How green is your project? Social and environmental responsibility and the AGM

Members of North East branch spent the evening of Monday 27th April with the APM President, Tom Taylor, to look at some serious opportunities, challenges and dilemmas concerning how social and environmental responsibility fits with modern project management.  The Copthorne Hotel was the venue chosen and they provided a warm welcome to delegates who were able to spend valuable time networking and finding out about each others' organisations.

He set the the real life scene of the fast, demanding, regulated, value-for-money society with multiple diverse interests, into which managers of projects and programmes have their work cut out to deliver the necessary outputs and achieve the best outcomes. Tom explained how these main focusproject drivers are compounded when a whole new range of criteria are thrown in to the mix – covering sustainability, the environment and green issues – which in themselves are not clear, complimentary or consistent.

Expanding on issues raised in his book, Tom addressed a series of indicative interventions and features to stimulate and encourage managers on how and when they might address sustainability opportunities during their project lifecycle (or at least the stages in which they are involved).

Those in attendance were able to share the challenges and triumphs they have faced during projects on a wide range of sustainable elements.

Following on from this presentation the North East branch held their Annual General Meeting and selected the volunteer community that will lead the branch forward this coming year. The presentation material from the meeting is attached below.

North East branch