---
reference_type: Principle
reference_id: P05
name: Integrate Sustainability Within All Project Areas
version: "1.0.1"
status: Deprecated
edition: PMBOK7
pmbok8_source: "PMBOK8 Standard \u00a73.7 \u2014 Integrate Sustainability Within All Project Areas"
authority: PMI-derived
---

# P05 — Integrate Sustainability Within All Project Areas
**Type:** Principle (PMBOK 8 — Active)
**PMBOK 8 Source:** PMBOK8 Standard §3.7 — Integrate Sustainability Within All Project Areas
**Version:** 1.0.1

> **Change log v1.0.1 (2026-06-03):** Corrected reference_id from P06 to P05 (PMBOK 8 5th
> principle). Corrected §Ref from §3.6 to §3.7 (Sustainability is the 5th principle; §3.6 is
> Be an Accountable Leader). Fixed SKL-03-NEW → SKL-03-18.

## Definition
Sustainability within project management, as defined in PMBOK 8 Standard §3.7, requires project practitioners to actively integrate environmental, social, and economic dimensions into all aspects of project delivery. A sustainable approach ensures that the project’s outputs, outcomes, and delivery processes do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This principle demands that project teams balance short-term progress with long-term ecological balance, community well-being, and ethical governance. Sustainability is not a separate workstream but a core lens applied across all planning, resource acquisition, risk management, and value delivery activities.

## Key Characteristics
- **Environmental Stewardship:** Teams actively work to minimize the project’s carbon footprint, optimize resource use, and eliminate waste through circular economy principles (§3.7).
- **Social Equity:** Projects must respect human rights, promote fair labor standards, ensure worker safety, and positive community relations (§3.7).
- **Economic Viability:** Financial models include life-cycle costing, post-project maintenance, and long-term economic ROI alongside short-term project budget boundaries (§3.7).
- **Integrated Decision-Making:** Sustainability objectives are evaluated concurrently with scope, schedule, cost, and quality during change control reviews (§3.7).
- **Future-Proofing Outcomes:** Deliverables are designed for resilience, adaptability, and sustainable decommissioning at the end of their lifecycle (§3.7).

## Relationship to Other Principles
| Principle | Relationship |
|---|---|
| P1 — Adopt a Holistic View | Sustainability demands a systems view — integrating ecological and social impact alongside project performance metrics. |
| P2 — Focus on Value | Sustainable value encompasses triple-bottom-line values — financial gains must be balanced against social capital and environmental health. |
| P3 — Embed Quality | High-quality deliverables are inherently sustainable — reducing the cost of rework, extending product lifecycles, and preventing resource waste. |
| P4 — Be an Accountable Leader | Leaders are accountable for integrating sustainability decisions — not delegating them as a compliance afterthought. |

## Artifact Connections
| Artifact | Connection |
|---|---|
| A08 — Scope & Requirements | Establishes the sustainability specifications and non-functional ESG requirements that govern product design and acceptance criteria. |
| A19 — Risk Management Record | Documents environmental, regulatory, and social risk categories, assigning risk ownership for ecological and compliance threats. |
| A26 — Resource Management Record | Tracks resource consumption, recycling efforts, and monitors team well-being to prevent workplace burnout. |

## Skill Connections
| Skill ID | Skill Name | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| SKL-03-18 | Integrate Sustainability Into Project Planning | The primary skill that establishes sustainability boundaries, registers ESG goals, and maps lifecycle impacts. |
| SKL-03-14 | Estimate Costs | Integrates lifecycle costs and environmental taxes into definitive financial estimates. |
| SKL-04-09 | Conduct Procurements | Applies ESG Vendor Scorecards to verify supply chain sustainability compliance during contracting. |

## Questions to Ask in Practice
1. Does our project plan actively minimize carbon emissions, water use, and material waste?
2. Have we evaluated our suppliers and subcontractors against strict ESG and fair labor standards?
3. How will the outputs of this project be decommissioned or recycled at the end of their lifecycle?
4. Have we checked for potential negative social impacts on local communities or stakeholder groups?
5. Are we considering long-term lifecycle maintenance costs, or just optimizing for immediate project budget limits?

---

*Authority: PMBOK8 Standard §3.7 — Integrate Sustainability Within All Project Areas · Source type: PMI-derived*
*Repository: https://github.com/fakhruldeen/PMOSkills*
