and accelerate action by the profession
5. Make a commitment – sign up to #projectmanagersdeclare, set your own net
zero operations target validated by the Science Based Target initiative or Race
to Zero

26. We need to talk about………..
26
An Idea around the Sixth Carbon Budget
(https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/sixth-carbon-budget/)
How can your project
respond?

27. Key relevant sectors in the CCC Sixth Carbon Budget: Waste, Buildings
Sixth Carbon Budget recommended pathways
North London Heat and Power Project
Project Summary - Modernising Edmonton EcoPark. The existing plant has served north London well for nearly 50 years, and has
diverted more than 21 million tonnes of the non-recyclable waste which would otherwise have gone to landfill. The new facility will
manage up to 700,000 tonnes a year at a peak by 2051, even if we reach our 50% household waste recycling target. The project aims to
send virtually no waste to landfill
• Reduction in waste sector emissions required from 2020 to
2035, to zero in 2050
• Any new plants should be built with carbon capture and
storage (CCS) or CCS ready. All energy-from-waste plants
should fit CCS by 2050.
• Waste policy should include a ban on landfilling biodegradable
waste by 2025.
• EfW is part of the transition to net zero
• Waste policy should include recycling increasing to 70% by
2030.
• More policies are needed through the chain from
manufacturing to the consumer to reduce the amount of waste.
• Advocating lower carbon choices including policies are also
needed to reduce waste.
• No new gas boilers should be installed in existing homes
beyond 2033 (or 2025 for new homes)
• NLHPP will save equivalent of 215,000 tonnes CO2 each year,
saving of 20 million tonnes over the life of the scheme (carbon
screening report)
• NLHPP carbon strategy to be complete by end of April 2021,
including a clear carbon neutrality target
• CCUS strategy for ERF is underway to develop business case
for implementing carbon capture.
• RRF to manage around 135,000 tonnes of recyclable materials
every year, with expansion capacity as recycling levels
increase.
• Community education and engagement campaigns to help
families understand what to recycle.
• Low carbon heat from NLHPP will be supplied to 1000s of new
homes through the Meridien Water Heat Network
Project response (example only – to be completed)

28. Opportunities for the profession
28
1. Deepen our relationships and influence, and build credibility
2. Collaborate through joint events and communications
3. Contribute meaningfully to initiatives that are driving systemic change
4. Catalyse and accelerate action by the profession
5. Make a commitment – sign up to #projectmanagersdeclare, set your own net
zero operations target validated by the Science Based Target initiative or Race
to Zero

29. We hope that every organisation managing projects or teaching project managers
in the UK will join us in making this commitment.
Sign up at uk.projectmanagersdeclare.com/
info@projectmanagersdeclare.com
#projectmanagersdeclare
Thank you

30. We hope that every organisation managing projects or teaching project managers
in the UK will join us in making this commitment.
Sign up at uk.projectmanagersdeclare.com/
info@projectmanagersdeclare.com
#projectmanagersdeclare
Questions?