GPMs Certified Sustainability Professional™ credential.

GPMs Certified Sustainability Professional™: Certification Submission Guide

Navigate the certification process step-by-step. Prepare your evidence effectively and understand requirements to attain GPMs Certified Sustainability Professional™ certification.

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Certified Sustainability Professional™ (CSP)

Lead the Future with Sustainable Business Practices

Drive real change and establish yourself as a leader in sustainability with the Certified Sustainability Professional™ (CSP). This globally recognized certification proves your expertise in building resilient strategies, integrating sustainable practices, and making decisions that create long-term value. Whether you're in corporate leadership, operations, or strategy, the CSP™ positions you to make a real impact.

Is the CSP™ right for you?

The CSP™ certification demonstrates your ability to integrate sustainability into business operations, navigate new regulations, and future-proof your organization. It applies across industries, from finance to manufacturing, tech, and beyond.

✅ 25% | Sustainability professionals with certifications report up to 25% higher salaries compared to their non-certified peers.

✅ 80% | Over 80% of global executives say sustainability is now a key driver of long-term business success.

🚀 Why Get CSP™ Certified?

✅ 1 in 3 | One in three companies now considers sustainability knowledge a critical skill for career advancement (Source: LinkedIn Green Skills Report).

✅ 80% | Over 80% of global executives say sustainability is now a key driver of long-term business success (Source: GPM Insights 2024).

✅ $12 Trillion | Sustainability-driven business models could unlock $12 trillion in economic opportunities by 2030 (Source: World Business Council for Sustainable Development).

📌 Sustainability skills are in demand—position yourself for success.

🔗 Why Choose GPM for Your Certification?

With so many sustainability credentials on the market, it’s critical to choose one that is credible, competency-based, and globally recognized.

✅ First to Certify in Sustainability-Based Project Management (Since 2011) – GPM pioneered this space and are now expanding it beyond the project domain.
✅ Adheres to ISO 17024 Certification Processes – Competency-based, not just an exam
✅ Structured Around the GPM Sustainability Framework – Practical, proven, and effective
✅ Trusted by Global Organizations, Governments, and Fortune 500 Companies

🚀 Build your sustainability expertise with the best.

Make an impact. Get certified.

