GPM Global · Policy Document · Updated March 12, 2025

GPM® Environmental Regeneration Policy

This policy establishes GPM’s commitments to regenerative environmental practice across its operations, partnerships, and consulting engagements. It applies to all GPM staff, Accredited Training Partners, and third parties acting on GPM’s behalf.

GPM distinguishes regenerative practice from conventional sustainability on the basis of outcome: where sustainability aims to reduce harm, regeneration aims to restore and improve the condition of natural systems over time. Each section below identifies both the commitment and the disclosed evidence that the commitment is being met.

Progress against all commitments is reported publicly through GPM’s annual UNGC Communication on Progress, GRI 2021 Report, and CDP Climate Disclosure. All reports are publicly available at gpm.org.

1. Climate and Carbon

GPM targets net positive carbon impact — removing more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce. Net Positive Carbon status was achieved in 2025 and independently verified under ISO 14064-3:2019 and the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard. The target is maintained as an ongoing operational commitment, not a one-time achievement.

2025 Verified Carbon Results

Scope 1 emissions <10 tCO₂e
Scope 2 emissions <50 tCO₂e (renewable sources)
Scope 3 emissions 2,500 tCO₂e — 18% reduction year-over-year
Carbon removed 1,400 tCO₂e via DAC + reforestation
Net position Net Positive — Verified

Independently assured under ISO 14064-3:2019, GHG Protocol, GRI 305, CDP 2025, and IFRS S2. Full verification statement in the annual GRI Report.

Forward commitments

Maintain Net Positive Carbon status annually with third-party assurance of all emissions and removal data.
Prioritize Scope 3 reduction over offset, with annual reduction targets disclosed in the UNGC CoP.
Expand nature-based removal through reforestation, soil restoration, and direct air capture investments, with a minimum of 2,500 trees planted in 2025.
Integrate carbon-reduction criteria into procurement and supplier selection through the PMI-GPM P5™ Standard assessment framework.
Publish the Regenerative Carbon Methodology Framework in 2026.

2. Water Stewardship

As a service-based organization, GPM’s direct water consumption is limited. GPM’s primary water impact is through the projects it supports and the professionals it trains. Water stewardship requirements are built into project evaluation criteria under the PMI-GPM P5™ Standard and into supplier engagement conditions.

Apply WASH principles (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in all project areas where GPM provides consulting or capacity-building support.
Require supplier compliance with water stewardship policies as a condition of engagement, assessed through annual due diligence.
Integrate water risk assessment into project sustainability evaluations conducted under the PMI-GPM P5™ Standard.
Support watershed restoration through conservation partnerships, with progress disclosed in the annual UNGC CoP.

3. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration

GPM applies a no-net-loss standard to biodiversity in its own operations and requires biodiversity impact assessment in major consulting engagements. The reforestation component of GPM’s carbon removal program contributes directly to habitat restoration and biodiversity outcomes.

2025 Biodiversity Activity

Trees planted (Ambassador Program + Book Sales Offset Pledge) 1,000+
Zero-deforestation procurement policy In effect
Biodiversity disclosure framework TNFD-aligned

Forward commitments

Apply nature-positive design principles, including no net loss of biodiversity, to GPM-supported project engagements.
Require biodiversity impact assessments for major projects where ecological impact is a material risk.
Disclose biodiversity-related risks and outcomes in alignment with TNFD requirements, beginning with the 2025 reporting cycle.
Expand reforestation and habitat connectivity through GPM’s Ambassador Program, with a 2025 target of 2,500 trees planted.

4. Circular Economy and Resource Use

Circular economy principles are embedded in GPM’s consulting methodology through the PMI-GPM P5™ Standard. GPM supports client organizations in achieving circular certification through its organizational assessment programs and tracks client outcomes publicly.

2025 Circular Economy Results

Client organizations achieving circular certification with GPM support 6
Organizations piloting GPM project-level certification 14
Internal digital infrastructure transitioned to low-energy platforms 100%
Supplier adherence to Human Rights and Anti-Trafficking Policy 100%

Forward commitments

Apply waste reduction and material recovery principles to GPM’s own operations and events.
Eliminate single-use plastics across GPM offices and GPM-organized events.
Require circular economy compliance as a condition of supplier engagement.
Continue building client capacity for circular certification through GPM360°, PSM3, and OSEM assessment programs.

5. Governance, Accountability, and Reporting

Responsibility for this policy rests with the GPM Executive Leadership Team, with Board oversight through the annual governance scorecard. Environmental performance is reviewed quarterly. All disclosures are public, cross-referenced, and where applicable independently assured.

Disclosure Frequency Scope
UNGC Communication on Progress Annual Full disclosure of progress against regenerative commitments across carbon, water, biodiversity, and circular economy.
GRI 2021 Sustainability Report Annual Topic-specific disclosures on emissions, biodiversity, labor, and governance with GRI Content Index and source citations.
CDP Climate Disclosure Annual Climate change disclosure cross-referenced to UNGC CoP and GRI Report, including independent verification statement.
Net Positive Impact Report Annual Third-party assured carbon impact data including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and removal activities.
Framework Crosswalk Annual Cross-reference of UNGC CoP, GRI, and CDP disclosures by thematic area with gap analysis.

All reports are publicly available at gpm.org. This policy is reviewed annually and updated to reflect changes in applicable standards and GPM’s operational context.

6. Stakeholder and Partner Engagement

GPM’s engagement on regenerative practice operates through training, organizational assessment, supply chain standards, and international policy participation. All figures below are from the 2025 reporting year.

Training and certification Sustainable Project Management™ certifications and the Regenerative Leadership Program delivered across 25+ countries. P5™ Standard and PRiSM™ integrated into 20 university programs globally.
Organizational assessment Client organizations assessed using GPM360°, PSM3, and OSEM tools to identify environmental performance gaps. 14 organizations piloted project-level certification in 2025.
Supply chain Environmental and social criteria are conditions of supplier engagement. 100% adherence to GPM’s Human Rights and Anti-Trafficking Policy. Circular economy compliance required of all vendors.
Policy engagement Active participation in UNGC working groups, GRI forums, and international standards bodies. GPM has been a UNGC member since 2012 and was the first project management organization to join.

GPM Global · Environmental Regeneration Policy · Updated March 12, 2025 · This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.