Today, environmental sustainability has become one of the fundamental pillars of project management. This is because every implementation can only continue as long as it is in harmony with the environment. In this context, a roadmap must be followed to ensure that project activities can achieve environmental sustainability. This roadmap aims to protect both natural resources and ecosystems. Strategies that can be applied step by step to reach the set goals must be developed. For these strategies to be determined, a planning process is required. The process planning phase should include carefully designed steps. In other words, it encompasses a process from the first step of the project to the last.

Sustainability is important for every project, and environmental sustainability is one of them. Environmental sustainability goals should be set as the first step in the mentioned roadmap and their feasibility should be tested. These goals vary depending on time, place, and conditions. They may include areas such as reducing the carbon footprint, minimizing water consumption, and waste management, as well as covering every aspect of the ecosystem.

Before starting activities towards environmental sustainability, a thorough analysis of the current situation must be conducted. In this regard, the environmental impacts of the project area and existing activities should be identified. This analysis includes both the environmental impact of the project’s implementation and the potential effects of environmental factors on the activities. In other words, these analyses also reveal the harmony between project activities and environmental factors, as well as the reasons for any discrepancies. Additionally, this analysis will help identify not only environmental risks but also opportunities.

As a result of the analyses, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report should be prepared to determine the environmental impacts of the project. The report focuses on the potential environmental effects of the project, based on the analyses. Potential environmental effects include impacts on air, water, soil, biodiversity, and human health. To make the report more effective and comprehensive, feedback should be obtained by engaging with local communities, government institutions, and other stakeholders. Adjustments can be made based on this feedback.

For the project to be sustainable, its design must include principles such as energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources, and the conservation of natural resources. Environmental sustainability varies depending on environmental factors, so time, place, and conditions should be considered. Therefore, sectoral practices should be closely followed, and best practices should be researched. Their applicability should be evaluated according to the project scope and, if possible, implemented in the project. Moreover, energy consumption is another important issue. Thus, minimizing waste should be a priority. In this direction, energy efficiency, water management, and waste management strategies should be implemented.

To implement the prepared strategies, a detailed plan must be created. The plan should include a timeline, resources, tasks, and responsibilities. This detailed planning can serve as a roadmap for sustainability during and after the project. To achieve the intended environmental sustainability, the project’s environmental performance should be regularly monitored and reported. This monitoring process will benefit the achievement of sustainability goals. In this way, progress can be evaluated.

Raising public awareness significantly contributes to environmental sustainability in every project. For this reason, local communities and stakeholders should be informed about the environmental benefits of the project. These awareness-raising efforts can take place through organizing seminars and training sessions or through activities such as distributing brochures or creating posters. If necessary, support can be obtained from different institutions and organizations for these awareness activities. It is possible to work together towards common goals. Lastly, continuous feedback should be collected to improve environmental performance, and processes should be updated accordingly. This allows for the addition of new strategies based on the situation. Innovative solutions and technologies in the field of sustainability should be researched and integrated into the project. Sustainability efforts that are continually updated by blending new technologies and trends maintain their success. In this way, the project becomes more robust in terms of sustainability.

Adapting to environmental sustainability can be seen as an indispensable part of project management. Projects that fail to achieve this may not be feasible. It is crucial for the project’s success. This process of ensuring environmental sustainability starts with preliminary preparation and planning, continues with environmental impact assessments, sustainable design, and resource management. Careful planning, implementation, and monitoring must be carried out at every step. Thus, it will be possible to minimize the environmental impacts of the project. At the same time, this will demonstrate that the project is built on solid foundations. In this way, concrete steps will be taken toward the goal of leaving a more livable world for the future.