Course curriculum

1. Overview of GPMs Certification
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Copy of GPM Evidence Guide
  FREE PREVIEW
1. CV or Resume Upload
1. Complete the following declaration
1. 1.1 Exhibiting leadership in Sustainability
2. 1.1.1 Demonstrates commitment to sustainable practices.
3. 1.1.2 Communicates a compelling vision for the sustainability initiatives they lead.
4. 1.1.3 Encourages others to take action to deliver positive social and environmental impact.
5. 1.1.4 Communicates the business case for sustainability to policymakers and other stakeholders.
6. 1.1.5 Advocates for adoption of green technologies among peers
7. 1.1.6 Prioritizes social and environmental well-being in their decision-making.
8. 1.2 Ensuring transparency and accountability in sustainability practices
9. 1.2.1 Communicates openly about their organization’s sustainability objectives and progress towards them.
10. 1.2.2 Provides input to organizational ESG disclosures and sustainability reporting.
11. 1.2.3 Takes responsibility for the sustainability initiatives they lead.
12. 1.3 Addressing ethical challenges in initiatives
13. 1.3.1 Responds proactively to ethical challenges.
14. 1.3.2 Seeks guidance from others to make informed, ethical decisions.
15. 1.3.3 Communicates transparently about actions taken to resolve ethical conflicts.
16. 1.3.4 Takes responsibility for the long-term impacts of their decisions.
17. 1.4 Enhancing personal capabilities
18. 1.4.1 Engages in professional development opportunities to stay current in sustainability and regeneration.
19. 1.4.2 Engages with sustainability networks and forums to learn from and share with others.
1. 2.1 Fostering support for the planet and all life
2. 2.1.1 Ensures compliance with environmental accords, treaties, laws, and regulations within their area of responsibility.
3. 2.1.2 Establishes and monitors goals, targets, and measures for the achievement of sustainability objectives within their area of responsibility.
4. 2.2 Protecting Biodiversity
5. 2.2.1 Supports initiatives to protect or enhance biodiversity within the context of their responsibility.
6. 2.2.2 Collaborates with relevant stakeholders in support of sustainable land and water use and protection of ecosystems
7. 2.3 Preserving natural resources
8. 2.3.1 Tracks and shares natural resource usage to support data-driven decision-making for reduction efforts within their area of responsibility.
9. 2.3.2 Takes action to reduce natural resource consumption within their area of responsibility.
10. 2.3.3 Collaborates with relevant stakeholders to minimize the use of natural resources within their area of responsibility
11. 2.4 Restoring ecological balance
12. 2.4.1 Tracks and shares greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to support data-driven decision-making for reduction efforts within their area of responsibility.
13. 2.4.2 Takes action to reduce pollution within their area of responsibility.
14. 2.4.3 Collaborates with relevant stakeholders to develop pollution prevention strategies for their area of responsibility
1. 3.1 Incorporating talent acquisition, retention, and empowerment into organizational culture.
2. 3.1.1 Helps to establish and maintain a workplace that values and respects all individuals.
3. 3.1.2 Provides training and education on talent acquisition, retention, and empowerment for individuals within their area of responsibility
4. 3.2 Supporting disadvantaged and at-risk groups
5. 3.2.1 Ensures compliance with accords, treaties, laws, and regulations related to non-discrimination.
6. 3.2.2 Advocates within their area of responsibility for policies, programs, and approaches that advance dignity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
7. 3.2.3 Engages with disadvantaged and at-risk groups to understand their needs and challenges.
8. 3.2.4 Takes action to support disadvantaged and at-risk groups within their area of responsibility.
9. 3.2.5 Cultivates dignity, diversity, equity, and inclusion within their area of responsibility
1. 4.1 Conducting comprehensive assessments of activities within their area of responsibility for sustainability impacts
2. 4.1.1 Collects relevant data on social, environmental, and economic performance
3. 4.1.2 Conducts data analysis to extract current insights and to anticipate long-term impacts.
4. 4.1.3 Identifies and assesses potential positive and negative impacts of activities.
5. 4.1.4 Conducts social and environmental audits to identify improvement opportunities
6. 4.1.5 Uses data to set specific and measurable sustainability targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs).
7. 4.2 Engaging stakeholders in the assessment process
8. 4.2.1 Actively seeks input to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of impacts
9. 4.2.2 Ensures transparency in the assessment process
10. 4.2.3 Communicates findings broadly and openly.
11. 4.3 Responding to positive and negative impacts
12. 4.3.1 Uses assessment tools to anticipate the effects of sustainability initiatives on stakeholders.
13. 4.3.2 Develops and implements responses to maximize positive impacts and minimize negative ones.
14. 4.3.3 Monitors the effectiveness of responses and adjusts as needed.
15. 4.3.4 Communicates and consults with relevant stakeholders on how to respond and the effectiveness of the responses.
1. 5.1 Fostering collaboration with stakeholders
2. 5.1.1 Seeks input from stakeholders to ensure that initiatives address their needs.
3. 5.1.2 Demonstrates responsiveness to feedback and suggestions from stakeholders.
4. 5.1.3 Engages with stakeholders to understand their sustainability needs.
5. 5.1.4 Demonstrates skill in navigating differing stakeholder interests and building consensus.
6. 5.2 Mediating conflicts among stakeholders
7. 5.2.1 Addresses conflicts and disagreements with and among stakeholders to reach mutually beneficial solutions.
8. 5.2.2 Facilitates win-win outcomes.
9. 5.3 Communicating with stakeholders
10. 5.3.1 Tailors communication approach for different contexts and different stakeholders.
11. 5.3.2 Considers the needs of stakeholders
12. 5.3.3 Responds in a timely manner to stakeholder inquiries and requests.
