GPM Sustainability Competence Standard v2.1

GPM® · Version 2.1 · 2025

The GPM® Sustainability
Competence Standard

The world’s only performance-based competence standard for sustainability professionals and sustainable project managers. Rewritten from the ground up. Free.

10

Competence Units

2

Practitioner Tracks

Free

Always

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What’s Inside Version 2.1

Performance-based criteria across two practitioner tracks. Not a checklist — a measurable benchmark.

Performance-Based

Measurable, Not Declarative

Every competence unit has defined elements and performance criteria tied to real-world evidence. Competence is demonstrated, not claimed. The standard supports formal assessment for the CSPMs™ and CSPMx™ certifications.

Two Practitioner Tracks

Sustainability Leaders & Project Managers

The standard defines competence requirements for both sustainability leaders managing organizational commitments and project managers embedding sustainability into delivery. Eight units are shared; project managers have two additional units covering project-specific application.

New in v2.1

Regenerative Design Unit

Version 2.1 introduces a forward-looking Regenerative Design competence unit. It is not used for formal assessments at this stage but sets the standard for where the profession is heading — measurably enhancing system capacity rather than reducing harm.

Authored by Practitioners

GRI Standards and UN SDG Contributors

The standard is written by professionals who helped develop the GRI Standards and contributed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The criteria reflect current regulatory expectations, not academic frameworks.

Core Competence Units

10 units across two tracks. 8 shared. 2 additional for project managers.

Sustainability Leaders & Project Managers

Ethical Leadership
Living Systems Stewardship
Talent Acquisition, Retention, and Empowerment
Assessing and Responding to Sustainability Impacts
Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement
Sustainable Procurement
Change Management and Resilience
Regenerative Design Forward-looking

Additional for Project Managers

Project Design
Project Oversight

Each unit defines the activities a competent practitioner performs, the knowledge required, and the evidence that demonstrates performance. The criteria are designed for assessment, not self-reporting.

GRI

Standards Alignment

Built on the frameworks that matter

The competence units are grounded in GRI Standards, the UN SDGs, and the P5™ impact framework. Authors include contributors to both the GRI Standards and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The standard is the primary reference for the CSPMs™ and CSPMx™ certification programs.

GRI

Standards

UN SDGs

17 Goals

P5™

Impact Framework

CSPMs™

Certification Basis

Certifications This Standard Supports

The standard is the primary syllabus reference for GPM’s specialist and master-level certifications.

CSPP™ Certified Sustainable Project Professional — foundational certification. The entry-level credential, effective June 5, 2026 (formerly GPM-b™).
CSPMs™ Certified Sustainable Project Manager (Specialist) — assessed against the competence units in this standard. Demonstrates applied sustainability competence in project management contexts.
CSPMx™ Certified Sustainable Project Manager (Expert) — the highest level. Assessed against the full standard including advanced performance evidence across all competence units.

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GPM® Sustainability Competence Standard, Version 2.1

PDF · ©2025 GPM Global · The primary reference for CSPMs™ and CSPMx™ certification

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