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This article comes three months after my summary for 2023.  

In 2024, I propose to publish quarterly updates (vs. monthly in 2023) to leave more space in the PMI Belgium Chapter newsletter for other topics, so please also "pick up your pen" to write on a subject that motivates you!

The Climate trend continues into 2024

We are all aware that 2023 was a record-breaking year for the Climate including being the hottest year on record and with July and August the hottest months globally for 120,000 years.

February 2024 was globally the warmest on record according to Copernicus (EU Climate Change service) with Global Sea Surface Temperatures at record high. Air temperatures for Feb were 1.77°C warmer that pre-industrial average.

It's important that we face the Climate Crisis in a positive and purposeful way as that can be helpful to our personal sense of wellbeing as well as helping us as individuals, and together as professionals, to make the biggest positive impact.

We got 2024 off to a positive start with a Climate Fresk workshop on 6 Feb 2024 at the Park Inn, Leuven.

The workshop was a follow on from PMFair 2023 where many attendees expressed interest at the Climate Fresk booth to attend a workshop organised by PMI Belgium Chapter.

Eight people attended with positive feedback received from respondents:

• 4.8 (out of 5) for overall satisfaction with the organisation / conduct of the workshop
• 5 (out of 5) for the facilitator knowledge (Xavier Criel is one of Belgium's most experienced facilitators)
• 5 (out of 5) for the facilitators ability to create an open and caring environment for exchange and learning
• 3.6 (out of 5) for the debriefing phase - and translating negative emotions into impactful actions
• 100% of respondents would recommend attending a Climate Fresk workshop to PMI Belgium Chapter colleagues as well as to colleagues in their client / employer organisation.

Some personal experiences:

Here is "Hit the Heating Brakes!" (one of the great "Fresks" produced by the team):

 

and a team photo:

Our workshop was part of a wider European initiative which aims for over 550 workshop attendees by end 2024.

So far, we on track versus cumulative forecast with:

• 48 PMI workshop attendees
• 18 PMI European Chapters represented
• 7 facilitators trained

Interactions with colleagues from other PMI Chapters have given me the opportunities to hear the different perspectives from other countries, including:

• Ireland: concerned over the frequency and intensity of Atlantic storms,
• UK: rain, rain, rain!
• Netherlands: concern over the need to activate flood defences,
• Italy: flooding, and heatwaves,
• Hungary: no winter this year, heatwaves and drought impacting agriculture.

In 2023 we were relatively lucky in Belgium, the last major incident being the flooding in Wallonia back in July 2021.

I don’t think we should be complacent, and it would be great if PMI Belgium could contribute further to this initiative through further Climate Fresk workshops.

I was pleased to see the recent launch of PMI:Next, our new global strategy which includes a new Purpose statement: "We maximise project success to elevate our world".

The introductory video includes PMI member testimonies focusing on the UN Sustainability Goals (SDGs) with the quote:  "Global warming is affecting different communities around the world. So apply the knowledge that you have to reduce effects and to reduce the impact that we are making on our planet". 

I think this is a clear example linking Climate Action with PMI strategy.

I like the strategy's focus on project success and, as a PMI certified Program Management Professional (PgMP), I have focused throughout my career on delivering benefits. I have recently been in contact with the with the Global PMIstandards+ team on how we can strengthen the coverage of "Discounted Cash Flow" analysis in our standards. 

I have also shared examples of how we can extend that thinking to tacking the Climate Crisis in the form of "Discounted Carbon Flow".  If this topic interests you, please reach out to me (via the questionnaire link at the end of this article).

In conclusion...

With an El Niño pattern still in place, 2024 is likely to continue the trend of breaking global temperature records.

Whilst impacts were not severe in Belgium during 2023, this is not a reason to be complacent in 2024.

Let's continue with a positive and purposeful approach, together with our PMI colleagues across other European Chapters and Globally, towards "elevating our world" during 2024.

To help maximise impact, interest, and relevance, please take 2 mins to share your feedback via the following link.

Thank you!

Author: Stuart Thorp