13. 5.3.4 Responds constructively to criticism.
14. 5.3.5 Addresses concerns raised by stakeholders.
15. 5.3.6 Contributes to ESG disclosures and sustainability reporting
16. 5.4 Promoting stakeholder inclusivity and diversity
17. 5.4.1 Engages with underrepresented stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard and respected.
18. 5.4.2 Engages and invites a diverse range of stakeholders to contribute to discussions and decision-making processes
19. 5.5 Promoting effective individual and team performance within area of responsibilty
20. 5.5.1 Establishes, communicates, and exhibits behavioral expectations.
21. 5.5.2 Monitors performance against expectations.
22. 5.5.3 Identifies and addresses individual and group development needs.
1. 6.1 Planning sustainable procurement activities
2. 6.1.1 Identifies and assesses sustainability risks and opportunities in the supply chain within their area of responsibility.
3. 6.1.2 Ensures procurement activities within their area of responsibility comply with relevant laws and regulations.
4. 6.1.3 Engages with relevant stakeholders to agree on priorities and performance expectations for procurement
5. 6.1.4 Aligns procurement strategy and objectives within their area of responsibility with the organization’s sustainability objectives.
6. 6.2 Selecting and engaging sustainable suppliers
7. 6.2.1 Applies evaluation criteria that include social, environmental, and economic measures to supplier selection.
8. 6.2.2 Conducts due diligence to ensure their supply chain protects human rights, uses ethical practices, and complies with environmental standards
9. 6.2.3 Incorporates sustainable procurement clauses with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) into contracts to monitor supplier performance.
10. 6.2.4 Evaluates their suppliers’ alignment with their organization’s sustainable procurement objectives.
11. 6.2.5 Facilitates open dialogue with their supply chain to promote innovation and continuous improvement of sustainability practices.
12. 6.3 Managing procurement reporting
13. 6.3.1 Regularly reports to relevant stakeholders on social, environmental, and economic impacts of procurement activities within their area of responsibility.
14. 6.3.2 Shares sustainable procurement achievements and challenges with relevant stakeholders.
15. 6.4 Managing procurement performance
16. 6.4.1 Measures procurement impacts against sustainability objectives using qualitative and quantitative metrics.
17. 6.4.2 Ensures corrective action where suppliers fail to meet sustainability commitments.
18. 6.4.3 Regularly reviews procurement practices to ensure alignment with internal sustainability standards, industry norms, and relevant laws and regulations.
19. 6.4.4 Implements improvements based on benchmarking reviews.
20. 6.4.5 Collaborates throughout their supply chain to refine and advance sustainable procurement practices.
21. 6.5 Engaging with the supply chain to strengthen sustainability practices
22. 6.5.1 Collaborates with the supply chain to set and achieve joint sustainability targets.
23. 6.5.2 Conducts supplier assessments to ensure compliance with internal sustainability standards.
24. 6.5.3 Provides support to the supply chain to help improve their sustainability performance.
1. 7.1 Supporting change initiatives within their area of responsibilty
2. 7.1.1 Communicates the business reasons driving the need for change.
3. 7.1.2 Cultivates commitment to and champions change initiatives.
4. 7.1.3 Provides a clear roadmap of the actions needed to achieve the change objectives.
5. 7.1.4 Uses ongoing feedback to ensure that change initiatives are firmly integrated into organizational operations.
6. 7.2 Building flexibility into change initiatives within their area of responsibility
7. 7.2.1 Designs change initiatives that can adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
8. 7.2.2 Monitors and evaluates social, environmental, and economic trends to anticipate potential changes.
9. 7.2.3 Identifies and assesses scenarios that could affect change initiatives.
10. 7.2.4 Develops responses to scenarios that could affect change initiatives.
1. Regenerative Design
2. 8.1 Striving for net-positive outcomes for social and natural systems
3. 8.1.1 Applies regenerative design in decision-making.
4. 8.1.2 Aligns design choices with global biodiversity goals.
5. 8.1.3 Uses systems thinking tools and techniques to analyze connections among social, environmental, and economic systems.
6. 8.2 Ensuring that design choices restore degraded ecosystems and enhance biodiversity
7. 8.2.1 Encourages regenerative design in their projects.
8. 8.2.2 Uses design-as-nature techniques to reduce the environmental footprint of projects.
9. 8.2.3 Facilitates awareness among stakeholders.
10. 8.3 Advancing regenerative outcomes through integrated design
11. 8.3.1 Ensures that regenerative solutions reflect a balanced integration of ecological, social, and cultural priorities.
12. 8.3.2 Establishes actionable frameworks that connect design choices to measurable long-term regenerative impacts.
13. 8.3.3 Creates innovation pathways that prioritize ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and human well-being
1. Upload qualifications and certificates
1. Preparing for the Assessor Interview
2. Copy of Next Steps - Competency Interview

About this course

$1,499.00
133 lessons
0 hours of video content

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GPMs Certified Sustainability Professional™: Certification Submission Guide

Certified Sustainability Professional™ (CSP)

🚀 Why Get CSP™ Certified?

🔗 Why Choose GPM for Your Certification?

Course curriculum

Introduction to Certification

CV or Resume

Candidate Declaration

1. Ethical Leadership

2. Living Systems Stewardship

3. Talent Acquisition, Retention, and Empowerment

4. Assessing and Responding to Sustainability Impacts

5. Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement

6. Sustainable Procurement

7. Change Management and Resilience

8. Regenerative Design (optional)

Supporting Evidence

Achieving Your Certification

About this course

Make an Impact.
Get Certified.